"Well, then, make haste," said Elizabeth, pausing.

"Thou art friends with Alice Mount, of Bentley, and she knows Mistress
Ewring, the miller's wife."

"Ay; well, what so?"

"Bid Alice Mount tell Master Ewring there's like to be a writ out
against him for heresy and contumaciousness toward the Church. Never
mind how I got to know; I know it, and that's enough. He, and Mistress
Silverside, and Johnson, of Thorpe, be like enough to come into court.
Bessy, take heed to thy ways, I pray thee, that thou be not suspect."

No thought of herself had caused Elizabeth Foulkes to lay her hand
suddenly on the buttress of Saint Peter's, beside her. The father who
was so dear to little Cissy was in imminent danger; and Cissy had just
been asking God to send somebody to see after him. Elizabeth's voice
was changed when she spoke again.

"They must be warned," she said. "Robin, thou and I must needs do this
errand to-night. I shall be chidden, but that does not matter. Canst
thou walk ten miles for the love of God?"

"I'd do that for the love of thee, never name God."

Elizabeth did not answer the words. There was too much at stake to lose
time.

"Then go thou to Thorpe, and bid Johnson get away ere they take him.
Mistress Wade has the children, and she'll see to them, or Alice Mount
will. I must--"

"Thou'd best not put too much on Alice Mount, for Will Mount's as like
as not to be in the next batch."

"Lord, have mercy on us! I'll go warn them--they are with Mistress
Ewring at the mill; and then I'll go on to Mistress Silverside. Make
haste, Robin, for mercy's sake!"

And, without waiting for anything more, Elizabeth turned and ran up the
street as fast as she dared in the comparative darkness. Streets were
very rough in those days, and lanterns would not light far.

Old Mistress Silverside lived in Tenant's Lane, which was further off
than the mill. Elizabeth ran across from the North Hill to Boucher's
Street, and up that, towards the gate, beyond which the mill stood on
the bank of the Colne. Mr Ewring, the miller, was a man who kept early
hours; and, as Elizabeth ran up to the gate, she saw that the lights
were already out in the windows of the mill. The gate was closed.
Elizabeth rapped sharply on the window, and the shutter was opened, but,
all being dark inside, she could not see by whom.

"Prithee, let me through the gate. I've a message of import for Master
Ewring, at the mill."

"Gate's