Some trace of my feelings must have been revealed in my attitude—my face he could not have seen in the darkness—for he continued:
"You need not fear me, Master Ormerod. I mean you no harm. I could not do harm to your father's son."
"But you?" I asked. "Who are you, sir?"
He chuckled dryly.
"You know my name," he answered, "and you heard the watch acknowledge my civic dignity. For the rest—if you have spent much time in Dorset you should know a Dorset voice."
"I do that," I assented heartily, "and 'tis grateful to my ears."
"Then be content with that, sir, for a few minutes. Come, let us be on our way. I have reasons for not wishing to invite a second attack upon us."
He set off at a great pace, his head buried in his cloak collar, and I walked beside him, puzzled exceedingly.