It was, therefore, three days and a half after our departure that we staggered into Monkwearmouth, and drew rein before the Boar's Head Inn, hard by old Saint Peter's Church. I was familiar with the village and the town of Sunderland across the river, where in all probability we should find the King. Before I was promoted to the Royal Guards, I had been in garrison at Sunderland Castle. This knowledge would stand me in good stead. I am a man who remembers those things, and I was glad that King James had elected to meet his pander at Sunderland. Of course I run some risk of being recognised there, but it had been half a score of years since I had visited the town and I had little to fear from that chance; little or much, however, that risk of such recognition had to be run. It was close on to noon when we reached the Inn. Requesting food and a good rub-down for our tired horses, which Macleod was to look to, and ordering dinner to be served in a private room and to be ready within an hour, I made my way to the waterside. I had carefully fixed in my mind the lines of the brigantine which had carried away my wife, and I was concerned with anxiety to see if she were in the river yet. There were a number of ships on both sides of the river: some tied up at the wharves and quays, others anchored in mid-stream. Not one of them was the vessel for which I looked. I was most careful in my scrutiny, and I could swear that I was right. This gave me great relief and satisfaction; I was in time. Indeed, in spite of our delay, we had pressed on so furiously that it was most probable that we had arrived a little ahead of them, for out at sea I discerned several specks that might be ships, one of them possibly the brigantine carrying my wife. The tide, however, was beginning to ebb, and it would be five or six o'clock at least before they could beat up against the off-shore breeze and anchor abreast the town. Mightily comforted by my observations, I suddenly bethought me to make my assurance double sure--as Master Shakespeare saith--for I repaired to the office of the harbour-master and demanded speech with that functionary. I was still wearing my guardsman's uniform. I intended to change it for a more sober and less distinctive garment at the first opportunity, but I was glad now that I had not yet done so, for it won me instant respect and prompt answer from the old sea-dog who had charge of the water-front and the shipping. I threw prudence to the wind and questioned him freely. "Hath Lord Stenwold and a party from Scotland arrived with a prisoner for the King? 'Tis an affair of State which, of course, you will not mention." "Not yet, your honour," answered the man, "but I expect them in with every tide; their vessel is in the offing now, I believe." "And how long do you think it will be before they make a landing?"