But I know that I can serve your worship better, in such quest as yours, than any of these sword-and-dagger men, and that my head will be worth an hundred of their hands." Tressilian still hesitated.

He knew not much of this strange fellow, and was doubtful how far he could repose in him the confidence necessary to render him a useful attendant upon the present emergency.

Ere he had come to a determination, the trampling of a horse was heard in the courtyard, and Master Mumblazen and Will Badger both entered hastily into Tressilian's chamber, speaking almost at the same moment.
"Here is a serving-man on the bonniest grey tit I ever see'd in my life," said Will Badger, who got the start--"having on his arm a silver cognizance, being a fire-drake holding in his mouth a brickbat, under a coronet of an Earl's degree," said Master Mumblazen, "and bearing a letter sealed of the same." Tressilian took the letter, which was addressed "To the worshipful Master Edmund Tressilian, our loving kinsman--These--ride, ride, ride--for thy life, for thy life, for thy life." He then opened it, and found the following contents:-- "MASTER TRESSILIAN, OUR GOOD FRIEND AND COUSIN, "We are at present so ill at ease, and otherwise so unhappily circumstanced, that we are desirous to have around us those of our friends on whose loving-kindness we can most especially repose confidence; amongst whom we hold our good Master Tressilian one of the foremost and nearest, both in good will and good ability.

We therefore pray you, with your most convenient speed, to repair to our poor lodging, at Sayes Court, near Deptford, where we will treat further with you of matters which we deem it not fit to commit unto writing.

And so we bid you heartily farewell, being your loving kinsman to command, "RATCLIFFE, EARL OF SUSSEX." "Send up the messenger instantly, Will Badger," said Tressilian; and as the man entered the room, he exclaimed, "Ah, Stevens, is it you?
how does my good lord ?" "Ill, Master Tressilian," was the messenger's reply, "and having therefore the more need of good friends around him." "But what is my lord's malady ?" said Tressilian anxiously; "I heard nothing of his being ill." "I know not, sir," replied the man; "he is very ill at ease.