As we reached the skirts there reeled against us a drunken man who, had I not caught him in my arm, would have fallen against my young mistress and done her some hurt. He was not so drunk but that, when I set him on his feet and gave him a kick or two, he was able to stand upright and talk. And at the first word he uttered, I recognised the voice of my old acquaintance, Tom Price, the Captain's man; whom I had seen last with his master the day Alexander McDonnell fell outside Dunluce. So dark was it away from the fire, that but for his voice I might not have known him. Certainly he, as he then was, could hardly know me. "Patience," whispered I to Jeannette, "here is a man can give us some news. He shall not hurt you; only I must speak with him. Hold close to me." And to guard her better, I put an arm around her, while I parleyed with the sergeant. "Come, comrade," said I, concealing my voice as best I could, "'tis time you were in quarters. The Captain will be calling for thee." "Captain me no captains. Stand thee still, steady--when came he--ugh?" "He'll be here to look for thee I warrant, an thou go not home." "Got back? what for? when came-- Harkee, comrade--keep it snug--he'll not find her--he, he! he'll not find her." "Not he," said I, making a guess. "We know where she is, though. Eh, Tom?" "He, he! do we! So doth that other varlet. But, keep it mum, comrade-- the wall is none too high, but my Captain may climb it." "Ay," said I, "but he must needs find it first. Eh? That will trouble him, eh? honest Tom." "Honest! thou art right, comrade. Ere he learn where she be I'll-- I'll--harkee, friend I like not that other varlet. What needs she with two of us? Am not I man enough? eh? thou and I, without him? By my soul, comrade, I will slay him." "So, he is there, too, where she is?" "Ho, he! Jack Gedge in a convent? ho, he! Ne'er such luck for him, or thee, or me; eh? ho, ho! Jack in a convent? No, but, comrade," here he took my arm and whispered, "he ne'er quitteth the city, and no man can get at her but he knows it. 'Tis a very bulldog. Hang him, comrade, hang him, I say." "Ay, I am with you there," said I. "What right hath he to stand betwixt her and honest folk like you and me?" "Harkee, friend. This varlet, they say, was appointed to the service by one--hang the name of him--an Irish knave that made eyes at her. You know him--" "Ay, ay," said I. "Lubin, or Ludar, or some such name." "Thou hast it. Ludar. Well, as I told thee, this varlet is appointed to the charge by this Lu-- Say it again, comrade." "Ludar," said I. "Ay, Ludar. Well, this varlet, as I--" "And where is the villain now?" "Why, as I told thee, dullard, he lurks in Canterbury city hard by the convent--and though 'twas I helped her there--I or thou, I forget if thou didst assist--I say, though 'twas I--or I or thou--or I and thou-- helped her there, this dog now keepeth guard like a very bulldog."