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Updated: June 5, 2025
He called out to the man that sat nearest the door, and he got up and bawled something down the passage. "But it has treated me better lately," I said. "I have been in France on my affairs." "Oho!" said Rumbald, who again, in spite of his old Presbyterianism, had had a cup too many. And he winked on the company.
Rumbald, and I said on my part that my name was Mallock; and we shook hands upon it, for that was the mood of the ale that was in him. I began then, to speak of Hare Street, and said that I lodged there sometimes; and then began to speak of the parson there, and of what a Churchman he was. "Of Hare Street, eh?" said he. "Why I am not far from there myself. I am of Hoddesdon, or near to it.
How did he know of me?" "Plainly from Rumbald," said he. "And why did he want me?" He smiled. "Why, Rumbald thinks you disaffected towards the King; and yet knows you are in his service. You would be a very great helper to them, if you cared." It was my turn to smile. "My Lord Essex is not a fool," I said. "If they know so much of me, would they not know more?" "Plainly they do not," he said.
What is it, sir?" "Well," said I, "I can give you an assurance that what you fear will not take place. There is not a man here beyond myself and Mr. Rumbald and old Alick. Now begone at once. Stay; where do you live?" He shook his head. A little colour had come back to his face again at the news. "No, sir; that was not in the bargain. I will begone, sir, as you said; and thank you, sir."
"This is a private room, sir," said one of them at the head. "I beg your pardon, gentlemen," I said. "I was but looking for someone to serve me." And I was about to withdraw when a voice hailed me aloud. "Why it is Mr. Mallock!" the voice cried; and turning again to see who it was I beheld my old friend Mr. Rumbald, seated next the one that presided. I greeted him.
"Ah! Mr. Rumbald, if only you had learned to speak the truth!" Then I put in my spurs and was gone, hearing before me, the hollow tramp and rumble of the great coach in front, as the King's party went across the bridge. It was three months later that I sat once more, though not for the first time since my adventure at the Rye in Mr. Chiffinch's parlour.
I was in Puckeridge one day, on a matter which I do not now remember, and was going to the stable of the White Hart inn to get my horse to ride back again, when I ran into Mr. Rumbald who was there on the same errand. I was in my country suit, and very much splashed; and it was going on for evening, so he noticed nothing of me but my face. "Why, Mallock," he cried "It is Mr. Mallock, is it not?"
Then a man stood up suddenly, with a kind of eagerness. "Mr. Mallock," he said, "Mr. Mallock! Do you not remember me?" "Your back is to the light, sir " I began; and then: "Why it is Mr. Rumbald." "The same, sir; the same. There is a friend of yours, here, sir Come in and sit down, sir. There is plenty of room for another friend."
I told him that I would: and thanked him for his courtesy; and he went out, after shaking hands too with my Lord, taking care to exchange no glances with him, though it would be evident, even to a child, that there was some secret between them. When he was gone, my Lord turned to me. "A very good fellow, Rumbald a very good fellow indeed." I assented, heartily. "Honest as the day," said my Lord.
My religion too was in some peril, for if, by any mischance things should not go as I expected; if, as certainly occurred to my mind as one possibility in ten, I had completely mistaken Rumbald, and he had spoken the truth for once it was not the King only who would perish, but the Catholic heir also, and then good-bye to all our hopes.
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