I must overtake him or all is lost." "Papers ?" said the Bishop's man.

"What sort of papers, prithee ?" "I know not," said I.

"Oh, that cursed cloak!" "Harkee, my lad," said the man sternly, "answer me two questions, if you will." He laid hold of my arm, and looked so menacing that I was fairly taken aback.
"And if I do not," said I, as I began suddenly to see what it all led to.
"Then in the Queen's name I shall know what to do with you," said he, beckoning to his three men, who rose and approached me.
I was fairly in a corner now, for a man who held the Queen's warrant was not one lightly to be resisted.

Yet what could I tell him?
"Let me hear your questions," said I, as civilly as I could, and edging a little towards the door, "perhaps I can answer them." "That's a wise lad," said he, mollified, "I know you are but a tool-- men, stand back there--I blame you not for doing your duty, but you must tell me here, the name of the man, your master, who sent you this errand, and the name of him to whom you bore it." "I can tell you neither," said I.
He turned to his men, but before they could rise, I had rushed to the door and was outside.

A key stood in the outside of the lock, which mine host used to turn and take with him when business called him to leave his inn empty.