“Nay, my lord,” replied the physician, looking up; “he lives, but he is sorely wounded and stunned too, by striking his head on the table as he fell.”
“Use your skill to save him,” said Cromwell, coldly; “the State requires this witness.” Then turning to Raby, “My lord, matters standing as they do, I pardon you; but never try to cheat the headsman, albeit ’tis the natural office of a good knight to rescue distressed demoiselles, and this fair lady merited the service at your hands, having ever been a suitor for you, even to the king’s grace. Sir William,” he went on, “how came this ending to the muddle?”
“My lord, I caught Raby’s servant, Shaxter, early in the evening, and, as you know, my Lady Crabtree and I soon found a way to make him confess that Henge had bribed him to change the packet that I gave to Raby for one that Henge had full of treasonable matter. Shaxter changed the packets when he helped his master to dress, just before he was arrested.”
“Ay, arrested at the complaint of Henge, who came to me with every protest of loyalty; not that he deceived me,” Cromwell added, “but the papers found on Lord Raby did mightily confirm his words. I know how you brought the villain Shaxter to me when I had Raby at my house for private examination; it was a happy matter that I could at once release him, but how came this villain’s schemes to-night to miscarry so?”
“His servants were all false to him,” Sir William answered, “and one of them sent us warning that he intended to carry off my niece, whom he has ever claimed as his affianced wife because of an old contract made when she was born. I know not yet which varlet of his did us this signal service.”
Cromwell’s keen eyes alighted on Master Cross-Eyes, who sat leaning on the table, too badly hurt to rise, but overlooked in the tumult.
“Ah, who is this?” asked the privy seal; “how many were in this affray?”
Betty Carew came forward now and answered for her champion.
“Sir,” she said eagerly, “but for that man I should scarcely have escaped so soon. He took my part, and fought with Henge in my behalf, and from my heart I thank him.”
“Is it so?” exclaimed Cromwell, glancing in some surprise at the unpleasing aspect of the man; “what say you, knave, how came you to serve this lady?”