"'When was that?' I asked, as simply as I knew how, and with such an air of surprise that he never thought to ask me again if I had seen the man. "'Any time during the night,' the answer came, and at once he made an offer which set my blood dancing. 'See, ranger, if thou canst find him for us, that limb of Satan, there are a hundred golden crowns for you, and the blessing of the Church.' "I put on my face a look of greed, or what I thought was one, with such an offer. "'Wilt come with me and I will show you places where a man might think to hide,' I said. 'But if I fail to find him I get nothing, and I lose the hundred crowns.' "'Nay. Thou shalt have ten, but it will be my joy if I have to pay thee the full hundred,' Cochlaeus cried. "They followed me, the whole of the City Guard and Cochlaeus--the Churchman eager, the other horsemen in ill-humour, for they were hungry after a long night's fast, and worn out with their long waiting at the castle gate, for the coming of the Deacon. How he had come out I had not heard then, for it was later when I met Sprenkel. "We searched everywhere, in places likely and unlikely, once in the lair of a bear who made her onslaught on us, and had to be dealt with by cold steel, and once again I sent them down an alley in the forest where a couple of wolves leapt out, and there were snarls and snaps, and then unearthly yells, as the wild creatures fell before the deadly sword thrusts. "'We'll go to the city!' cried Cochlaeus, who rode swiftly back to where I was awaiting them, with my hunting-knife in readiness in case any of those yelping, slouching beasts should get away and turn on me. 'Here are the ten crowns I promised,' he added, handing me the golden pieces with a trembling hand. 'But see, fellow, I spoke of a hundred crowns. Find me this William Tyndale and I will give you a hundred and fifty; but he must be alive, so that we may deal with him for his heresy and his pestilential work.' "I took the gold, and watched them ride away. Some of the horsemen were wiping the blood from their swords, and most of them were sitting in their saddles in discontent, and gazing after the Churchman with a contempt one rarely has the chance of seeing. I stood looking after them till they had gone out of sight, when someone slapped me on the shoulder. Whoever it was, he had come on me unawares, and I swung round to find myself face to face with Sprenkel. I told him what I knew, and then I heard of what had passed in the castle. But here are the crowns, Master Tyndale, and shall I tell thee what I think it best to do with them?" Tyndale looked at him curiously. "I cannot say." "I thought that you should have them, and use them for the work you have in hand. They would go some little distance towards printing that Word of God, and it would be safe to do so, since it would be but spoiling the Egyptians."