His last hour has come.

And you, young man, who may you be ?" "I am a clerk, sir, travelling from Beaulieu." "A clerk!" cried the other.

"Art from Oxenford or from Cambridge?
Hast thou a letter from the chancellor of thy college giving thee a permit to beg?
Let me see thy letter." He had a stern, square face, with bushy side whiskers and a very questioning eye.
"I am from Beaulieu Abbey, and I have no need to beg," said Alleyne, who was all of a tremble now that the ruffle was over.
"The better for thee," the other answered.

"Dost know who I am ?" "No, sir, I do not." "I am the law!"-- nodding his head solemnly.

"I am the law of England and the mouthpiece of his most gracious and royal majesty, Edward the Third." Alleyne louted low to the King's representative.