The Justice whistled softly as he fitted the key in the lock. CHAPTER THIRTY ONE. HOW HE HEARD IT. "Why, what's this?" Mr Justice Roberts had opened the old press, tried all the drawers, and come at last to the secret drawer, of whose existence only he and his brother knew. No sooner had he applied his hand to a secret spring, than out darted the drawer, showing that it held a long legal-looking document, and a letter addressed to himself. He opened and read the latter, Margery standing quietly at a little distance. Slowly and thoughtfully, when he had finished the letter, he folded it up, pocketed it, and turned to Margery. "Ay, Madge," he said, "they are gone." "And not coming back, Master Anthony?" "Not while--well, not at this present. Madge, my brother would have me come hither, and take up mine abode here--for a while, look you; and methinks I shall so do." "Well, Mr Anthony, and I shall be full fain. I've been right trembling in my shoes this three days, lest them noisome pests should think to come and take possession--turn out all. Master's papers, and count Mistress Grena's partlets, and reckon up every crack in the kitchen trenchers; but there's nought 'll keep 'em out, even to you coming, 'cause they'll be a bit 'feared of you, as being a Justice of Peace. Ay, I am glad o' that." "`Noisome pests'! Why, whom signify you, Madge?" "Oh, catchpolls, and thirdboroughs [minor constables], and sheriffs, and hangmen, and 'turneys, and the like o' they," replied Margery, not very lucidly: "they be pests, the lot of 'em, as ever I see. They're as ill as plumbers and painters and rats and fleas--once get 'em in, and there's no turning of 'em out. I cannot abide 'em." Mr Justice Roberts laughed. "Come, Madge, you may as well add `Justices of Peace'; you've got pretty nigh all else. Prithee look to thy tongue, old woman, or thou shalt find thee indicted for an ill subject unto the Queen. Why, they be her Gracious' servants [`Grace's' was then frequently spelt `Gracious''], and do her bidding. Thou wouldst not rebel against the Queen's Majesty?" "I am as true a woman to the Queen's Grace as liveth, Mr Anthony; but them folks isn't the Queen nor the King neither. And they be as cantankerous toads, every one of 'em, as ever jumped in a brook. Do you haste and come, there's a good lad, as you alway was, when you used to toddle about the house, holding by my gown. It'll seem like old times to have you back." "Well, I can come at once," said the Justice, with a smile at Margery's reminiscences; "for my brother hath left me a power of attorney to deal with his lands and goods; and as he is my landlord, I have but to agree with myself over the leaving of mine house. But I shall bring Martha: I trust you'll not quarrel."