"What in the devil's name brings you here?" I cried.
"The service of God," he answered solemnly.
"What, does it forbid sleep at nights?"
"Have you been sleeping, young man?" he asked, pertinently enough, as I must allow.
"I have been paying my respects to His Majesty," said I.
"God forgive him and you," was the retort.
"Perhaps, sir, perhaps not," I replied, for I was growing angry. "But I have asked your intercession no more than has the King. If Jonah brought you here, it was without my leave; I beg you to take your departure.—Jonah, hold the door there for Mr Tate."
The man raised his hand impressively.
"Hear my message first," he said. "I am sent unto you, that you may turn from sin. For the Lord has appointed you to be his instrument. Even now the plot is laid, even now men conspire to bring this kingdom again into the bondage of Rome. Have you no ears, have you no eyes, are you blind and deaf? Turn to me, and I will make you see and hear. For it is given to me to show you the way."
I was utterly weary of the fellow, and, in despair of getting quit of him, flung myself into a chair. But his next words caught my attention.