"Otho hath ceased to suspect me. He thinks I have given up all thoughts of wedding Nancy, seeing that my father hath willed that he shall wed her."
I waited in silence.
"A priest is coming here from Padstow shortly," he went on. "It is intended that Otho and Nancy shall be wedded before he leaves. If you will help me, we will baulk him. I will take her away. I know a parson near Bodmin, and he will wed her to me."
"Whether the maid wills or no?"
"She will be glad enough to wed me, I'll lay to that,"—and again he strutted around the room.
"And how will you do this?" I asked.
"Nay, I will not tell you until I get your promise. Give me your word, Roger Trevanion, and I will tell you how you shall get out of this hole; also my plans for taking away the maid Nancy from the marriage altar."
In truth, I felt less inclined to give my promise to Benet than to Otho; but I had become more cautious.
"But why need you my help?" I asked.
"Because,"—he unlocked the door and listened carefully before replying; then, after locking it again, came back to me, and continued: "Because Otho hath bewitched almost everybody, and because I need such a man as you to carry out my plans."