"I never said I was a zealous servant of the king, even while I became so drunk that I failed to do my duty," I replied. "As to being a braggart, Master Gaoler, I have told you nought but the truth. And this I swear, if Mistress Constance Leslie, or whatever you are pleased to call her, be not kindly treated, I will see to it that a true story of the way you conducted yourself be widely published. Ay, it shall even reach the king's ears. In which case you will no longer be a gaoler, but a prisoner." "As to that it is my full intention that she shall be treated with all due courtesy," he replied, "but tell me the meaning of what hath taken place, young master. Who are you, and why came you to Bedford? I promise you that aught you shall say to me shall do you good rather than harm." "As to that presently," I replied. "But will you on your part first tell me something?" "I will tell you all that seemeth right to tell," he replied. "Then how was the woman who was brought here with me last night taken prisoner?" "Ay, that is easy to tell," he replied. "I had my suspicion that there might be doings at Goodlands which it might advantage me to know, so I got a warrant to search the place from cellar to cock-loft. And this, as you will see, led to good results, for truly the constables had not been in the house a minute before this daughter of Master Leslie's came to the place where the constables were, and gave herself up. Was not this mighty clever on my part?" "And then you searched no more?" I said. "There was nought more to search for. You see I had the house searched the day after you--you--set her free from here; but nought could I find, no not a sign of her. But I bided my time. I said, 'she will return,' and in truth she did." "You say you did this?" I asked. "Ay I did--that is me and the justices together." I said nought at this, although I was sore puzzled at his words, for I thought I saw a meaning in it all far greater than he had dreamt of. "And now tell me what you promised to tell me?" he said. "At what hour am I to be brought before the justices?" I asked. "At ten o'clock," he replied. "Then I must needs think of my defence," I replied, "and you will have to wait until their worships have examined me." This, as may be imagined, did not satisfy him, but he had to be content, for I would not answer a single question he put. At ten o'clock the next day I was brought before the justices of Bedford, but I never dreamed, as I appeared before them, of the things I should presently learn. CHAPTER XXII THE CHAPEL OF HERNE