country house at Intwood. Danger threatens him. The fate
his old friend and patron has lately suffered may be his. After he
reaches it, let him make such arrangement of his affairs as he deems
necessary, and go into hiding. When the danger has blown over, he who
sends me will give him advice thereof; but if his enemies continue to
seek his life, he must remain concealed, or fly for safety to some
foreign land."

"Pardon me for my vehemence and rudeness, sir," said Ernst, when the
stranger ceased speaking. "I will thankfully convey your message; I
understand it clearly. My only fear is, lest I may have been observed,
as one of those engaged in the attack on the Spaniards, and may be
impeded on my way."

"I will take care of that," said the stranger. "I will watch you at a
distance, and, should you be stopped, will endeavour to obtain your
release. I may have more influence with the people in authority than
you may suppose. Now hasten away, you will not go so fast that I cannot
keep up with you; but remember that you must yourself deliver the
message to Master Gresham in person. Let it not pass through any other
hands. He will excuse you for your absence from school, and will
probably send a message to your master that may enable you to escape
punishment. Now hie thee away, lad. I will follow, and will go to thy
rescue, should any attempt to stop thee."

Ernst, thus understanding that his patron was in danger, tucked up the
skirts of his long gown closely round his waist, and hurried away at the
top of his speed. The stranger must have had to keep up a rapid pace to
hold him in sight. Ernst sped on. His chief fear was that he might
meet some of his companions, who would inquire the cause of his haste.
On he went. He saw several of them at a distance; but, by turning down
one lane and running up another, he avoided them. He forgot that in so
doing he should probably get out of sight of the stranger, but he little
heeded that: he rather trusted to his own adroitness than to any
assistance which might be given him. Breathless he reached the door of
his patron's house.

Hurriedly knocking, he was admitted. Master Gresham was out. He
hastened to the Lady Anne's apartments. With anxious looks she inquired
the cause of his coming.

"It is better that you should endure some alarm than that my dear master
should suffer evil," said Ernst, as he delivered the message which he
had received. "It will be we