Arthur heard all the story, and was very indignant; for though Garret was no favourite or friend of his, he was a graduate of his own college, and he felt it hard that he should have been hunted down like a mad dog, and caught just at the very moment when he was nearing the coast, and might well have hoped to make good his escape.

“I am no friend to Master Wylkins for his zeal,” he said, “and right glad am I that the law would not allow him to take possession of the prisoner, but had him lodged in Ilchester jail, despite his offer of five hundred pounds as surety for his safe appearance when called for.  He is to be taken now to London, to the cardinal, under special writ.  But I have greater hopes of his finding mercy with the cardinal than had he come here and been subject to the Bishop of Lincoln.”

A little later and the news came that the monk Ferrar, who had suddenly disappeared from Oxford after the arrest of Dalaber, had been taken in London in the house of one of the brethren, and that he and Garret were both in the hands of the cardinal.

“What will they do to them?” questioned Freda of Arthur, who came daily to visit them with all the latest news.

But that was a question none could answer as yet, though it seemed to Freda as if upon that depended all her life’s future.  For if these men were done to death for conscience’ sake, could Dalaber, their friend and confederate, hope to escape?

Arthur always spoke hopefully, but in his heart he was often sorely troubled.  He came at dusk today, clad in a cloak down to his heels, and with another over his arm.  He suddenly spoke aside to Freda.

“Mistress Frideswyde, I sometimes fear me that if our friend Anthony get no glimpse of you in his captivity he will pine away and die.  I have leave to take some few dainties to the prison, and I have below a basket in which to carry them.  It is growing dusk.  Wrapped in this cloak, and with a hat well drawn down over your face, you might well pass for my servant, bearing the load.  I might make excuse that you should carry in the basket instead of me.  Are you willing to run the risk of rebuke, and perchance some small unpleasantness at the hands of the keepers of the prison, to give this great joy to Anthony?”

Freda’s face was all aflame with her joy.  In a moment she had, with her sister’s aid, so transformed herself that none would have guessed her other than the servant of Arthur, carrying a load for his master.  She was tall and slight and active, and trod with firm steps as he walked on before her in the gathering dusk.  She suffered him not to bear the load even a portion of the way, but played her part of servant to perfection, and so came with a beating heart beneath the frowning gateway of the prison, where it seemed to her that some evil and terrible presence overshadowed all who entered.

Arthur was known to the sentries and servants by this time.  He visited several of the prisoners, and his gratuities made his visits welcome.  He was conducted almost without remark towards Dalaber’s cell, and no one made any comment when he said to Freda, in the commanding tone of a master: