. Be here to-night as the sun sets. Take this
bow and dirk; and farewell, my friend, till we meet again." And he left
me.

CHAPTER NINE.

HOW I CAUGHT THE MISERICORDE.

So restless and anxious was I as the day passed that I hastened back to
my hiding-place in the wood early in the afternoon, determined rather to
lie there than run the risk of being seen in the village. It was well I
did so, for I had not been there half-an-hour when I heard Ludar's heavy
tramp crashing through the underwood.

He threw himself beside me, haggard and dejected.

"How is she to know of this?" said he.

"Tell her," I answered.

He smiled scornfully.

"Had you ever seen the maiden," said he, "you would know that it is no
light task. She has me at arm's length. If I tell her of her peril and
offer my protection she will perhaps say she needs not my protection, or
that, if I like not the peril, I need not face it. Or she may suspect
me of serving myself while I denounce my enemy. Or she may take the
case to Sir William, whom I believe to be the Captain's friend. To
speak plain, Humphrey, I am afraid to speak to her, and for that reason
I have come to you."

"Indeed," said I; "if she would not hear you, how would she be like to
heed a plain London 'prentice like me?"

"At least she would not suspect you of any motive but that of serving
her."

Little he knew! Yet I never saw him less courageous or more humble than
now. He was a rude, uncouth outlaw, he said, and knew none of the arts
and speeches of a fine gentleman. She laughed at his clumsy ways and
despised his ignorance. She would as soon think of trusting her safety
to him as to this elderly rascal Laker.

I did my best to reason with him, but in vain. At length, by sheer
compulsion, he dragged me with him towards the park, reminding me of my
vow, and bidding me, as I loved him, be his deputy in this matter.

By a lucky fortune, as we approached the gate, who should ride up on her
palfrey but our maiden herself. She was alone and without attendant.
Ludar told me afterwards that such was her wont. Once he had offered
his escort, and she had replied he might come if he could promise her
merrier company than her own. "Whereat," said Ludar, "I stayed behind."

She reined up as she saw us in the path before her, and a flush of
surprise and pleasure sprang to her cheeks. How much may a man see in a
moment! As she sat there, glowing with her rapid ride, and