It is a well-formed and capable style, clerkly and
yet gentlemanlike.
Comfort, he cried, after bleak and miry moors, and
I have aglimpse of the supper you promised me.
He pulled forward a high-backed Restoration chair,
and placedbefore it a footstool.
The servants had moved to the back of the room, and
stood in theshadow like guards at attention. It is a noble meal which is now
cooking, said the Spainneach.
Nevertheless I fear that I must outrage your ears,
madam. Ay, and I will tell on him tothat puling miss in the Green
Chamber.
His Highness has asingular passion for gentry of
that persuasion. We go to do justice on a traitor, said Alastair, and told him
themain lines of the story.
It was in gloom, but a lamp burned at the far end,
and tothis Alastair directed himself. To his surprise he found that his attitudeto
Kyd had changed. I have abeard weeks old, and my costume is not my own.
Youll have to answer to me for that, my
man.
Evidence should be collected before the court
sat.
You ken mysecret, madam, which I had meant to
impart to you when an occasionoffered.
Once or twice, as hefound what he hoped and yet
feared to find, an exclamation waswrung from him. There you have anotherdocument
narrating conversations with the trusting Jacobites of theMarches.
But you are come opportunely,for you can give me
counsel.
He held out a cordial hand, which the young man
leftunnoticed.
Im joyful to see ye again, for I feared ye had come
by foul play. Proceed with your second and graver charge, sir, she
said.
Yeve happened on a rare to-do at the Sleeping Deer.
But against Sir John Norreys he felt a furious hatred. The pity of it that he has
set his heart on that baby-faced wench. For that reward which is usual to traitors
in times of civilstrife.
SuddenlyAlastair found his ankles free, and with a
desperate scramble triedto rise.
Her answer was what Claudia Norreyss had been in
that very room. I am back in Lees again, and take myorders from Captain Maclean.
Alastair bundled the papers into the bag, andleft the room followed by two pairs of
wolfish eyes.
The other was fingering the rings on a tally-stick.
Mr Kyd is in his chamber, cleansing himself of the stains oftravel and humming
merrily.