But for the letters from the governor and the king, he might have been arrested on suspicion.

He came and went at will, occasionally pausing to ask a question which was so guarded, that no one could suspect that he was interested in any particular subject.

One day, as he was passing the statehouse, Giles Peram, who, with the powdered wig, lace, and ruffles of a cavalier, was strutting before some of the court officials, turning his eyes with an ill-bred stare on the stranger as he passed, remarked: "Oh, how extraordinary!" Sir Albert paused and, fixing his great blue eyes on the diminutive egotist, said: "Marry! the time of king's fools hath past; yet the king of fools still reigns." Giles Peram felt the retort most keenly, and, as usual, raged and fumed and swore vengeance after the stranger was out of sight and hearing.

Sir Albert strolled down to a pond or lake that was near to the town, on the banks of which was an ancient ducking-stool.

Three or four idlers were sitting on the bank, and of one of them he asked: "For what is that ugly machine used ?" "It is a ducking-stool for scolds," was the answer.