Norton gave one of his short scoffing laughs.
“I faith I scarce know if I could be served by one of such a vinegar aspect!”
“Dost thou love Mistress Hilary Unett?” asked the wood-carver, sternly.
The Colonel started.
“What is that to you, scarecrow?”
“I had heard gossip in the village as to thy wooing of her, and I thought mayhap a knowledge of the doings of her old lover, Captain Harford, might be worth something to thee.”
“Harford!” cried the Colonel, in surprise. “What do you know of him?”
Waghorn carefully adjusted a screw in the spinning-wheel, then looked up shrewdly.
“What would the knowledge be worth to thee?”
“Oh! You want money! Here! I’m as poor as a rook, but for the whole truth about this cursed lover I’ll give you a crown piece.”