But still the Duke lingered, although Buckingham was gone and Phineas Tate had been led out between his custodians.

His eyes sought mine, and I read an appeal in them.

That he desired to take me with him in pursuit of Jonah Wall, I did not think; but he desired above all things to get me out of that room, to have speech with me, to know that I was free to work out the scheme which Buckingham had disclosed to me.

Nay, it was not unlikely that his search for Jonah Wall would lead him to the hostelry of the Merry Mariners at Deal.

And for my plan too, which differed so little yet so much from his, for that also I must be free.