The words were scarcely out of his mouth when with sudden energy Sherebiah threw himself against him, at the same time placing a leg behind his knee. As the constable fell, Sherebiah dashed at the watchmen, toppled two of them over, their fall being accompanied by the crash of their lanterns, scattered the rest, and ran rapidly across the bridge. This unexpected onset from one whom they had taken for a simple and timid country bumpkin was too much for the watch. They made no attempt to pursue the fugitive, but returned surly and crestfallen to their lair. "Where on earth have you been, Sherry?" asked Harry, as his man re-entered the inn. "Payen a visit to a cousin o’ mine, Master Harry. And I was nigh put in lock-up, I was. Was stopped by the watch, but I toppled un over, I did. I’m a man o’ peace." "If you are let alone," said Harry, laughing. "I feared some harm had happened to you. Our Dutch friend tells me London is an ill place at night for a stranger." "Ay, and by day too, Master Harry," rejoined Sherebiah earnestly. "If I med make so bold, I’d say, get ’ee to-morrow a good cane,—none of your little small amber-tipt fancies as fine gentlemen swing in their dainty fingers, but a stout length of oak or birch, fit to crack a pate." "I have a sword, Sherry, and can use it, thanks to you." "Ay, but ’tis not always easy to draw a sword in time in a street brawl, and there be light-fingered gentry as can coax a sword from the scabbard and the wearer none the wiser till it be too late. Be it your poor feyther’s sword you ha’ brought, sir?" "Yes, the silver-hilted one; I showed it you once, Sherry." "Well, ’tis right for a gentleman to wear a sword, though I marvel, I do, at a holy man o’ peace like pa’son haven such a deadly piece o’ furniture." "Ay, and I’ve often wondered how a man of peace like yourself is able to handle a sword so well. You made a swordsman of me, Sherry; how did you become one yourself?" "Ah, sir, ’tis a many things a man o’ peace has to know in the way o’ dressens. I believe in peace with a cudgel in your hand. Them as wants peace be most like to get it an they be ready for war." "You remind me of what Master Butler says: ’There’s but the twinkling of a star Betwixt the man of peace and war’. But the hour is late, Sherry, and I must be up betimes in the morning, for my visit to Lord Godolphin." "You bean’t gwine to see the high lard to-morrer, sir? Better larn to find your way about this tangle o’ busy streets first. ’Tis as easy as sucken eggs to lose your way." "I have made up my mind to go to-morrow. You see, I must lose no time. I have only twenty guineas, as you know, and by to-morrow two of those will be gone. And I sha’n’t rest till I have tried my luck. Good-night, Sherry! Wake me at seven."