"With wind and tide against them, sir," he answered, squinting seaward down the river, "'twill be close on to seven o'clock before they are abreast the castle." I threw him a coin--one of King James'!--for his civility, whereat he thanked me profusely, and, bidding him not to mention it to any one, I wrapped my cloak around me and walked off again. Whatever I was to do, must be done under cover of the night. I was quite capable of confronting the King in broad day, to kill him if he had wronged a hair of my wife's head, but I was there to save her rather than to avenge her, and I did not propose to run any unnecessary or foolish risks, not because of fear for my person, but because I was bent on carrying out my plan for her dear sake. Therefore, I went calmly back to the Inn and partook heartily of a most noble repast. The landlord himself waited upon me, and when I whispered that I was on the King's business, but the matter was to be kept secret, seeing my uniform as confirmation, he was vastly flattered and promised ready compliance with any duty I might lay upon him. I assured his silence and good faith by a covert threat that His Majesty himself would resent any discussion of my presence among the gossips in the village. In the course of conversation, I learned, to my great satisfaction, that His Majesty had that day chosen to lie at Stenwold House instead of Sunderland Castle. This was an ancient seat belonging to my lord of that name, which had been graciously put to the disposal of this Royal Majesty, while its owner did the King's evil errand. I learned more, too: namely, that Jeffreys, he of the Bloody Assize, was also in Sunderland, where he had been holding his outrageous court. The landlord characterised him as: "A royal good gentleman, your honour, fond of wine and woman and gaming; hath been here in this very hostelry of mine three nights a-running." I knew something of the loose habits of the bloody villain, which, indeed, were no secret to any one well informed as to the doings of the court, and so far as I had formulated any plan I had counted upon this knowledge. For once Fortune was playing in my hands. "Think you he will be here to-night?" I asked, disguising my eagerness by assumption of indifference. "Ay, 'tis more than likely he will be, your honour." "Very good," said I. "When he comes, apprise me of the fact without mentioning it to him; I would fain surprise my lord--by the King's command! His Majesty loveth a jest and we have set a pretty trap for the Lord Chief Justice. 'Tis a wager, understand?" "Certainly, your worship," answered the landlord, rising to the question like a gudgeon to the baited hook as I slid a coin--another of the King's hoard!--carelessly over the table to him. Like all Englishmen, he was full of sporting blood and dearly loved a bet. "I understand, your excellency," he said as he pouched the guinea, which also he dearly loved. "Trust me, sir."