“Are there two?” came the answer from the folds of the heavy cloak. “I stand for King James.”
“Ah!” with a sigh of relief the young man relaxed the tension of his attitude. “You were sent to meet me then?”
“Yes,” said the other quietly, “to take your papers.”
“My papers?” the new arrival again showed alarm. “I am to take them to London.”
“I will take them to London.”
“Sir, your authority?”
“The King’s.”
The messenger smiled, regaining his presence of mind.
“Sir, I pray you show it me—this is a strange request—I go to Hunt’s hut; will you accompany me?”
“Yes—but first your papers.”