"Hiding in the country. I have been a village smith."
"A smith!" cried the knight. "Then that fancy of yours for working with metals has stood thee in good stead for once?"
"It has indeed; but it was a base use withal."
"Thou has been well hidden, for Her Majesty's servants have scoured the country to discover your where-about."
"I have been at Haddon in the Peak," he replied.
"Haddon: phew! Do you know that arrogant knight, Sir George Vernon?"
"Do I know him?" echoed Edmund. "Would to heaven I had never cast my eyes upon him."
"Ah! he has stung thee too, I perceive?" exclaimed Sir Ronald. "I hate him like poison. It should go ill with him did I ever have the power. I hear he is a Papist; cannot we prove aught against him on that score?" and the excited knight wistfully regarded his companion's face, waiting for a favourable reply.
"I should like some supper first," drily suggested the toil-worn traveller, "and then," he added, "I may satisfy your eagerness to the fullest extent. I have a score of my own against him to clear off yet, and, what is more to the point, Ronald, I have the power. It was for that I came to visit you."
"Ha!" ejaculated the knight, expectantly. "He can satisfy my craving to the fullest extent," he mused. "This is fortunate."