"It touches yourself very closely," he said, searching my face with his eyes.
"Well; what is it?" asked I—my heart beginning to beat a little.
"Mr. Mallock," he said, very gravely, "there is an order for your arrest. If you will come back with me quietly to my lodgings we can effect all that is necessary without scandal."
CHAPTER IV
I said never a word as we went back, first downstairs between the Yeomen, then to the right, and so round through the little familiar passage and up the stairs. I could hear the tramp of guards behind, and knew that they had followed us from the Queen's lodgings and would be at the doors after we were within. I was completely stunned, except, I think, for a little glimmer of sense still left which told me that the least said in any public place, the better. Mr. Chiffinch, too, I could see very well, was as bewildered as myself—for, so far as I was concerned, there was not yet the faintest suspicion in my mind as to what was the matter. At least, I told myself, my conscience was clear.
So soon as we were within the closet, the page, having again shut the door carefully behind me came forward to where I stood.
"Sit down, Mr. Mallock," said he, in a low voice, but very kindly.
I could see that his face was very pale and that he seemed greatly agitated. When I was seated, he sat himself down at his table a little way off.
"This is a terrible affair," he said, "and I do not know—"
"For God's sake," I whispered suddenly, "tell me what I am charged with."