. THE LAST STRAW 21

forty pound, and is therefore under his thumb, forthwith
refused the company license to play in Stratford guild-
hall, inn-yard, or common. And at that the master-player
threw his glove into Master Stubbes’s face, and called
Sir Thomas a stupid old bell-wether, and Stratford bur-
gesses silly sheep for following wherever he chose to
jump.”

“ And so they be,” sneered Hal Saddler.

“How?” cried Robin, hotly. “My father is a burgess.
Dost thou call him a sheep, Hal Saddler?”

“Nay, nay,” stammered Hal, hastily; “’t was not thy
father I meant.”

“Then hold thy tongue with both hands,” said Robin,
sharply, ‘‘or it will crack thy pate for thee some of these
fine days.”

“But come, Robin,” asked Nick, eagerly, “ what became
of the quarrel?”

“Well, when the master-player threw his glove into
Master Stubbes’s face, the Chief Constable seized him for
contempt of Stratford Council, and held him for trial.
At that some cried ‘Shame!’ and some ‘Hurrah!’ but the
rest of the players fled out of town in the night, lest their
baggage be taken by the law and they be fined.”

“Whither did they go?” asked Nick, both sorry and
glad to hear that they were gone.

“To Coventry, and left the master-player behind in
gaol.”

“Why, they dare na use him so—the Lord Admiral’s
own man!”