For one moment John hesitated. The situation was just a little too delicate for the worthy smith to handle. But he felt, as Sir Humphrey was going to Aldwark and therefore would surely meet Lady Patience, that lying would be worse than useless, and might even arouse unpleasant suspicions.
"'Twas Lady Patience Gascoyne's coach," he said at last.
"Ah!" said the Squire, with the same obvious indifference. "Whither did she go?"
"I was at work in my forge, your Honour, and her ladyship did not stop. I fancy she drove down Wirksworth way, but I did not see or hear for I was very busy."
"Hm!" commented his Honour, whilst a shrewd and somewhat sarcastic smile played round the corners of his full lips.
"I'll stay the night at Aldwark," he said, nodding to the smith. "Faith! no more travelling after dark for me on this unhallowed Moor; and for sure my horses could not reach Wirksworth now before nightfall. So have the pistols ready for me by seven o'clock to-morrow morning, eh, mine honest friend?"
Then he entered his carriage, and slowly, with many a creak and a groan, the cumbersome vehicle turned down the road to Aldwark, whilst John Stich, with a dubious, anxious sigh, went back into his forge.
CHAPTER VII
THE HALT AT THE MOORHEN
Patience herself would have been quite unable to explain why she mistrusted, almost feared, Sir Humphrey Challoner.