“Let him be sent out of the colony, and they who are leagued in his plots with him,” said Spikeman.  “I understand now the wonderful eagerness of Master Arundel to be joined with him in this embassy.  Birds of a feather, says the proverb, do fly with greatest joy together.  Out upon this false Knight, for his pretended love of retirement; upon his leman, this lady Geraldine, forsooth; and this squire of dames, Master Miles Arundel, whose counterfeited affection for my ward may be only another cloak for most pernicious plots.”

“Thou art becoming suspicious of all the world.  Master Spikeman,” said Winthrop, smiling.

“And is it not time to be suspicious, when those who have been honored with the confidence of our government, and to whom we have entrusted an important matter, are discovered to be no better than landlaufers and conspirators?”

“Dost distrust the good faith of the Knight in his embassy?” inquired the Governor.

“A bitter fountain cannot send forth sweet water, and should even the undertaking of this false Knight be successful in appearance, would not my suspicion be quieted.”

“Come, Master Spikeman, remember that you may be called to sit as a judge on the fate of this gentleman, and that it becomes men in our positions to keep the mind free from injurious prepossessions, for only thus may justice, which is a ray from the effulgent countenance of Him who sits on the circle of the heavens, be attained.”

“This is no private matter of mine own,” answered the Assistant, “but a thing of public concernment; and I humbly trust, should ever my voice be demanded in its decision, that it will be raised to the glory of God, and the advancement of the interests of the colony which he has planted.  But I should consider myself derelict to duty, and unworthy of the trust committed to me, were I to hold back my honest judgment, in view of the evidence now before me, subject to such modification as further examination may give rise to, especially when that judgment is asked for by the honored head of our oppressed Israel.”

“It is my purpose,” said Winthrop, rising, wherein he was imitated by the other, “to call together, this evening, at this place, for the due consideration of this subject, such of the Assistants as may be here present in Boston, and to advise with them thereupon, when and where I shall hope to be favored with the presence and counsel of my friend, whose zeal is never slack in aught that may redound to the welfare of the Commonwealth.”

“My presence, God willing, may be depended on, worshipful sir,” answered Spikeman.