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this adventure.
    All this time Ann had observed us from above; and I was more certain than before that Roger had magicked her, for she seemed unsurprised.
    —How to get her down? asks Master Pakeman. For know you that Samuel Salter bars his doors against the coming of the night.
    —We have a ladder, replies Roger, do you steady it and I will climb to the lady’s chamber.
    Now my very skin was crawling as if ants and spiders were running over’t. I looked full in the face of Master Pakeman, and saw nothing but what I ever did see, a man of middle years, hair grisard; excepting, mirabile dictu , 5 that he did not in one whit recognise me.
    Up the ladder then goes Roger and returns with Ann Pakeman while that her own father steadies their descent, grinning the while like unto a fool. And presently Roger departs with Ann, and I and Thos Audley and Hugh Bishop and Matthew Boys to our own beds; glad I am not to live in Master Pakeman’s house as do most prentices with their masters.
    On the morrow, some sort of confused election of parliament called by 0. Cromwell (pretended Protector); up betimes and to my master’s workshop, where all is in turmoil and making as much noise as a bear-garden.
    —What goes on, I asked Bartholomew Knox, the first man I saw, that you are all stirred up like unto a nest of ants?
    —Calamities and maledictions, Fabian, quoth he; someone hath stolen Master Pakeman’s daughter away.
    I clothed myself in surprise; but Knox knows no more, and how should he so?
    —There looks to be no work done this day, he says, do you go home presently.
    But I said nay: Why my indenture doth not permit that, and you know it well, Master Knox, having been prentice yourself in your time.
    —Tis true, says he; keep yourself apart then, and do you not vex Master Pakeman further.
    I was pleased enow to follow this good advice for much of the work of the prentice printer is unpleasant and tedious; inking the form with the ball (the which is a leathern pad stuffed with wool and nailed to a wooden handle) is none the less more pleasant than cleansing the same, when that they become clogged with ink; the which is done with urine, and the pelts then stripped off must be trod on until that the ink is worked out.
    The boy Humphrey however was performing his morning task of collecting the drips and drops of tallow from the candles, not a whit distressed by all the perturbation around him.
    It was as I was musing on all this that Master Pakeman himself came up to me, and on his face a very thunderstorm.
    —Where is journeyman Roger, Fabian? he asks me in a tone deceptively mild. Dost thou know? For I know that you both do ring bells together.
    —I know not, Master Pakeman, I told him truthfully (although I have a good idea where Roger is gone, yet I do not know ).
    —Didst thou see him at all yesternight?
    And then I must needs bear false witness to my master and say Nay; Not since he went away from here.
    —Well then, quoth he, mayhap he will come hence.
    —In good time, says I, making terrible bold.
    At which my master makes a sour face and replies, Ay, in his own good time.
    5 wonderful to relate
    Into this turmoil suddenly arrived Roger Southwell himself, and on his arm a woman cloaked so her face was covered. As when you do drop a stone into a pool and ripples spread outwards, so then a silence spread in the room. Master Pakeman turned to see Roger, and I could detect no trace of art nor magic about the man; nor was he in his customary black humour.
    —Master, says he, here’s your daughter Ann rescued safe from her captor; and we all stood amazed as she took down the cloak from her face.
    —How camest thou here, and in such company? demands Master Pakeman. And art thou truly unharmed? I shall want your tale, Master Southwell, and twill go hard with you an you cannot explain how this came to pass.
    —Tis simple enough, says Roger, quiet and modest like unto an humble man, for I have seen your daughter stolen, and