He shook his head and returned to Nicholas.
“Good heavens, how pale thou art, sir!”
“So wouldst thou be hadst thou been with us.”
“She ought to be burnt.”
“She is useful just now, and ministers to our designs.”
Not one word did Sir John speak all the ride homeward; perhaps he hesitated in his purpose, but at length his mind was made up.
They supped together, Nicholas waiting on his lord, but yet enjoying the privilege of supping at the same table.
After supper, as they discussed some hot sack, the patron said—
“Nicholas, I wish thee to go out on the western road which leads from Glastonbury to Exeter, and thou mayst pass the night at the ‘Robin Hood;’ I have a strange impression our mutual friends will stop there to-morrow night. If thou meetest them stick to them like a leech, and follow them, thyself unseen, if possible, to Glastonbury; then join me in the Abbey, and we will await them there; it is their purpose, I am sure, to enter that secret chamber and destroy the papers, and I would fain seize them in the act, and so learn the great secret.”
“There is much gold hidden there,” said Nicholas.