And a leaden weight was falling on my heart, as I wondered if I was never again to hold my friend's hand in mine; when one day I chanced to stumble on news of him in the strangest way.
It was near midsummer that a journeyman came urgently one day to my master from Master Barker's, her Majesty's printer, desiring his aid in the setting up in type of certain matter which was to be printed forthwith, but which Master Barker (being crowded with other work), must needs hire out to be done.

My master, who desired by all means to keep the good graces of the Queen's printer, undertook to give the help asked for, and handed to me the paper to put in type.

I opened it, and found it headed thus:--"A List of Persons who in these late grievous times have suffered punishment for treasonable acts against the state and person of her Most Gracious Majesty.

To wit--" Then followed a goodly list of names of persons suffering death in the ill cause; headed by that of the Scotch Queen herself.

Afterwards came the names of certain persons imprisoned, together with a note of the place where each was imprisoned, and the term of his punishment.
Amongst these, towards the end, was a line which made my blood suddenly run cold, and set the stick a trembling in my hand.