"Horses!" said the landlord. "They follow you so sharply that it is well to be cautious. This way, sir."
He touched the wall where there certainly was no sign of a door, yet a door swung open inwards, disclosing a dark and narrow chamber. The guest entered it without question, and the landlord hurried out to meet the new arrivals.
"You ride late, gentlemen."
"And would sample your liquor, landlord," said Rosmore, dismounting and bidding his men do the same. "Have the horses looked to."
The landlord called in a stentorian voice, and a lad came running from the rear of the premises.
"Any other guests to-night, landlord?" Rosmore asked as he passed into the inn.
"No, sir, and not much chance of them. They're having a sort of feast in the village yonder—dancing and such-like; and what business there is 'The Blue Boar' will get—unless, mind you, a pair o' lovers is tempted to come up this way for the sake o' the walk."
"How far is the village?"
"Three-quarters of a mile by the road, half a mile by the path through the wood. But, bless you, sir, if the lovers were to come they'd get their refreshment out o' kisses and not trouble my ale."
"What do you call this place?"