"Please, your honour, and craving your pardon, I doubt if the visitor will take your dismissal thus easily: it is Sir William Anson, the Sheriff of London." Sir John rose hastily from his chair, and Susan ran from the couch whereon she was seated to her uncle's side. "Oh, uncle," she cried, as she flung her arms around his neck, "he comes, surely, on the Queen's business; the fatal hour has come. Oh God, help us!" "Courage, dear one!" whispered Sir John in her ear. "Sir William is a friend of mine; his errand may be but one of friendly inquiry. Compose yourself; remain in the library, you may hear all that he has to say." Then he bade Robin admit the late visitor. A moment later the Sheriff entered the room, bowing low to both its occupants as he did so. He was a man of stately presence, his dress of sombre colours yet of rich material. He advanced towards Sir John with extended hand, and his handsome face was lit up with a cordial smile. Susan's heart was reassured as she marked his friendly behaviour; but Sir John's eyes were fixed upon a small gold chain of office which the Sheriff wore around his neck. "He comes officially, on the Queen's business!" said Sir John within himself. Sir William seated himself at the invitation of the Treasurer. "Tell me, first, Sir John," he said, "how your gallant nephews fare. It is a scandal to London that such an outrage could happen on our own river; but we are overrun with foreigners, outlaws and riffraff of all sorts; we must see to it!" Then, hearing a good report of the lads, he thanked Heaven for the news, and therewith glanced nervously towards Susan. Sir John perceived his difficulty. "You have something private to say to me, Sir William," he said; "you may say it before my niece, I have no secrets from her." "I can understand that, Sir John," said the gallant Sheriff, with a courtly smile as he bowed towards Susan. "I will therefore tell you plainly and fully why I am come to you at so untimely an hour. "Yet let me ask you both to keep my visit from the knowledge of others, for I am exceeding my office to-night, and might be called in question for what I do." Sir John and Susan gravely bowed assent. "It is respecting one of your noble boys, William Jefferay, that I have come hither. To-night I come as your friend and well-wisher, but to- morrow, alas! I shall bring you a warrant for his arrest in the Queens name and by order of the Court of the Star Chamber." Sir John gave a low groan, and poor Susan hid her fair face in her hands. "You will ask me why I come to you to-night with this sad news," said the Sheriff, with real sympathy in his kindly heart. "I will tell you why I come. My warrant commands me to possess myself of William Jefferay's body, and to commit it forthwith to Her Majesty's prison at the Fleet.