thou didst offer him such an insolence. Thou hast lied, friend; thou hast surely lied! He would not go for thee, nor for any man.”

“For any man — no; haply not. But I am not a man.”

“What! Now o’ God’s name what art thou, then?”

“It is a secret — mark thou reveal it not. I am an archangel!”

There was a tremendous ejaculation from Miles Hendon — not altogether unprofane — followed by —

“This doth well and truly account for his complaisance! Right well I knew he would budge nor hand nor foot in the menial service of any mortal; but, lord, even a king must obey when an archangel gives the word o’ command!