But the loyal butler had his own duties to fulfil, and could not neglect them without exciting suspicion. Praying the king, therefore, to excuse him, he proceeded to serve supper, and while he was thus occupied, Margaret Rider, by his directions, brought a jug of metheglin for the king. For more than an hour Charles was left alone in the butler's pantry, but at the end of that time Pope reappeared. "I am now entirely at your majesty's service," he said. "Sit down, and take a cup of metheglin," said Charles. "I want to have a chat with you." After some hesitation the butler complied. "To prove that I place entire confidence in you, Pope," observed the king, "I will tell you what I desire to do, and possibly you can aid me. My object is to obtain a passage for France. Do you think I shall be able to find a vessel at Bristol to take me to Bordeaux?" "Very few vessels sail from Bristol to France, my liege. You had better hire a schooner for Cardiff or Swansea." "But I have no money," said Charles. "Mistress Jane Lane can procure any sum your majesty may require from Mr. Norton," replied Pope. "But of course she will be obliged to enter into explanations with him." "I should not feel uneasy on that score, because I know your master can be trusted," observed the king. "That is quite certain," rejoined Pope. "But with your majesty's leave, the first thing to be done is to ascertain that a vessel can be hired. There are plenty of ship-masters, plenty of ships, and plenty of seamen to be found at Bristol, but one doesn't know whom to trust. Or rather, I should say, one can't trust any of the skippers, since most of them are Roundheads. But if you desire it I will go with your majesty to Bristol to-morrow night. At the Dolphin, a tavern near the quay, frequented by seafaring men, we may be able to pick up some information." "But will it be safe for me to go to a tavern like the Dolphin?" "If I thought there was the slightest risk I would not offer to take your majesty there," replied Pope. "I am well known to David Price, the keeper of the tavern, and he will not question any one I may take to his house. Possibly we may obtain from him all the information we require. If I succeed in obtaining your majesty a passage to Bordeaux--or even to Swansea--I shall esteem myself the happiest of men." Shortly afterwards Pope conducted the king to the pretty little chamber prepared for him. Needless to say that his majesty slept soundly. CHAPTER VI. CARELESS BRINGS THE KING GOOD NEWS.