"I can think nothing," said I, "save that, whatever has befallen Ludar, he could not knowingly be guilty of plotting against the life of a woman, even if she be the Queen herself. Jeannette," said I, "I could no more believe that than I would believe you to be unkind or untrue." She smiled at that and said she, too, could not think so ill of this Ludar of mine. As the days passed, news came in thick and fast. The plot, we heard, was a devilish one to murder the Queen and her ministers, and give England up to the heretic Spaniard. Men stood aghast as they heard of it. Presently came word that the worst of the traitors were in hiding in London, being mostly young gentlemen of the Court, who had fed at the table of the very Lady they plotted to slay. Try all I would, I could hear nothing of Ludar. Nor durst I name him to my comrades, for fear I should bring him mischief thereby. One day in the middle of August it was, a man came into our shop in hot haste to tell Master Walgrave that the company had been taken, hidden in a barn in Harrow. Never shall I forget the joy of the City as the news spread like wildfire through the wards. No work did we 'prentices do that day. We marched shouting through the streets, calling for vengeance on the Queen's enemies, and waiting till they should be brought in, on their way to the Tower. As for me, my joy was mingled with strange trouble; for, if Ludar should be among them-- "The leader of them is one Babington," said Will Peake, "and besides him are half-a-dozen dogs as foul--English, all of them." "Save one," said another, "who I hear is Irish." "Irish!" cried I, as white as paper. "What is his name?" "Not Dexter," said the fellow, looking at me in amaze. "Why, man, what ails you?" "Tell me his name, as you love me," said I. "How should I know the name of every cowardly hound that walks the streets? Go and ask them that can tell you." I walked away miserable, and waited at the Aldersgate to see the prisoners come by. When at last the cry was raised, I scarcely durst look up, for fear that among them should tower the form of Ludar. But when I lifted my eyes and saw only six hang-dog men, who held their hands to their ears to keep out the yelling of the mob, and shrunk closer to their guards to save them from a worse fate than the hangman's, the beating of my heart eased. For he was not amongst them. So joyful was I that I could even lend my voice for a while to the general cry, and, when night fell, bring my torch to the flaming barrels that blazed on Finsbury Fields. Yet I came home that night ill at ease. Fresh news had arrived already that other men had been taken in the country--amongst them, certain who had been in attendance on the Scotch Queen. Yet, ask all I would, never once could I hear of Ludar by name, or of any man resembling him.