“You had not escaped on that occasion, but for my connivance, Master Jocelyn,” the man in the mask rejoined.  “Now, hear me.  I am willing to befriend you on certain conditions; and, to prove my sincerity, I engage you shall go free if you accept them.”

“I do not feel disposed to make any terms with you,” Jocelyn said sternly; “and as to my freedom of departure, I will take care that it is not hindered.”

“I hold a warrant from the Star-Chamber for your arrest,” said the man in the mask; “and you will vainly offer resistance if I choose to execute it.  Let this be well understood before I proceed.  And now to show you the extent of my information concerning you, and that I am fully aware of your proceedings, I will relate to you what you have done since you fled with that froward apprentice, whose tricks will assuredly bring him to Bridewell, from the Three Cranes.  You were landed at London Bridge, and went thence with your companion to the Rose at Newington Butts, where you lay that night, and remained concealed, as you fancied, during the whole of the next day.  I say, you fancied your retreat was unknown, because I was aware of it, and could have seized you had I been so disposed.  The next night you removed to the Crown in Bishopgate Street, and as you did not care to return to your lodgings near Saint Botolph’s Church without Aldgate, you privily despatched Dick Taverner to bring your horses from the Falcon in Gracechurch Street, where you had left them, with the foolhardy intention of setting forth this morning to Theobalds, to try and obtain an interview of the King.”

“You have spoken the truth,” Jocelyn replied in amazement; “but if you designed to arrest me, and could have done so, why did you defer your purpose?”

“Question me not on that point.  Some day or other I may satisfy you.  Not now.  Enough that I have conceived a regard for you, and will not harm you, unless compelled to do so by self-defence.  Nay more, I will serve you.  You must not go to Theobalds.  ’Tis a mad scheme, conceived by a hot brain, and will bring destruction upon you.  If you persist in it, I must follow you thither, and prevent greater mischief.”

“Follow me, then, if you list,” Jocelyn cried; “for go I shall.  But be assured I will liberate myself from you if I can.”

“Go, hot-headed boy,” the man in the mask rejoined, but he then added quickly; “yet no!—­I will not deliver you thus to the power of your enemies, without a further effort to save you.  Since you are resolved to go to Theobalds you must have a protector—­a protector able to shield you even from Buckingham, whose enmity you have reason to dread.  There is only one person who can do this, and that is Count Gondomar, the Spanish lieger-ambassador.  Luckily, he is with the King now.  In place of making any idle attempts to obtain an interview of his Majesty, or forcing yourself unauthorised on the royal presence, which will end in your arrest by the Knight Marshall, seek out Count Gondomar, and deliver this token to him.  Tell him your story; and do what he bids you.”