"There is generally a tender spot in a woman somewhere, and Mistress Lanison may chance to find it in Harriet Payne." "Mistress Payne is to be trusted, Watson. I'll see to that." "She would turn her wits against you, my lord, if she thought she were deceived. That's as sure as the coming of the Sabbath." "Do you suppose, Watson, I throw away the skin before I have used all the fruit? Send the girl to me to-night." The men saluted and turned. "And Watson, you might put a little misery into your face and commiserate with Mistress Lanison on her position. It might interest her to hear the story of Alice Lisle of Winchester. She is high-spirited, and I would have that spirit broken." "I will play Jeremiah, sir, like any Puritan." "And Sayers, keep your eyes open in Dorchester. Crosby and this fiddler are too cunning not to be dangerous. I warrant they are not far away from Mistress Lanison. By Heaven! if you let her slip through your fingers now, you shall suffer for it!" Bloody Assizes! Along West Street the name travelled to the "Anchor Inn," that hostelry of mean repute in Dorchester, and to a small upper room where three men sat. They leaned towards each other as they spoke. "I have failed to find out where they have taken her." said one. "It must have been dark when they entered Dorchester; I can find no one who remembers such a cavalcade in the streets. I am at a loss how to discover her prison." "Think, Martin." "I have never been so barren of schemes as I am how. Have you no suggestion, Crosby?" "I want to kill Rosmore." "And you, Mr. Fellowes?" "Here I may be of service. I am known as a soldier and a King's man," he answered. "My presence in Dorchester will not be called in question, and I may learn what is the real plot on foot. Until we know it, we can hardly scheme to prevent it." "An excellent plan," said Martin. "There is another scheme half-born within me. I will let it mature to-night. Courage, comrades. Three honest men are worth many scoundrels. Three lovers of one woman, for so we are in our different fashions." "That is true," said Crosby. "Quite true," murmured Fellowes. "And we strive together," said Martin, letting his hand fall on the table. It was covered immediately by the other men's hands. "Heart and soul for Mistress Lanison," said Fellowes. "Heart and soul," said Crosby. "Three honest and true men," murmured Fairley, and tears were in his eyes. "A triple alliance." CHAPTER XXI LORD ROSMORE DICTATES TERMS