duties of which will keep thee near thy daughter, and,
moreover, the reward of such being not below the merit of him
who, by my knowledge, most honestly gained it, and is well
worthy. If it suit thee to accept the charge I have to offer,
the naming of which I shall defer until we meet, detach
thyself from thy present occupation, repair to London with
all likely haste, and seek me at my house when soon arrived.
"'(Signed) SIR THOMAS WINTER.'"

"Beshrew my heart, but thou art a ripe scholar, landlord, and much I
marvel to see one with such goodly learning wasting time on knaves
like these," cried the man, pointing to his companions at the table;
"and pray," he continued, "since myself hath been introduced in name,
I would know thine also, so I might thank thee the heartier."

"Giles Martin, for want of better," replied the host, "and dost thou
know this Sir Thomas Winter?" he inquired after a moment, still
looking at the note in his hand.

"Aye, and for a right brave gentleman, who hath done me noble
service."

"For one done unto himself, I take it, from the purport of the
letter?"

"A small service, not worth the mentioning," replied Fawkes. "Once in
Spain, a gentleman--the self-same Sir Thomas, was sorely set upon by a
surly ruffian, who, in exchange for his purse, would have given him
Paradise." Then with a deprecating wave of the hand, which he dropped
on the hilt of his rapier, "'twas but a weakly blow I turned, and
spitted the varlet with my good sword here. Zounds," he continued with
a voice full of enthusiasm, "for this petty act he did conduct my poor
motherless lass out of a country where, to the men, a pretty face is
as flint to powder, and brought her safe to London and her grandam."

"You saved his life; 'twas a worthy object and a worthy deed,"
exclaimed Martin heartily, who had been watching the speaker narrowly
during his narration.

"Tut, tut; 'twas nothing; but I take it thou hast acquaintance with
him," said Fawkes, turning toward the other, with a manner which
denoted surprise at the landlord's outburst of appreciation, "and may
direct me unto his residence, for after many years' absence I am
lately come, and illy versed in London's streets which are as crooked
as a blade that hath lain long in the fire."

"In truth, I do know where he lives," said Martin (then continued in a
lower tone as if speaking to himself) "and further, that he