"His lordship shall hear this, certainly."
"And beg him to spare my girl until I bring Vavasour. Entreat him to be so far merciful, Master Nicholas!"
"I will let you know his lordship's pleasure," answered the steward, and crossed the passage to the room in which I awaited him.
"And what is your business, my man?" he asked loftily, toying with his gold chain of office.
"To give up the man that killed my Lord Sheffield and get my reward," I answered in rustic fashion.
"And where is the man?"
"By your leave, that is for his lordship's ear."
"Art insolent, knave? May'st take thyself off. Thy information is late. We happen to have one of the murderer's familiars on the rack."
"Who knows no more than you do."
"Which chances to be all that is needful. In a few hours we shall have the villain."