“Thou hast well done, and thy zeal in the service of the Commonwealth and of the congregation merits and shall have reward.  What passages passed between them?”

“I heard only part of the conversation, but enough to make me believe that the Governor, at the prayer of the strange knight, means to release the soldier Philip Joy.”

“Verily!” exclaimed Spikeman.  “Art sure you heard aright?  Rehearse to me what was said.”

The spy employed by the Assistant to be a watch upon the conduct of Winthrop, here went into a detail of his discoveries, to all which the other listened with fixed attention.

When the man had concluded his narration, which was interlarded with protestations of pious zeal, the Assistant said: 

“I do commend thee greatly, Ephraim, for thy sagacity, and the promptitude wherewith thou hast made me acquainted with these matters.  Not that thou or I have any more interest in this thing than other godly men who have fled from the persecution of the priests of Baal, to worship the God of our fathers in the wilderness according to the promptings of our own conscience, but it doth become every one to keep his lamp trimmed and burning, and to watch, lest the lion leap into the fold.  I misdoubt me much, that this same Sir Christopher Gardiner, as he calls himself, or this Knight of the Golden Melice, as some have it, meaning thereby, doubtless, malice, is no better than some emissary of Satan, unto which opinion his interposing for this blaspheming Joy doth strongly incline me.  Therefore, good Ephraim, keep thou thine eyes upon him, and shouldest thou be the instrument elected by Providence to bring his wicked devices to light, great will be thy praise and reward.”

Having thus spoken, Spikeman waved his hand and turned away, to intimate that the conference was at an end, but the man remained standing.

“Wherefore do you delay?  You may retire,” said Spikeman.  “I bethink me that but a little time remains for preparation for the afternoon lecture.”

“Is not the laborer worthy of his hire?” inquired Ephraim.  “Shall they who work in the Lord’s vineyard receive no wage?”

“My mind ran not on the perishable riches of this world,” answered the Assistant, pulling out, with a very ill grace, a well filled leathern purse, and taking from it a silver piece, which he offered to the servant, but the fellow had caught sight of gold, and was not so easily to be satisfied.

“Is thy servant a dog?” he demanded.  “The princely Governor would give me gold for information of less value.”

“Take two,” replied Spikeman, holding out another, “and be content.  Reflect that you are one of the congregation, and have an equal part in this inheritance with myself.”

“I think not,” said Ephraim, looking around the well-filled store-house.  “Is that a proper wage, your worship,” he added, glancing disdainfully at the money, “to offer one, who, on your account, risks the slitting of his nose, and cutting off of his ears?  Make the white yellow and it will not be too much.”