Their dialogue was interrupted by sounds in the hallway outside; a scraping and shuffling of heavily-shod feet, with something that resembled the strokes of a wooden mallet upon the stone flags, administered in regular repetition. It was no mystery, however, either to the Governor or the knight, both already aware that they were to see a man with a wooden leg. Which they did, as the door was again pushed open, and the usher entered for the third time, conducting in Jerky Jack and his sister, the sergeant bringing up the rear. CHAPTER TWENTY SIX. A DESPATCH CUNNINGLY CONVEYED. The officers had separated into two groups, one on each side the Governor, as the odd trinity of personages was presented to him; these, as they came up, falling into line--Rob on the right, the woman left, and Jack central, as a pollard between two tall trees. Not yet aware of his colonel being in the room, the sergeant, as introducer of the other pair, was about to make known their business--of which Winny after all had given him a hint--when Sir Richard stepped forward to interrogate them. The knight had received instructions for this, on account of his acquaintance with the party. "Well, sergeant," he said, after nodding recognition to Jack and his sister, "what may your Forest friends be wanting? I hope they haven't got into any trouble with our soldiers, or the Bristol folk?" "No, Sir Richard; nothin' o' that sort whatsoever. They ha' just entered the city, comin' frae Gloster, an' wi' a message from Colonel Massey to his honner here." The speaker, by a look, indicated the head figure of the listening assemblage; then added, "They think it be somethin' o' very great consarn, seein' how the Colonel ha' told them not to lose a minnit in the deliverin' o't." At this all eyes turned eagerly upon the cadgers. A message from Massey, who commanded at Gloucester, and at such a crisis! It should mean something of importance. "Perhaps your Excellency would prefer hearing it in private?" suggested Sir Richard, with a feint at withdrawing, imitated by the other officers. "No, no!" rejoined the _ci-devant_ lawyer, who, unlike his confraternity, was of aught but secretive habit. "Stay, gentlemen! Whatever it be, we're all equally interested in it. Now, my worthy friends," he continued, his glance alternating between the little man and big woman, "what is this matter with which Colonel Massey has entrusted you? You may speak out openly and without fear." The words of encouragement were superfluous. Neither Jerky Jack nor his sister were of the stuff to be affrighted, though they stood in the presence of Royalty itself. They had travelled too far, and seen too much of the world for that. "It be wrote, yer honner." The woman it was who spoke. "The thing be's all put down on paper; an' Jack--my brother, sir--ha' got it on him, hid away, as there was a fear us might meet the Cavalieres." "Well, you needn't fear meeting them here. So let Jack produce it."