As good a gentleman as lived in Lancashire." "That's true, but where was he when this disaster befell his household ?" "God knows; he had fled from judgment and was outlawed." "And the Crown confiscated his estate, you say, and turned his family into the road?
What was the indictment--some trumpery subterfuge for treason ?" "Like enough; but the indictment counts for nothing in these days; it's the verdict that is everything, and that's settled beforehand." "True, true." "Did you know my neighbor John ?" "I did; we were comrades years ago." With these words, Ralph rose from his unfinished breakfast and walked out of the house.
What mischief of the same sort might even now be brewing at Wythburn in his absence?
Should he return?
That would be useless, and worse than useless.

What could he do?
The daring impulse suddenly possessed him to go on to London, secure audience of the King himself, and plead for amnesty.

Yes, that was all that remained to him to do, and it should be done.

His petition might be spurned; his person might be seized, and he might be handed over to judgment; but what of that?
He was certain to be captured sooner or later, and this sorry race for liberty and for life would be over at length.
III.

The same day Ralph Ray, still travelling on foot, had approached the town of Preston.