The guide said no more. He regretted having said so much, for the man glanced at him suspiciously.
Affecting an air of unconcern he turned away and bade his comrades follow.
“Come,” he said, when out of ear-shot of the man, “we must pass through this village quickly, for we know not in what house the spies may have taken up their quarters.”
“But, don’ you tink,” suggested Ebony, “dat we five could wallop any oder five men in de univarse, to say not’ing ob two spies?”
A grim smile was all the reply that the guide gave him, as he walked quickly along the path that led out of the hamlet.
“I have a friend,” he said to Mark, “who lives in a solitary cottage half-a-mile further on. He is rich, and, I think, a Christian man—but secretly, for fear of the Queen. We will call at his house in passing.”
As he spoke, they approached a large house by the roadside, the owner of which, a brown old gentleman, was enjoying himself with his wife and family in front of it.
“Is that your friend?” asked Mark.
“No; he lives in the house just beyond. We shall see it on clearing this group of trees.”
The track which they were following led close past the large house above referred to, necessitating compliance with a custom of the country, which greatly surprised, and not a little amused, the Englishmen.