THE short winter day was nearly ended. The streets were deserted, save for a

Few random stragglers, and these hurried straight along, with the intent look

Of people who were only anxious to accomplish their errands as quickly as

Possible and then snugly house themselves from the rising wind and the

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Gathering twilight. They looked neither to the right nor to the left; they paid

No attention to our party, they did not even seem to see them. Edward the

Sixth wondered if the spectacle of a king on his way to jail had ever

Encountered such marvelous indifference before. By and by the constable

Arrived at a deserted market-square and proceeded to cross it. When he had

Reached the middle of it, Hendon laid his hand upon his arm, and said in a low

voice:

'Bide a moment, good sir, there is none in hearing, and I would say a word to

thee.'

'My duty forbids it, sir; prithee, hinder me not, the night comes on.'

'Stay, nevertheless, for the matter concerns thee nearly. Turn thy back

moment and seem not to see: let this poor lad escape. '

'This to me, sir! I arrest thee in —'

'Nay, be not too hasty. See thou be careful and commit no foolish error' —

then he shut his voice down to a whisper, and said in the man's ear — 'the pig

thou hast purchased for eightpence may cost thee thy neck, man!'

The poor constable, taken by surprise, was speechless at first, then found his