"I have been watching anxiously for your return. I am in sore perplexity."
"Can I help you, sir?" I asked.
"If I were younger," he replied, "and could perform the task myself, I would gladly do it; but it is past my power. It is an urgent matter--for it concerns the safety of one dear to me and very precious to the Cause."
"Command me," I exclaimed. "I am ready to do anything I can; only tell me how I may help."
"I have a friend in Edinburgh," he said, "Peter Burgess by name. His life is in danger. I must get a message to him ere Friday. Will you take it?"
"Gladly," I cried. "Trust me--and all the persecutors in Scotland shall not prevent me."
A smile flickered upon his face. "That is a reckless boast," he said. "But I trust you, and thank you."
"I am ready to start at once," I said.
"What?" he exclaimed. "Weary as you are!"
"Certainly," I answered, "one must needs haste. I'll have a plunge in the pool while you write your letter, and after a mouthful of food, I'll be off."