"Put down that box," said the foremost.
Bartholomew was proceeding to surrender at discretion, but Dee first
inquired their errand.
"We can tell ye that in a twinkling," said the malicious intruders,
"after we have stepped up to the lodge, and given them a pretty guess at
the quality of the knaves who be robbing of their garden. Nay, Doctor,
we take no excuse, unless we take our share of the spoil with it. To
work, or ye budge not hence without discovery."
This was a provoking interruption--their all depended on a favourable
issue to this adventure. Dee therefore offered terms of capitulation as
follows:--
"I'll give you five-and-twenty gold pieces on the spot if ye will let us
pass."
"Five-and-twenty!--why, that box may hold five-and-twenty hundred," said
the freebooter with a whistle, by way of derision.
"Perhaps not," said the Doctor, warily; "it is not yet tried, and may
not be opened here without risk. Come to my lodgings to-morrow, and we
will share in the product."
"Nay," returned the rogue, sharply, "a pullet in the pen is worth a
hundred in the fen. Come, we will deal kindly with thee: give us fifty,
and pass on.
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