Following the apprentice into the shop, on the promise of a handsome reward, he instantly commenced his relation.
"Last night," he said, "I was keeping watch at the door of Mr.Brackley, a saddler in Aldermanbury, whose house having been attacked by the pestilence is now shut up, when I observed two persons, rather singularly attired, pass me.

Both were dressed like old men, but neither their gait nor tone of voice corresponded with their garb." "It must have been the Earl of Rochester and his companion," remarked Leonard.
"You are right," replied the other; "for I afterwards heard one of them addressed by that title.

But to proceed.

I was so much struck by the strangeness of their appearance, that I left my post for a few minutes, and followed them.

They halted beneath a gateway, and, as they conversed together very earnestly, and in a loud tone, I could distinctly hear what they said.