This gave me my chance, and I was about to strike him in the face, when I heard Amelia's voice outside.
"Come, sir, quick."
I left the room, while the men gave a loud guffaw at my supposed discomfiture.
"Git the 'osses out quick, sir," cried the maid.
"Why?"
"Do as she tells you," said Mistress Nancy.
"He'll ride after us as before," I objected.
"No he wa'ant, not fur," cried Amelia.
I did as they suggested, and when I had paid the landlord I prepared to mount. I was still in the dark why Mistress Nancy had suggested this course of procedure, but it was for her to command and me to obey. I kept my eyes steadily on the front door while my two companions mounted. I thought I saw Clement Killigrew come out, but was not sure.
"Ride on quickly out of pistol range," I said to them, then I walked backward by Chestnut's side for twenty or thirty yards, all the time holding my pistol in my right hand. No one following, I placed my foot in the stirrup and was soon galloping down the road. We had not gone far when I heard the sound of hoofs behind us.