Then he stopped suddenly in front of me and scanned me.
"Well ?" said he, in good English.
"Are you Master Penry ?" I asked.
"I am.

You have a message for me ?" "I have; from Master Walgrave.

Here it is," said I, putting the letter into his hand.
He tore it open and read it eagerly, and, as he did so, his face relaxed into a grim smile.
"That is well, so far," said he.

Then, looking hard at me, he added, "Have you ridden from London in that disguise ?" "No," said I, "this gown was lent me by a friend to protect me against annoyance from the wild men of the town." His face suddenly turned pale and passionate.
"Then where is the cloak your master speaks of in this letter ?" "The cloak!" I knew from the very first there would be trouble about that, and I was glad now I had left it behind in the safe keeping of my comrade at the inn.
"What is my cloak to you ?" said I, not relishing the tone of his voice, "I have given it away to my friend." "Fool and jackass!" said he, gnashing his teeth, "do you know you have ruined me and your master by this ?" "No, I do not," said I, "and as for the foul names you call me, take them back on the instant, or I swear I will ram them down your mouth!" He took no notice whatever of my wrath, but went on, breaking in on his speech every now and then with Welsh words which I took to be curses.
"You must get it back at any price," said he.

"Lose not a moment! Where is this friend?
Who is he?
If he resist you, you must slay him, so as you get it back.