Another mocking laugh fell upon his ear. It was from the lame ruffian, who

had been following at a distance. The king turned and said angrily:

'Who art thou? What is thy business here?'

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'Leave thy foolery,' said the man, 'and quiet thyself. My disguise is none so

good that thou canst pretend thou knowest not thy father through it.'

'Thou art not my father. I know thee not. I am the king. If thou hast hid my

servant, find him for me, or thou shalt sup sorrow for what thou hast done.'

John Canty replied, in a stern and measured voice:

'It is plain thou art mad, and I am loath to punish thee; but if thou provoke

Me, I must. Thy prating doth no harm here, where there are no ears that need

To mind thy follies, yet is it well to practise thy tongue to wary speech, that it

May do no hurt when our quarters change. I have done a murder, and may

Not tarry at home — neither shalt thou, seeing I need thy service. My name is

Changed, for wise reasons; it is Hobbs — John Hobbs; thine is Jack — charge

thy memory accordingly. Now, then, speak. Where is thy mother? Where are

thy sisters? They came not to the place appointed — knowest thou whither

they went?'

The king answered, sullenly:

'Trouble me not with these riddles. My mother is dead; my sisters are in the

palace.'

The youth near by burst into a derisive laugh, and the king would have