"It is possible he might help you, sir. He lodges in the house; but he comes sometimes to see a woman that is sick here."
Robin demanded where she lived.
"At the last house, sir—a little beyond the rest. She is one of her Grace's kitchen-women. They moved her out here, thinking it might be the fever she had."
This was plainly a communicative fellow; but the priest thought it wiser not to take too much interest. He tossed the man a coin and rode on.
* * * * *
The last house was a little better built than the others, and stood further back from the road. Robin dismounted here, and, with a nod to Mr. Arnold, who was keeping his countenance admirably, walked up to the door and knocked on it. It was opened instantly, as if he were expected, but the woman's face fell when she saw him.
"Is Mr. Bourgoign within?" asked the priest.
The woman glanced over him before answering, and then out to where the horses waited.
"No, sir," she said at last. "We were looking for him just now…."
(She broke off.) "He is coming now," she said.
Robin turned, and there, walking down the road, was an old man, leaning on a stick, richly and soberly dressed in black, wearing a black beaver hat on his head. A man-servant followed him at a little distance.