He stopped with a look of consternation, for even as he spoke, the passage door again opened, and they heard a man’s voice calling aloud: "This way, Master Peters, we can transact our business somewhat more privately here." The only possible hiding place the room afforded was the space between the high-backed settle and the wall. In an instant the two had stepped back into its shadow, and crouched there, scarce daring to breathe, hoping only that the dim uncertain light might conceal their presence from the two men who a moment later entered the room. The first was a big, burly farmer, with round, red, solemn face and somewhat wooden cast of countenance. He took up his stand by the table, facing the settle, but with the light between him and the fugitives. His companion afforded a marked contrast; a small, thin, wiry, sharp-featured man. His pale face was alight with intellect, but his narrow-set blue eyes were hard as steel, and while seeming to pierce a man’s inner-most thoughts, yet gave in return no vestige of answering confidence. He was soberly suited in black, and carried in his hand an open letter, and a small bag of gold. This was no other than Master Stephen Jewars, my Lord Jeffrey’s clerk and secretary, one in whom it was commonly averred his lordship trusted more nearly and confided more honestly than in any other living man. The secretary, laying the letter open upon the table, turned and faced the farmer. "You are after your time, Master Peters," he began, "I had expected you yestere’en." "Aye, aye," answered the farmer slowly. "I were in Taunton then, sure enow, but the mare were took bad and I could not leave her." "Hum," answered the other somewhat sharply. "You should recollect, Master Peters, time is precious." "Aye, your honour," answered the farmer imperturbably. "But so is hosses." The secretary started angrily, and eyed the solemn face of his companion doubtfully. Then satisfied by his scrutiny, his lip curled slightly, and he proceeded: "Well, well, now you are here, I need not detain you. I see by this letter that you successfully carried out your undertaking." "Aye, aye, sure enough. I took Master Ferguson to——" "Master Peters," interrupted the other sharply, "you will do well to remember this is a matter requiring much circumspection. We will, therefore, have no names, if you please." "Why, there be none here to hearken," answered the farmer, in aggrieved surprise. "There is a saying that walls have ears. You cannot be too careful." "As your honour pleases," answered the man with a shrug. "I took the man, you know who, safe to Lime right under the noses of the troopers, he lying hid in my cart. He bided three nights in my house, and then I shipped him to France wi’ my wife’s cousin." "’Twas well done, Master Peters, and here is the price for your task."