“Hark ye, my good friend, Dick Taverner,” said Sir Jocelyn, “this must not be.  Because I have been unjustly treated, and may perchance find it difficult, if not impossible, to obtain redress, it does not follow that you and your fellow ’prentices are to violate the law.  These riotous proceedings will prejudice my cause rather than aid it; and if you have any regard for me you will use your influence with your comrades to check them ere mischief ensue.”

“Impossible!” exclaimed Dick.  “The matter has gone too far to be stopped now.  You might as well attempt to turn back a mill-dam that has burst its bounds, as the headstrong London ’prentices when they have taken up their cudgels.  Go through with the business they will.  This is not the only quarrel we have with De Gondomar.  We hate him for his insolence and arrogance, which have been often displayed towards us; We hate him because he is the sworn enemy of our religion, and would subvert it if he could.  As regards myself, I have my own particular reasons for hating him.  Do not you meddle with the affair, but leave its arrangement to us.”

“But I must interfere,” cried Sir Jocelyn; “if you act thus, in spite of all my remonstrances.  I must regard you in the light of enemies rather than friends, and shall lend my help to quell the disturbance you will occasion.  Be ruled by me, good Dickon, and desist from it.  Call in your comrades, who are raging about like savage dogs broken loose.”

“If they be dogs,” rejoined Dick, with a laugh, “the Spanish ambassador is likely enough to become acquainted with their teeth.  But I might whistle loudly enough to them before the staunch hounds would come back to me; and, in good sooth, I have no inclination to obey your commands in his instance, Sir Jocelyn.”

So saying, and fearing he might be detained altogether if he waited longer, he darted out of the room, and presently afterwards was heard shouting along the wharf with the loudest of his riotous companions—­“No Papists!  No Spanish spies!  Clubs!—­clubs!”

Sir Jocelyn saw that a storm was roused which it would be very difficult to allay; but an effort must be made to do so, even if he were compelled to act against his friends; and he was about to follow the apprentice into the street, when he was prevented by the sudden entrance of a tall personage, wrapped in a black cloak, and masked, whom he at once recognised as the individual who had given him the token to De Gondomar.

“I am glad to have found you, Sir Jocelyn,” said this personage.  “I have been on the look-out for you to give you a warning.  Avoid any place you have been in the habit of frequenting; and, above all, go not near Aveline’s dwelling.  The officers of the Star-Chamber are on the watch for you; and if found, your arrest is certain.”

“I can place little reliance on aught you tell me, Sir,” rejoined Sir Jocelyn, “after the trick you played me in causing me to deliver that ring to the Conde de Gondomar.  Nothing you can say shall hinder me from going forth as I am accustomed to do; and it is my purpose to proceed ere long to the dwelling you specially caution me to avoid.”