"As you will," returned Jack. "Master Davis, since it may well be that I see you no more, I thank you for all your courtesies to me, and beseech you to convey these little tokens to my father with my love."
"What are they?" asked Brother Joseph.
"You may see them if you will," Jack was beginning, but the jailer interrupted him—
"What then? I am captain of this jail, I trow, and not you, Master Joseph. Take your prisoner way as quickly as you will, but I will have none of your airs here. Marry come up! You are no such great man. Goods left by my prisoners belong to me, I would have you know. I will do your errand, Jack Lucas, and I wish heartily that you were well out of this scrape."
The sacristan deigned no reply, but hurried his charge away as quickly as possible. Early as it was, the street was already full, and in the short passage between the jail and the convent, Jack heard many words of encouragement and met many kindly glances. He was taken into a room in the Benedictine convent, where he found his judges already waiting and a secretary ready to take down his replies. He was asked the usual questions as to his belief, and warned to answer truly.
"I have no desire to answer otherwise," said Jack, with an expressive look at Father Barnaby.
He was then questioned as to his belief in the authority of the Pope, the sacraments and purgatory, to all of which questions he returned straight-forward answers.
"Whence did you obtain your heretical books?" was the next question.
"I am not here to criminate others, neither do I own to having any heretical books," replied Jack.
"Call in the witnesses," said Father Barnaby.