Here Obed gave an account of Fletcher's searching his pockets during the night.
"He thought I was sound asleep," he continued, "and so I was, but it doesn't take much to wake me. When I gripped his throat, he concluded he'd tackled the wrong man."
"Did you part company with him then?"
"No; he pretended he had been in search of matches, and I pretended to believe it, but kept a good look-out. Last evening we stopped at the Travellers' Rest, and Harry, here, overheard him and the landlord out in the woods concocting a scheme to rob us, so I just told the gentleman his room was better than his company, and he cleared out."
"I am afraid he will turn up again," said Granger apprehensively.
"We'll try to be ready for him," said Obed coolly, "but I don't mean to borrow any trouble."
By this time their new acquaintance had satisfied his hunger. He turned gratefully to Obed Stackpole.
"How can I thank you for your great kindness?" he said earnestly. "I feel that you have saved my life."
"Tut, tut." said Obed, "I've only done as you would have done in my place. Obed Stackpole isn't the man to let anyone go hungry when he has enough and to spare. But finish your story, my friend. How long is it since you parted company with that skunk, Fletcher?"
"I think it is only seven days, but it has seemed a month."