In a very short time Ben, having left the Porcupine behind, arrived at the house of Robert Morris and sounded the heavy brass knocker. A thin-shouldered woman in a white cap came to the door and replied to his questions.
“No,” she said, “Mr. Morris is not at home. Indeed, he will not be home until late, by all accounts, for I’ve heard it said that he’ll sup to-night at one of the taverns with some friends.”
“My business is important,” said Ben. “Can you tell me at which of the taverns he will be?”
But the woman shook her head.
“No,” she said. “I am sorry, young gentleman, but I cannot.”
Ben considered for a moment.
“Will you oblige me with a pen full of ink and a slip of paper?” he asked.
Thereupon the woman invited him to walk in; in the wide hall he was provided with the desired articles, and so wrote a few lines explaining who he was and the nature of his errand. The note he gave to the woman.
“I shall return between this and midnight,” he said. “Mr. Morris will, no doubt, have returned by then.”
“Oh, yes, sir,” replied the woman, earnestly. “He will be sure to be home by then. And I will give him your message as soon as he comes.”