True, 'twas her maiden, Anne Hathaway, that came
to the Tower and acquainted the keeper with Mary
Stuart's intended escape. He was very angry with
me and when I was brought before him he threatened
me with the direst punishment, but she interceded in
my behalf, and when she told him that Her Majesty
was to be kept in ignorance, and prayed most ear-
nestly for my release, he relented and dismissed me,
first swearing me to allegiance in future, and telling
me that hereafter I would be closely watched. But
the poor Queen of Scotland is dead, alas, and all our
efforts went for naught. Besides, I lost my five hun-
dred pounds and will have to work hard all my life."

"Nay, Anne, I will tell you a secret in my turn. I
have the neat sum of one hundred pounds stowed
away, and when we are married you may give up the
laundry, though of course I will remain in the serv-
ice of my Queen."

^Surely you come not by it honestly?"
'Much more honestly than it was begotten in the
first place. 'Twas given by Hatton to the Spanish
assassin as his reward for killing Will Shakespeare,
and I did but save the pieces from rusting in the
muddy bottom of the Thames along with his evil
carcass, after the fish finished him."

The maiden put her arms once more around her
guardsman.
