the rebels under Wyatt attacked the church. Thou wert among
those who stripped the altar, and endeavoured to carry off the silver
candlesticks. Young heretic and traitor that thou art! Off to the
Fleet with him! I wot that his father and friends are as bad as he is;
and when they come to look for him they shall be secured likewise. I
can swear to his countenance. See! he trembles and turns pale. He is
guilty, there is no doubt of it."

"Indeed I am not, master!" exclaimed Ernst. "At the time you speak of,
I was on the north side of the river. Only once, when I entered London,
did I ever cross London Bridge."

"Thou wouldest swear to any falsehood, young traitor," answered the
priest. "Thy word is of no value."

"But I can swear that he did not cross London Bridge on that day!"
exclaimed Andrew A'Dale, who had been at some little distance from Ernst
at the time, but, seeing him seized hold of by the guard, had hurried
up, and heard the last remarks of the priest.

"Ah, ah!" exclaimed the priest, looking at Andrew, "why, of course thou
wilt swear anything for thy companion, for thou wert there thyself. Thy
nature is shown clearly enough, because thou didst not shout for the
good Queen Mary and her loving spouse. Seize him also: carry them both
away to the Fleet. They are a brace of traitors and heretics. Away
with them! Away with them!"

On this both the lads were seized, and, in spite of all their
expostulations and assertions of their innocence, were being dragged off
by the officers of the so-called justice. At that instant, a
richly-dressed gentleman on horseback, who had for some reason remained
somewhat behind the royal party, was passing by in order to rejoin them.
Observing the youth struggling in the hands of the guards, he turned
his head aside. He gave a second glance at Ernst's countenance, and
after doing so stopped his horse, and made a sign to the guard to allow
the boys to approach. "What, my lad," he exclaimed, "have you been
breaking the peace? Of what crime are you accused?"

Ernst looked up at the speaker, and recognised Sir John De Leigh.

"I am wrongfully accused of having been, with other boys, at the church
of Saint Mary Overy when it was sacked; but to my knowledge I have never
been near the place, and during the whole of that day was on the north
side of the river."

"I believe your words, my boy, and will see what can be done for you,"
answered Sir John.

He spoke t