Said I: “If you are he that keeps this house, I want two things of you—first, a civil tongue, and next a bed.”
“Ye’ll get neither, then.”
“Your sign says that you keep an inn.”
“Aye—the ‘Three Cups’: but we’re full.”
“Your manner of speech proves that to be a lie.”
I liked the fellow’s voice so little that ’tis odds I would have re-mounted Molly and ridden away; but at this instant there floated down the stairs and out through the drink-smelling passage a sound that made me jump. ’Twas a girl’s voice singing——
“Hey nonni—nonni—no! Men are fools that wish to die! Is’t not fine to laugh and sing When the bells of death do ring——”
There was no doubt upon it. The voice belonged to the young gentlewoman I had met at Hungerford. I turned sharply toward the landlord, and was met by another surprise. The second man, that till now had stood well back in the shadow, was peering forward, and devouring Molly with his gaze. ’Twas hard to read his features, but then and there I would have wagered my life he was no other than Luke Settle’s comrade, Black Dick.
My mind was made up. “I’ll not ride a step further, to-night,” said I. “Then bide there and freeze,” answer’d the landlord.
He was for slamming the door in my face, when the other caught him by the arm and, pulling him a little back, whisper’d a word or two. I guess’d what this meant, but resolved not to draw back; and presently the landlord’s voice began again, betwixt surly and polite——