Among the Roman Catholic gentry of the period, all of whom were Royalists, there was necessarily a good deal of private communication, conducted chiefly through the medium of the priests. Thus secret intelligence was conveyed to Father Huddlestone of the king's arrival at White Ladies, and it was through Father Huddlestone that John Penderel was enabled to secure a place of refuge for Lord Wilmot. It was from the same quarter that the fugitive king's movements were first made known to the good priest and his patron. Every preparation had been made at Moseley Old Hall so that the king could be got into the house secretly. It being now past midnight, all the servants had long since retired to rest. Four persons only were on the alert. These were Lord Wilmot, who remained in his bedchamber; Father Huddlestone, who was stationed in a close, called the Moore, adjoining the mansion; Mr. Whitgreave, who had repaired to another close, called Allport's Leasow, and concealed himself in a dry pit, covered with trees; and Major Careless, who was watching for the king and his companions at the entrance of a long lime-tree walk that led to the ancient mansion. Careless had to wait there more than an hour, but at length was rewarded by the appearance of the party, and satisfied that he could not be mistaken, went forth to meet them. A cordial greeting passed between Charles and his favourite, and the latter heartily congratulated his majesty on his safe arrival. "I had begun to feel somewhat uneasy," he said. "But I knew your majesty was well guarded." "Truly, I have been well guarded," said Charles, looking gratefully at his attendants. "But thou wilt be astonished to hear that we have had an encounter with Colonel Ashenhurst. We owe our escape to a device of that clever little page Jasper." "What do I hear?" cried Careless. "Has your majesty seen Jasper?" "I have only just parted with him," replied Charles. "Nay, do not trouble yourself. He is safe enough. I left him at Pendeford Mill." "This is good news, indeed!" cried Careless, joyfully. "I knew it would delight thee," said Charles, smiling. "But let us to the house. Art thou appointed to do the honours?" "Mr. Whitgreave is at hand," replied Careless. "If your majesty will be pleased to walk on a little further, I will present him to you. You will find him a most excellent host." They then marched quickly along the lime-tree walk, until they came to the close which we have said was designated Allport's Leasow. Here Careless gave the signal agreed upon, and Mr. Whitgreave, who had passed a very anxious hour in the dry pit, immediately issued forth from it. "Do not present him," said the king, in a low voice, as his host approached. "I should like to see whether he will recognise me." For a moment or two, Mr. Whitgreave was perplexed.