“He’s likely to prove a troublesome customer. He is muscular, as you can see, and not easily scared.”
“Has he any suspicion of you?”
“Yes; I put my foot in it the other night.”
“How’s that?”
“I saw him sleeping like a boy, and thought there was no danger of his waking up, so I took the liberty to explore his pockets. Before I could say Jack Robinson he had me by the throat, and wanted to know what I was after.”
“That was awkward. How did you get out of it?”
“Lied out! Told him I was looking for matches, as I wanted a smoke.”
“Did he swallow it down?”
“He didn’t contradict me, but it has made him watchful and suspicious. If I’d got the money, I was ready to make tracks, and leave them to find their way as they could.”
At this point the two rose and walked away, leaving Harry in his position behind the tree. As soon as he thought it was safe he came out, and made the best of his way to the inn, getting there about fifteen minutes before Fletcher appeared, but without the landlord. During that interval he had time to communicate what he had heard to Obed Stackpole.