ommitted sacrilege and
robbery, as he could clearly show. In vain the boys looked round for
any one to plead their cause.

"Off with them to prison!" shouted Gardiner; "they are fit food for the
flames, which ere long they must be given to feed."

The rest of the accused were sent back to their prison, King Philip
being still in the country, and the Queen not being, as yet, willing to
commence the burning of her loving subjects. It was not till she was
left alone, deserted by her husband, that she gave full way to the
spirit of bigotry which dwelt in her heart.

"As for these lads," exclaimed the bishop, "let them be put in the
foulest dungeon in the Fleet, and that, I wot, is bad enough! In a few
days they will have the means of drying their clothes and limbs too, if
I mistake not."

The hearts of the two boys, which had hitherto held up bravely, now sunk
very low; but just at that moment, as Ernst cast one more imploring
glance round the court, a gentleman in a rich suit entered, and at once
going up to the lads, led them before Gardiner, the Chancellor. He
exchanged a few words with him, and seemed, by his gestures and the
expression of his countenance, to be pleading hard in their favour.

"Well, well, Sir John, you must have your way," answered the Bishop.
"If I mistake not, they will very soon be again within the power of the
court; and another time, remember, they will not escape so easily." The
priest, seeing that his victims were about to escape him, addressed the
Chancellor, but was quickly silenced; and Sir John De Leigh, in triumph,
led the boys out of the building. The priest scowled fiercely at them
as they passed.

"I know that Father Overton--he will try to work you mischief," observed
Sir John; "but you must keep out of his way. These vultures, when once
they fix their talons on their prey, like not to have it torn away from
them, and will follow it eagerly, in the hopes of regaining it."

Ernst and A'Dale found a horse in readiness, held by a groom, on which
Sir John told them to mount; and together they rode back over London
Bridge, between the row of houses which rose up above them on either
side.

On their arrival at the house in Lombard Street, the Lady Anne hurried
downstairs, cordially welcoming Ernst, while little Richard followed,
and threw his arms round his neck in his joy at his recovery.

"I cannot thank you enough, Sir John, for all you have done for us," she
said, as the