Halt where I was, I must; but I did it, feeling that I might be too late, and that each moment lost to me was a gain to that foul Captain.
At early dawn I was afoot, and before mid-day stood in the city of Canterbury.

As in duty bound, I asked my way first of all to his Grace's palace (which was hard by the great Church), where I longed to have my master's business disposed of.
Alack! his Grace was not to be seen, being away on a visitation; and his Grace's secretary had other matters to attend to, and sent word to me to enquire again to-morrow about the same time.

So I was forced to let the business wait, much to my sorrow, and meanwhile seek to hear some news of Ludar's maiden.
I remembered what Tom Price in his drunken speech had said of the nunnery, hard by which was a certain tavern by name of the "Oriflame," where I was like to hear of the English soldier, Jack Gedge.

Thither, accordingly, I went, being told I should find it outside the walls on the Dover road.
'Twas a low, mean house, with little accommodation for man or beast, being, indeed, as much farmhouse as hostel, with naught but the flaming sign to tell me I might wade through the muck and litter to the door and there call for refreshment.
The host was a civil, stupid fellow, who eyed me like one from whom he suspected mischief, and seemed impatient till I had drained my pot and was gone.
But I had no thought of going, and bade him, since business kept me that night in Canterbury, get me a bed.
He declared he had none to spare, and that I might get better quarters in the town.

But I replied I wanted no better quarters than the "Oriflame," and if it came to a lack of beds, he and I could do with one betwixt us.
"Or," said I, "if, as I am told, my old friend and comrade Jack Gedge, once a soldier, lodgeth here, he and I will not quarrel over our share of a crib." At that he looked uneasy and said Jack Gedge was not there.