"There is no reason upon earth," said the landlady, "why Garret should not do it: it is but a step to the Fort and back."
"I can take my nag and ride there in twenty minutes," said Garret. "I warrant you his Lordship will think the message wisely entrusted to me."
"Then get you gone, without parley," exclaimed the dame.
"The key of the stable, wife," said Garret.
"If you will go, Master Garret," said Dauntrees—"and it is very obliging of you—do it quickly. Tell Nicholas Verbrack to look in my scritoire; he will find the pacquet addressed to his Lordship. Take it, and see it safely put into his Lordship's hands. Say to Nicholas, moreover, that I will be at the Fort before ten to-night. You comprehend?"
"I comprehend," replied Garret, as his wife gave him the key of the stable, and he departed from the room.
"Now, Captain."
"Well, mistress: you must know that Peregrine Cadger, the mercer, who in the main is a discreet man——"
"Yes."
"A discreet man—I mean, bating some follies which you wot of; for this trading and trafficking naturally begets foresight. A man has so much to do with the world in that vocation, and the world, Mistress Dorothy, is inclined by temper to be somewhat knavish, so that they who have much to do with it learn cautions which other folks do not. Now, in our calling of soldiership, caution is a sneaking virtue which we soon send to the devil; and thereby you may see how it is that we are more honest than other people. Caution and honesty do not much consort together."