“I would fain speak with the Justice,” said the stranger, meekly.

“And suppose I were he,” said Wrinstone, putting himself into an attitude of great authority and importance, setting out his paunch, at the same time, something like unto the knight himself.  Another laugh, or rather titter, went through the courtyard at this exploit; a suspicious glance, however, was directed towards the casement above, some apprehensions evidently existing lest Sir Roger should have been eye-witness to the ceremony.

“Roger Wrinstone, thy mocking is ill-timed,” said Marsh, with a severe and steadfast gaze, which seemed to awe even this unblushing minion of intolerance.  “If thy master be not arisen, I will tarry awhile his worship’s leisure.”

“Sir Roger is with his priest at confession,” said one, with a shout of derision.  “Art come to confess him too, Father Marsh?” and with that they plucked him by the beard, mocking and ill-treating him.  But, filled with joy that he was accounted worthy to suffer, he passed from them into the great hall, at that period a large and lofty room, which, as tradition reports, would have “dined all the monarchs of Europe, and all their trains.”  It has since been much curtailed of its proportions, modern improvements having appropriated it to more useful purposes.  The wainscots were enriched with choice and beautiful carvings, representing bucks’ heads, flowers, and portraits of the most distinguished ancestors of the family.  So numerous and varied were these ornaments, that, it is commonly reported, the artist wrought out his apprenticeship in executing this grand work, which for minuteness and the astonishing number and ingenuity of the devices, perhaps exceeded most of the like nature throughout the realm.  Amongst other whimsical fancies was a ton crossed with a bar, having the cyphers A and B above and below, which worthless and absurd pun, a sort of emblematic wit much cultivated by our forefathers, indicated the name of the founder, Sir Andrew Barton.

Marsh, on his first entrance, inquired of a servitor if the Justice might be spoken with.  The menial was bearing off the remains of a substantial breakfast, and having a flagon of beer at hand, invited the stranger to a hearty draught, saying that he looked tired and in need of refreshment; but he meekly put it aside, with due courtesy, still standing as he repeated his question.  The man departed to make the inquiry, when presently followed the constable and his gang, who, seeing that the hall was cleared, strode in, rudely seizing Marsh by the shoulder.

“Thou art my prisoner,” said Wrinstone; “I arrest thee in the Queen’s name.”

At this moment came running in a little girl, bounding and frolicsome as a young fawn from its covert, who, hearing the word prisoner, and seeing a man of such a preposessing and benign aspect in custody, immediately came up to Wrinstone, and laid hold of the skirts of his doublet, saying,—­