"Tell me, first, Sir John," he said, "how your gallant nephews fare. It is a scandal to London that such an outrage could happen on our own river; but we are overrun with foreigners, outlaws and riffraff of all sorts; we must see to it!"
Then, hearing a good report of the lads, he thanked Heaven for the news, and therewith glanced nervously towards Susan.
Sir John perceived his difficulty.
"You have something private to say to me, Sir William," he said; "you may say it before my niece, I have no secrets from her."
"I can understand that, Sir John," said the gallant Sheriff, with a courtly smile as he bowed towards Susan. "I will therefore tell you plainly and fully why I am come to you at so untimely an hour.
"Yet let me ask you both to keep my visit from the knowledge of others, for I am exceeding my office to-night, and might be called in question for what I do."
Sir John and Susan gravely bowed assent.
"It is respecting one of your noble boys, William Jefferay, that I have come hither. To-night I come as your friend and well-wisher, but to-morrow, alas! I shall bring you a warrant for his arrest in the Queens name and by order of the Court of the Star Chamber."
Sir John gave a low groan, and poor Susan hid her fair face in her hands.
"You will ask me why I come to you to-night with this sad news," said the Sheriff, with real sympathy in his kindly heart. "I will tell you why I come. My warrant commands me to possess myself of William Jefferay's body, and to commit it forthwith to Her Majesty's prison at the Fleet.