-------------- The clocks were striking ten as the envoys entered the palace of Lambeth; they were conducted immediately to the Cardinal's presence. He was busily writing as they entered the audience chamber. It was plainly furnished; there were no luxuries, no ostentation here. He rose to greet them, and, as he did so, his wan face lit up with a kindly smile. They knelt on one knee and kissed the hand he extended to them. "Welcome, my sons," he said; "you come from St. Quentin and Calais, Sir John Jefferay tells me, as envoys from the King." Geoffrey bowed low as he handed their credentials to the Cardinal, among them a letter from Philip to his Eminence. This letter Cardinal Pole proceeded to read at once. "I perceive," he said at length, "that his Majesty is greatly concerned respecting the condition of Calais, and that he sent ye thither that you might report to the Government the true state of things in that town." Geoffrey then presented to the Cardinal a letter from the Lord Wentworth, in which the urgent needs of Calais were set forth for the Government's information. Pole read this carefully. "My sons," he said, "you have been eye-witnesses of the things of which this letter treats; now tell me what you have seen; I know that you are good men and true, and that you will neither conceal nor exaggerate the needs and condition of the town of Calais." Then Geoffrey proceeded in grave and carefully considered words to give their report. He spoke of the weakness in numbers of the garrison, and of their inefficiency through age and decrepitude. He set forth the lack of the munitions of war, the antiquity of the artillery and the means of defence generally. He described the ruinous condition of the fortifications, and especially the state of the moats. And to all this William and Ralph testified their assent. Then the Cardinal questioned them on many points, and the envoys duly replied. "These things must be remedied, and I will see Lord Arundel about them to-day," said the Cardinal. "I hear that the English contingent return home shortly; it may be possible to induce some of them to re-enlist for the defence of Calais under Lord Gray, who knows the town well. At any rate, I thank you heartily for your report, and the matter shall be taken in hand at once. "Now tell me, when last did you see King Philip?" "Four days since, at St. Quentin," replied Geoffrey. "You must have travelled very quickly," said the Cardinal. "We did not spare our horses, your Eminence," replied Geoffrey, with a smile. "You are brave young soldiers," said Pole warmly, "and you deserve well of your Queen and country. "I will inform her Majesty of your return to London, and as I know that she greatly desires to hear news from St. Quentin, I doubt not but that she will send for you. Hold yourselves at liberty to come to Court to- night. If the Queen be sufficiently well to receive you I will send you a message to that effect.