I heard of her indeed not long since in Kent." "Yes, and where ?" he asked, getting excited.
"'Twas in Canterbury, where she hid from a villain, one Captain Merriman." He looked at me hard; but I looked so simple, and fingered the money so greedily, he suspected naught.
"Where is she now ?" he asked again.
"Look you, Captain," said I, getting close with him, "if you truly mean well by this maiden, I shall tell you where to look for her.

Only you must keep it secret, and, above all things, tell it not to this Captain Merriman, who is a very devil, and whom I would like to split with my sword, could I catch him." "Yes, yes," said he, eagerly, "I know him not--where is she ?" "In faith," whispered I, "if you seek her, you must be quick, for a week hence she may be flown." "Where is it ?" he asked, impatiently.
"'Tis--but the name slips me.

Yet, your patience, Captain, I have a paper I will fetch." And I left him and wrote hurriedly on a paper.
"_Pont-Marie, at Calais in France_." "Look you, Captain," said I, "you are to go to the place named here.
'Tis across seas, in France.

I can tell you no better than this paper.
I pray you breathe not to the maiden, if you see her, that 'twas I told you where to look for her; for she would be vexed, as would others I know of.

And to prove I am honest, here, take thy purse; for I will never touch it till you tell me you have found her and given her the jewel.