Within twelve days of the burial of my mother and the telling of the story of his marriage to her by my father, I was ready to start upon my search.  As it chanced a vessel was about to sail from Yarmouth to Cadiz.  She was named the ‘Adventuress,’ of one hundred tons burden, and carried wool and other goods outwards, purposing to return with a cargo of wine and yew staves for bows.  In this vessel my father bought me a passage.  Moreover, he gave me fifty pounds in gold, which was as much as I would risk upon my person, and obtained letters from the Yarmouth firm of merchants to their agents in Cadiz, in which they were advised to advance me such sums as I might need up to a total of one hundred and fifty English pounds, and further to assist me in any way that was possible.

Now the ship ‘Adventuress’ was to sail on the third day of June.  Already it was the first of that month, and that evening I must ride to Yarmouth, whither my baggage had gone already.  Except one my farewells were made, and yet that was the one I most wished to make.  Since the day when we had sworn our troth I had gained no sight of Lily except once at my mother’s burial, and then we had not spoken.  Now it seemed that I must go without any parting word, for her father had sent me notice that if I came near the Hall his serving men had orders to thrust me from the door, and this was a shame that I would not risk.  Yet it was hard that I must go upon so long a journey, whence it well might chance I should not return, and bid her no goodbye.  In my grief and perplexity I spoke to my father, telling him how the matter stood and asking his help.

‘I go hence,’ I said, ’to avenge our common loss, and if need be to give my life for the honour of our name.  Aid me then in this.’

’My neighbour Bozard means his daughter for your brother Geoffrey, and not for you, Thomas,’ he answered; ’and a man may do what he wills with his own.  Still I will help you if I can, at the least he cannot drive me from his door.  Bid them bring horses, and we will ride to the Hall.’

Within the half of an hour we were there, and my father asked for speech with its master.  The serving man looked at me askance, remembering his orders, still he ushered us into the justice room where the Squire sat drinking ale.

‘Good morrow to you, neighbour,’ said the Squire; ’you are welcome here, but you bring one with you who is not welcome, though he be your son.’

’I bring him for the last time, friend Bozard.  Listen to his request, then grant it or refuse it as you will; but if you refuse it, it will not bind us closer.  The lad rides to-night to take ship for Spain to seek that man who murdered his mother.  He goes of his own free will because after the doing of the deed it was he who unwittingly suffered the murderer to escape, and it is well that he should go.’

’He is a young hound to run such a quarry to earth, and in a strange country,’ said the Squire.  ’Still I like his spirit and wish him well.  What would he of me?’