"Are there no highwaymen or horse-stealers in these parts?"
"We ain't a 'ad a 'oss stailed for 'ears," was the reply.
"Well, keep your eye on that stable," I said sternly. "If anything happens to those horses, you'll be hanged."
"I'll mind, sur," replied the man; "nobody shall tich 'em. Nobody shall go into the stable but me;" and I knew by the look of dogged determination on his face that he meant what he said.
At this moment I heard the clatter of hoofs, and I hurried into the house. I saw the landlord go to the door, and heard him say to the horseman: "No sur, you can't stable yer 'oss. A party 'ave jist come, sur, and I've only room for dree 'osses."
"Well, all right," said Clement Killigrew in tones scarcely above a whisper, "fasten him here to the crook at the door, 'twill be just as well. I suppose I can have a bottle of wine. By the way, do not let the other party know I have come here."
"No, sur, I wa'ant let em knaw, but I a'ant got no wine. A jug of good ale, sur."
"All right, that will do;" then he said something in low tones to the landlord, which I did not hear.
"All right, sur," I heard the innkeeper say in reply. "I'll 'tend to et, sur; but you'll 'ave to go into the kitchen among the farmers-men, the palor is okkipied."