Nicholas was returning from Foxholes, Stubley, and Pike House. Passing, in a disconsolate mood, through the gate leading from the lane to his own porch, he met Noman, apparently departing. The beggar, seeing his approach, assumed his usual stiff and inflexible attitude, pausing ere he passed. A vague surmise, for which he could not account, prompted the suspicions of Nicholas Haworth towards this unimportant personage.
"What is thy business to-day abroad?" he inquired hastily.
"A word in thine ear, master," said the beggar.
"Say on, then; and grant that it may have an inkling of my sister!"
"She hath departed."
"That I know. But whither?"
"Ask the little devilkins I saw yesternight. I have told ye oft o' the sights and terrible things that have visited me i' the boggart chamber, and that the ghost begged hard for a victim."
"What! thou dost not surely suppose he hath borne away my sister?"
"I have said it!" replied the mendicant, with an air of mystery.
"We'll have the place exorcised, and the spirit laid; and thou"—said Nicholas, pausing—"have a care that we hale thee not before the justice for practising with forbidden and devilish devices."