In a moment he stood all alone, without friend or supporter, a target upon which was concentrated a bitter fire of scornful and angry looks. The Lord Protector called out fiercely —

“Cast the beggar into the street, and scourge him through the town — the paltry knave is worth no more consideration!”

Officers of the guard sprang forward to obey, but Tom Canty waved them off and said —

“Back! Whoso touches him perils his life!”

The Lord Protector was perplexed in the last degree. He said to the Lord St. John —

“Searched you well? — but it boots not to ask that. It doth seem passing strange. Little things, trifles, slip out of one’s