“Ah, that’s it, is it?” said the other with a nod, “but for such a trade you need your weapons by your side.”
“The deadliest weapons,” rejoined the king mysteriously, “are not always those most plainly on view. The sting of the wasp is generally felt before it is seen.”
The landlord was plainly disturbed by the intelligence he had received, and now made some ado to get the change for the gold piece, but his guest replied airily that it did not matter.
“With whatever’s coming to me,” he said, “feed the next beggar that applies to you on a rainy night with less at his belt to commend him than I have.”
“Well, good-day to you, and thank you,” said the innkeeper. “If you’re going Stirling way, your road’s straight through the forest, and when you come to St. Ninians you’ll be in time to see a fine hanging, for they’re throttling Baldy Hutchinson to-day, the biggest man between here and the Border, yes, and beyond it, I warrant.”
“That will be interesting,” replied the king. “Good-day to you.”
“Five stalwart ruffians fell upon him.”