The boy fell to trembling. “Willingly? Ah, no!”
“Was what you did this night willing service on your part?” asked Peregrine, striving to keep severity from his voice.
“I know not what I did,” replied the boy. “I act as he bids me; I say words which he has taught me. Knowing not their meaning yet I dread to say them.”
“That,” said Peregrine very low, “is well. Will you trust yourself to me?”
“Sir,” replied the child, “I know not who you are. But, an’ your heart is like to your voice, I trust you very freely.”
Peregrine smiled grimly. “We’ll leave my heart out of the question,” he said. “Truly it, or my own foolishness, has brought me to a pretty pass. Would you leave this place an’ you could?”
The boy started from the couch.
“You will take me from it! Ah, sir, sir!” Groping towards Peregrine he found his hand. Down on his knees he fell to kissing it with fervour.
Peregrine hauled him to his feet.
“Save your gratitude till the matter is accomplished,” quoth he. “We have first to make our way from the place.”