“I’m not so sure,” said Banks, “that those two in the White Hart could not have told us an’ they would.”
“Good lack!—what count you then they be?”
“I reckon that they be of my Lord Cardinal’s men.”
“Have you any ground for that fantasy?”
“Methought I saw the nether end of a mitre, broidered on the sleeve of the shorter man, where his cloak was caught aside upon the settle knob. Look you, I am not sure; but I’m ’feared lest it so be.”
“Jack, couldst thou stand the fire?”
“I wis not, Nichol. Could you?”
“I cast no doubt I could do all things through Christ, nor yet that without Christ I could do nothing.”
“It may come close, ere long,” said Banks gravely.
The two travellers, meanwhile, had mounted their horses, and were riding in the direction of Goudhurst. A third man followed them, leading a baggage-horse. As they went slowly along, the taller man said—