And now I have a gift for you that perchance will please you more than gems.

Your husband, Christopher Harflete, accompanied by a servant, has landed in the north safe and well." "Oh, my Lord," she cried, "then where is he now ?" "Alas! the rest of the tale is not so pleasing, for as he journeyed, from Hull I think, he was taken prisoner by the rebels, who have him fast at Lincoln, wishing to make him, whose name is of account, one of their company.

But he being a wise and loyal man, contrived to send a letter to the King's captain in those parts, which has reached me this night.

Here it is, do you know the writing ?" "Aye, aye," gasped Cicely, staring at the scrawl that was ill writ and worse spelt, for Christopher was no scholar.
"Then I'll read it to you, and afterwards certify a copy to multiply the evidence." "To the Captain of the King's Forces outside Lincoln.
"This to give notice to you, his Grace, and his ministers and all others, that we, Christopher Harflete, Knight, and Jeffrey Stokes, his servant, when journeying from the seaport whither we had come from Spain, were taken by rebels in arms against the King and brought here to Lincoln.

These men would win me to their party because the name of Harflete is still strong and known.