Miles Hendon saved him the trouble; for he turned about, then, as a man

Generally will when somebody mesmerizes him by gazing hard at him from

behind; and observing a strong interest in the boy's eyes, he stepped toward

him and said:

'You have just come out from the palace; do you belong there?'

'Yes, your worship.'

'Know you Sir Humphrey Marlow?'

The boy started, and said to himself, 'Lord! mine old departed father!' Then

he answered, aloud, 'Right well, your worship.'

'Good — is he within?'

'Yes,' said the boy; and added, to himself, 'within his grave.'

Might I crave your favor to carry my name to him, and say I beg to say a

word in his ear?'

'I will despatch the business right willingly, fair sir.'

'Then say Miles Hendon, son of Sir Richard, is here without — I shall be

greatly bounden to you, my good lad.'

The boy looked disappointed — 'the king did not name him so,' he said to

himself — 'but it mattereth not, this is his twin brother, and can give his

majesty news of t'other Sir-Odds-and-Ends, I warrant.' So he said to Miles,

'Step in there a moment, good sir, and wait till I bring you word.'

Hendon retired to the place indicated — it was a recess sunk in the palace

Wall, with a stone bench in it — a shelter for sentinels in bad weather. He had

Hardly seated himself when some halberdiers, in charge of an officer, passed

By. The officer saw him, halted his men, and commanded Hendon to come