“Pleasantly so.”

“Did yo’ come bi ‘Th’ Sun.’”

I acknowledged that I had passed the doors of that hospitable inn.

“Rare ale at ‘Th’ Sun.’”

I agreed.

“Aw could sup a quart now, by gow I could.”

I fumbled in my breeches pocket and pulled forth a silver coin. The rogue’s eyes glistened.

“I don’t want a horse. I want to know in which of these houses I shall find Ephraim Sykes.”

“Yo’r noan after him, are yo’?”

“After him?”