The traveler took off the carriage lamp, which Gilbert held curiously in his hands.
"It has no light," he said.
"I have fire in my pocket."
"Pretty hard to get fire from flint and steel this weather," observed the youth.
But the other drew a silver case from his pocket, and opening the lid plunged a match into it; a flame sprang up and he drew out the match aflame. This was so sudden and unexpected by the youth, who only knew of tinder and the spark, and not of phosphorus, the toy of science at this period, that he started. He watched the magician restore the case to his pocket with greed. He would have given much to have the instrument.
He went on before with the lighted lamp, while his companion forced the horses to come by his hand on the bridle.
"You appear to know all about this Baron of Taverney, my lad!" he began the dialogue.
"I have lived on his estate since a child."
"Oh, your kinsman, tutor, master?"