_Mosbie._ Tell me, sweet Alice, how shall I escape? 350 _Alice._ Out at the back-door, over the pile of wood, And for one night lie at the Flower-de-luce. _Mosbie._ That is the next way to betray myself. _Greene._ Alas, Mistress Arden, the watch will take me hers, And cause suspicion, where else would be none. _Alice._ Why, take that way that Master Mosbie doth; But first convey the body to the fields. [_Then they bear the body into the fields._ _Mosbie._ Until to-morrow, sweet Alice, now farewell: And see you confess nothing in any case. _Greene._ Be resolute, Mistress Alice, betray us not, 360 But cleave to us as we will stick to you. [_Exeunt Mosbie and Greene._ _Alice._ Now, let the judge and juries do their worst: My house is clear, and now I fear them not. _Susan._ As we went, it snowed all the way, Which makes me fear our footsteps will be spied. _Alice._ Peace, fool, the snow will cover them again. _Susan._ But it had done before we came back again. _Alice._ Hark, hark, they knock! go, Michael, let them in. _Here enters the Mayor and the Watch._ How now, Master Mayor, have you brought my husband home? _Mayor._ I saw him come into your house an hour ago. 370 _Alice._ You are deceived; it was a Londoner. _Mayor._ Mistress Arden, know you not one that is called Black Will? _Alice._ I know none such: what mean these questions? _Mayor._ I have the Council’s warrant to apprehend him. _Alice._--I am glad it is no worse. Why, Master Mayor, think you I harbour any such? _Mayor._ We are informed that here he is; And therefore pardon us, for we must search. _Alice._ Ay, search, and spare you not, through every room: Were my husband at home, you would not offer this. 380 _Here enters Franklin._ Master Franklin, what mean you come so sad? _Franklin._ Arden, thy husband and my friend, is slain. _Alice._ Ah, by whom? Master Franklin, can you tell? _Franklin._ I know not; but behind the Abbey There he lies murdered in most piteous case. _Mayor._ But, Master Franklin, are you sure ’tis he? _Franklin._ I am too sure; would God I were deceived. _Alice._ Find out the murderers, let them be known. _Franklin._ Ay, so they shall: come you along with us. _Alice._ Wherefore? 390 _Franklin._ Know you this hand-towel and this knife? _Susan._--Ah, Michael, through this thy negligence Thou hast betrayed and undone us all. _Michael._--I was so afraid I knew not what I did: I thought I had thrown them both into the well. _Alice._ It is the pig’s blood we had to supper. But wherefore stay you? find out the murderers. _Mayor._ I fear me you’ll prove one of them yourself. _Alice._ I one of them? what mean such questions?