CHAPTER XV.
Clement Lanyere's Story.
"My tale shall be briefly told," said Lanyere.

"You are aware, Sir Francis, that in the pursuit of my avocation I am often led into the most dangerous quarters of the metropolis, and at hours when the peril to any honest man is doubled.

Adventures have not unfrequently occurred to me when so circumstanced, and I have been indebted to my right hand and my good sword for deliverance from many a desperate risk.

Late one night, I chanced to be in the neighbourhood of Whitefriars, in a place called the Wilderness, when, hearing cries for help, accompanied by the clash of steel, I rushed towards a narrow court, whence the clatter and vociferations resounded, and perceived by the light of the moon, which fortunately happened to be shining brightly at the time, one man engaged with four others, who were evidently bent upon cutting his throat in order to take his purse.

He defended himself gallantly, but the odds were too great, and he must have been speedily slain--for the villains swore with great oaths they would murder him if he continued to resist them--if I had not come to the rescue.