u must assume the same disguise I wear," I answered; "I have it
prepared for you. They have allowed you, I see, a pallet-bed. You must
leave your clothes upon it, stuffed out as we can best arrange them; so
that, should the warder look in, he may suppose you to be asleep.
Quickly put on these monkish habiliments. I have already spoken to them
of having a companion; and I hope, before they expect any deception, we
may have got outside the prison gates."

Master Overton quickly understood what was necessary to be done, and,
dressing himself in the friar's robes I had brought under mine, soon
appeared quite as respectable-looking a friar as I did.

"We must frame an excuse for leaving the prison so soon," I observed.
"I must assert that the prisoner is too obdurate to be moved at present;
and that, unless he is subjected to a little more discipline, I fear
that we cannot hope to be successful."

I now spoke loud enough, should the warder be passing, to let him
suppose that I was arguing with the prisoner. After some time my voice
rose higher and higher. At length I whispered to him, "It is time that
we should set forth." He was more agitated than I should have expected.

"I cannot go in my own strength," he said. "Let us kneel down and
pray."

We did so, and rose greatly refreshed.

"Now," he said, "I am prepared."

I had a staff such as friars were accustomed to use, and requested him
to take it. Pressing against the door, I gladly found it opened. I had
marked the way we came, and was thus able to go forth without
hesitation, till we reached the door where the jailer was stationed.

"Father Peter and I have had hard work," I said, as I saw him, "and I am
afraid we have made but little way. However, we must not despair, and
hope to come again to-morrow."

The jailer looked from me to the pretended Father Peter. It was a
critical moment.

"We must not delay," I observed, "for we have several more heretics to
visit. Come along, Father Peter, come along!"

The jailer, deceived by my coolness, and either believing or pretending
to believe that my companion had been admitted by his fellow, drew forth
the key of the door, and, pulling back the bolts, to my infinite
satisfaction opened it. I almost shoved the seeming Father Peter out of
the door in my eagerness to get him free, and, bestowing a blessing on
the jailer, I followed him into the street. But I did not consider that
we were clear of danger.