“In a fit, was he?”

The other nodded.

“I am arrested on his warrant, then?  And on what charge?”

The man laughed outright.

“That’s too good,” he said.  “Why, we, have a bundle of popery on the horse behind!  It was all in the hiding-hole!”

“I am supposed to be a priest, then?” said Robin, with admirable disdain.

Again the man laughed.

“They will have some trouble in proving that,” said Robin viciously.

* * * * *

He learned presently whither they were going.  He was right in thinking it to be Derby.  There he was to be handed over to the gaoler.  The trial would probably come on at the Michaelmas assizes, five or six weeks hence.  He would have leave to communicate with a lawyer when he was once safely bestowed there; but whether or no his lawyer or any other visitors would be admitted to him was a matter for the magistrates.

They ate as they rode, and reached Derby in the afternoon.

At the very outskirts the peculiar nature of this cavalcade was observed; and by the time that they came within sight of the market-square a considerable mob was hustling along on all sides.  There were a few cries raised.  Robin could not distinguish the words, but it seemed to him as if some were raised for him as well as against him.  He kept his head somewhat down; he thought it better to risk no complications that might arise should he be recognised.

As they drew nearer the market-place the progress became yet slower, for the crowd seemed suddenly and abnormally swelled.  There was a great shouting of voices, too, in front, and the smell of burning came distinctly on the breeze.  The man riding beside Robin turned his head and called out; and in answer one of the others riding behind pushed his horse up level with the other two, so that the prisoner had a guard on either side.  A few steps further, and another order was issued, followed by the pressing up of the men that went on foot so as to form a complete square about the three riders.

Robin put a question, but the men gave him no answer.  He could see that they were preoccupied and anxious.  Then, as step by step they made their way forward and gained the corner of the market-place, he saw the reason of these precautions; for the whole square was one pack of heads, except where, somewhere in the midst, a great bonfire blazed in the sunlight.  The noise, too, was deafening; drums were beating, horns blowing, men shouting aloud.  From window after window leaned heads, and, as the party advanced yet further, they came suddenly in view of a scaffold hung with gay carpets and ribbons, on which a civil dignitary, in some official dress, was gesticulating.

It was useless to ask a question; not a word could have been heard unless it were shouted aloud; and presently the din redoubled, for out of sight, round some corner, guns were suddenly shot off one after another; and the cheering grew shrill and piercing in contrast.