"What's this fellow doing here?" demanded his master, as soon as Hugh stepped into the room.
"Can't say, sir," replied Hugh, gazing at Edmund with well-simulated surprise, "maybe he's in drink."
"A likely story, that. Do drunken folk climb up ladders, eh?"
"Not always, sir."
"How long has he been up here, now?"
"Never seen him afore, sir," returned the unabashed ostler, with an air of perfect candour.
"You will be getting into serious trouble some day if you don't be careful to speak the truth," exclaimed his master, "so I warn you, sir. Now, out with it; he was here when you went down."
"I had not seen him then, by the blessed Virgin I had not. I have never clap't eyes on the knave before!"
"Now, mind, I warn you, so be careful."
"I had only just got up, master; upon my word I had. I had not sufficient time to see anybody before you came and sent me down," and at the remembrance of that event he stepped back a pace or two in order that his previous experience might not be repeated.