"Alack! Captain, we have kept it for you. Sure you are not afear'd."
"No," said he, doggedly; "no hope, no fear."
She stared, but said nothing.
He had hardly got into the room when, click, a key was turned in the door of communication. "A traveller there!" said he. Then, bitterly, "Things are soon forgotten in an inn."
"Not by me," said Barbara solemnly. "But you know our dame, she can't let money go by her. 'Tis our best room, mostly, and nobody would use it that knows the place. He is a stranger. He is from the wars: will have it he is English, but talks foreign. He is civil enough when he is sober, but when he has got a drop he does maunder away to be sure, and sings such songs I never."
"How long has he been here?" asked Cowen.
"Five days, and the mistress hopes he will stay as many more, just to break the spell."
"He can stay or go," said Cowen. "I am in no humor for company. I have been robbed, girl."
"You robbed, sir? Not openly, I am sure."
"Openly—but by numbers—three of them. I should soon have sped one, but my pistol snapped fire just like his. There, leave me, girl; fate is against me, and a curse upon me. Bubbled out of my fortune in the City, robbed of my gold upon the road. To be honest is to be a fool."