ith his sword, whereupon
the whole rascaille set on me, and as Master Alderman Headley can
testify, I scarce reached his house alive. I ask should favour overcome
justice, and a ringleader, who hath assaulted the person of an alderman,
find favour above others?"

"I ask not for favour," returned Headley, "only that witnesses be heard
on his behalf, ere he be condemned."

Headley, as a favourite with the Duke, prevailed to have permission to
call his witnesses; Christopher Smallbones, who had actually rescued
Alderman Mundy from the mob, and helped him into the Dragon court, could
testify that the proclamation had been entirely unheard in the din of
the youths looking on at the game. And this was followed up by Lucas
Hansen declaring that so far from having attacked or plundered him and
the others in Warwick Inner Ward, the two, Giles Headley and Stephen
Birkenholt, had come to their defence, and fallen on those who were
burning their goods.

On this a discussion followed between the authorities seated at the
upper end of the hall. The poor anxious watchers below could only guess
by the gestures what was being agitated as to their fate, and Stephen
was feeling it sorely hard that Giles should be pleaded for as the
master's kinsman, and he left to so cruel a fate, no one saying a word
for him but unheeded Lucas. Finally, without giving of judgment, the
whole of the miserable prisoners, who had been standing without food for
hours, were marched back, still tied, to their several prisons, while
their guards pointed out the gibbets where they were to suffer the next
day.

Master Headley was not quite so regardless of his younger apprentice as
Stephen imagined. There was a sort of little council held in his hall
when he returned--sad, dispirited, almost hopeless--to find Hal Randall
anxiously awaiting him. The alderman said he durst not plead for
Stephen, lest he should lose both by asking too much, and his young
kinsman had the first right, besides being in the most peril as having
been singled out by name; whereas Stephen might escape with the
multitude if there were any mercy. He added that the Duke of Norfolk
was certainly inclined to save one who knew the secret of Spanish sword-
blades; but that he was fiercely resolved to be revenged for the murder
of his lewd priest in Cheapside, and that Sir John Mundy was equally
determined that Giles should not escape.

"What am I to say to his mother? Have I brought