232 MASTER SKYLARK

Master Pope was making faces suited to the words, not
knowing that he did so. Nick watched him, fascinated.

A man came hurrying down Cheapside, and peered in
at the open door. It was Master Dick Jones of the Ad-
miral’s company. He looked worried and as if he had
not slept. His hair was uncombed, and the skin under
his eyes hung in little bags. He squinted so that he might
see from the broad daylight outside into the darker room.

“Gaston Carew wants to see thee, Skylark,” said he,
quickly, seeing Nick beside the door.

Nick drew back. It seemed as if the master-player must
be lying in wait outside to catch him if he stirred abroad.

“He says that he must see thee without fail, and that
straightway. He isin Newgate prison. Wilt come?”

Nick shook his head.

“But he says indeed he must see thee. Come, Skylark,
I will bring thee back. I am no kidnapper. Why, it is
the last thing he will ever ask of thee. ’T is hard to re-
fuse so small a favor to a doomed man.”

“Thou ‘It surely fetch me back?”

“Here, Master Will Shakspere,” called the Admiral’s
player; “TI am to fetch the boy to Carew in Newgate on
an urgent matter. My name is Jones—Dick Jones, of
Henslowe’s company. Burbage knows me. I ‘ll bring
him back.”

Master Shakspere nodded, reading on; and Burbage
waved his hand, impatient of interruption. Nick arose
and went with Jones.

As they came up Newgate street to the crossing of Gilt-