“No, it is such a long way round; I shall keep this side the river.”
“What, with all this snow!”
“Yes, if I can get off to-day; the sky is clear and the weather set and the snow hard.”
“Well, good-bye, my boy. God bless you and I trust the Lord will grant you success.”
John Arnside obtained the permission with no trouble at all, made himself up a bundle, put it on a stick over his shoulder, kissed his mother and set off.
Fortune favoured him and on the third day he was in Carlisle without mishap.
He enquired for the Golden Keys and easily found the house, but Walter was not there. He found, however, a man seated by the fire; he was of medium height, lightly built and well proportioned. He looked very ill and was holding one knee with his hands as he leaned back, and was gazing into the fire with his deep set eyes.
“Come and sit by the fire, lad, the day is cold.”
John came as invited. “I heard you asking for Walter Margrove,” said the stranger, “he will not be here for some time. I hope your business is not of importance.”