“Yes,” said John, wondering what was coming next.
The man got up and closed the door softly, he then came back and held out his hand to the boy. “I am so glad to see you, John; I know about you. I heard you asking for Walter Margrove, and oh,” he continued, apprehensively, “I do hope it is nothing about Mistress Aline that brings you here. Yes, I know quite well who you are and you may trust me.”
John’s was a simple nature and not easily suspicious; he just hesitated a moment and then reflected that if he merely said what was known to every one he could not do any harm. Walter Margrove’s part in the matter, he could keep for the present as a second string to his bow.
“They say that Mistress Aline is a heretic,” he said, “and they are going to burn her.”
The man clutched at the table to try and prevent himself from falling; the shock was so terrible in his weak condition; but he slipped back and was only saved by the boy catching him as he fell.
“O God,” he exclaimed, “not so, not so.”
He then made a tremendous effort and pulled himself together, but it was enough for John, there was no doubt that this stranger was in some way as interested in Aline’s welfare as himself.
“We must save her then,” said the stranger in a steady voice, while within him his thoughts and feelings tossed as in a storm.
“Marry though, what are we to do?”
“Let us sit down and think— Now look you here; it is not easy to think quickly, but we must act quickly. Can you get speech of Mistress Aline?”