"I ask no better, my lord," I cried. "I bear a message from the Prince."
He started, and stared at me under his brows in suspicion. "What Prince?" he asked brusquely.
"There is but one," said I, boldly, "and one that shall rest so no longer by God's grace and the trusty arms of England."
"You mean the Prince of Orange?" he asked, in a lower voice. I nodded. For a while he looked me in the eyes, and then, turning to the sheriff's officers, ordered them to withdraw a little; after which he came back to me, surveying me with his cold and savage eyes, but with something of anxiety.
"You are a bold man," he said, "to bring me this message."
"I would do that and more than that for the good cause," said I.
Jeffreys was silent, and then, "Come, what is this message, then?" he inquired, with a sardonic glance.
For the life of me I could not have determined if he were taken with the bait, but I swore to hook him, as, indeed, it was the only course left to me.
"Your lordship has not heard the news from the coast?" says I, looking round very cautiously.
"Proceed," he commanded, watching me with his beautiful and horrid eyes.