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54 The priest shall not be able to deny it in my presence, for I was at the delivery thereof: who hath gotten divers other rich ornaments into his hands, the which be not rehearsed or registered in any of my Lord's books of inventory or other writings, whereby any man is able to charge him therewith but only I.' Well, then,' quoth the King, 'let me alone, and keep this gear secret between yourself and me, and let no man know thereof; for if I hear any more of it, then I know by whom it came out. Howbeit,' quoth he, 'three may keep counsel if two be away; and if I knew that my cap were privy of my counsel, I would cast it into the fire and burn it. And for your truth and honesty ye shall be our servant, and be in that same room with us wherein you were with your old master. Therefore go your ways unto Sir John Gage our vice-chamberlain, to whom I have spoken already to give you your oath, and to admit you our servant in the said room; and then go to my Lord Norfolk, and he shall pay you your whole year's wages, which is ten pounds, is it not so?' quoth the King. 'Yes, forsooth,' quoth I, 'and I am behind for three-quarters of a year of the same wages.' 'That is true,' quoth the King, ' therefore ye shall have your whole year's wages, with our reward, delivered you by the Duke of Norfolk:' promising me, furthermore, to be my singular good lord, whensoever occasion should serve. And thus I departed from the King."

The sordid story—Henry's utter absence of real