He thought a moment. "Agreed," said he. "'Tis no harm and no good to no one. If your ears itch you shall have it."
"Then 'tis sealed on that," I replied, and happened to look away a moment from him.
In the moonlight the heath emerged dimly, and I descried near a patch of bushes a waiting figure.
"So," said I, "that is your game, my master. You bring confederates, and accept of my terms to betray me. Damme, but I will shoot ye both where ye stand or run."
Now, I was broke out very furious, for it seemed to me that I saw the whole purpose of this ambush very clearly, and I raised my pistol as I spoke.
"What's that?" said he, suddenly, and stared at me, and then away to where my eyes had gone. But at that instant the waiting figure took to its heels and ran in a white light, limping as it ran till it vanished swiftly into the darkness.
"By the Lord, Crookes!" said my tobyman.
"So," said I, not now realising where I was, but feeling cautiously ahead. "And who may Crookes be that's such a white-liver?"
"'Tis Sir Damon's servant," said he, and added: "'Tis in the tale and the bargain."
"In that case," said I, "let's have the tale and the bargain ere my mind shifts, as it is apt to do of a cold November night."