For a moment I considered whether it would be possible to ambush the party who would bring Lady Katharine to the shore and sweep her away from them as soon as they landed. But I reluctantly abandoned that idea. We two could do little with so many as they would be. We must try strategy instead of force. I had devised a better plan. I could not wait until the brigantine anchored, not even to catch a glimpse of my Lady Katharine as they landed. We trotted at a sharp pace back to the Inn, where the landlord gave me further interesting news: he advised me privately that Lord Jeffreys had sent a messenger there to say that he expected to pass the evening and the night at the Inn,--I had intended to summon him myself otherwise,--he was coming incognito, and a certain dame was to be notified to meet him. I laughed. "By the King's command, I'll be the only lady that he'll see." "It will be a royal jest," said the landlord, also greatly amused. "His Majesty will be much pleased when he hears of it," said I. "I hope, sir, that the King may be pleasured, indeed," said he. "No doubt of it," I returned. "And you will tell him, please your honour, that I did my small part to your entire satisfaction, sir?" "I will see that your zeal is properly rewarded." "What must I do further?" asked the delighted landlord. "This," said I: "since his lordship is coming on an errand of love,"--I paused; the landlord nodded,--"he will require a private room in which to receive the person whom he expects to meet. Do you contrive that I shall be there in her place." "And what then, sir?" "Nothing then," said I, laying my finger by the side of my nose. "I shall do all the rest. My lord will require the room for the whole night and must on no account be disturbed. The lady must not be notified." "You mean no harm to the King's Justice? Forgive the question, your excellency," said the landlord, rather anxiously. "'Twould be a hanging matter to meddle with him, my good friend. Rest easy; his Majesty loves his Chief Justice and would not have a hair of his head harmed. Know you my Lord Jeffreys' seal?" "I happen to know it, for he hath despatched letters by me. I have seen it on all papers I take from him, and his signet ring as well." "Good! This is a most secret business," said I, "and, while you would doubtless be well rewarded for your assistance, I would not answer for your head should you betray me." I softened this threat with another guinea--King James' again! "The King is a royal paymaster," I added knowingly. "Everything, your excellency," said the landlord, now completely at my disposal, "shall be exactly as you wish it." "And I myself," I continued, "am not without interest at the court. This night the King will deny me nothing. I am sure you seem a man to be trusted; there is a lady in the case, you comprehend?" Of course he comprehended!