"If I
am not greatly out of my reckoning," he added, " these are the last
jousts Queen Anne will behold."
"The saints forefend!" cried Shoreditch; "what reason have you for
thinking so?"
"That I may not declare," replied Cutbeard; "but before the jousts are
over you will see whether I have been rightly informed or not."
"Hush!" exclaimed Shoreditch."There is a tall monk eyeing us strangely;
and I am not certain that he has not overheard what you have said."
"He is welcome to the intelligence," replied Cutbeard; "the end will
prove its truth."
Though this was uttered in a confident tone, he nevertheless glanced
with some misgiving at the monk, who stood behind Paddington. The
object of the investigation was a very tall man, with a cowl drawn over
his brow. He had a ragged black beard, fierce dark eyes, and a
complexion like bronze. Seeing Cutboard's glance anxiously fixed upon
him, he advanced towards him, and said in a low tone -
"You have nothing to fear from me; but talk not so loud if you value your
head."
"So saying he proceeded to another part of the lists.
"Who is that tall monk?" asked Paddington.
"Devil knows!" answered Cutbeard; "I never saw him before.
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