Publisher's Synopsis
Sir Daniel and his men lay in and about Kettley that night, warmly quartered and wellpatrolled. But the Knight of Tunstall was one who never rested from money-getting; andeven now, when he was on the brink of an adventure which should make or mar him, hewas up an hour after midnight to squeeze poor neighbours. He was one who traffickedgreatly in disputed inheritances; it was his way to buy out the most unlikely claimant, andthen, by the favour he curried with great lords about the king, procure unjust decisions inhis favour; or, if that was too roundabout, to seize the disputed manor by force of arms, andrely on his influence and Sir Oliver's cunning in the law to hold what he hadsnatched. Kettley was one such place; it had come very lately into his clutches; he still metwith opposition from the tenants; and it was to overawe discontent that he had led histroops that way.By two in the morning, Sir Daniel sat in the inn room, close by the fireside, for it was cold atthat hour among the fens of Kettley. By his elbow stood a pottle of spiced ale. He had takenoff his visored headpiece, and sat with his bald head and thin, dark visage resting on onehand, wrapped warmly in a sanguine-coloured cloak. At the lower end of the room about adozen of his men stood sentry over the door or lay asleep on benches; and somewhatnearer hand, a young lad, apparently of twelve or thirteen, was stretched in a mantle on thefloor. The host of the Sun stood before the great man."Now, mark me, mine host," Sir Daniel said, "follow but mine orders, and I shall be yourgood lord ever. I must have good men for head boroughs, and I will have Adam-a-Morehigh constable; see to it narrowly. If other men be chosen, it shall avail you nothing; ratherit shall be found to your sore cost. For those that have paid rent to Walsingham I shall takegood measure-you among the rest, mine host.""Good knight," said the host, "I will swear upon the cross of Holywood I did but pay toWalsingham upon compulsion. Nay, bully knight, I love not the rogue Walsinghams; theywere as poor as thieves, bully knight. Give me a great lord like you. Nay; ask me among theneighbours, I am stout for Brackley.""It may be," said Sir Daniel, dryly. "Ye shall then pay twice."The innkeeper made a horrid grimace; but this was a piece of bad luck that might readilybefall a tenant in these unruly times, and he was perhaps glad to make his peace so easily."Bring up yon fellow, Selden!" cried the knight.And one of his retainers led up a poor, cringing old man, as pale as a candle, and all shakingwith the fen fever."Sirrah," said Sir Daniel, "your name?"
