"Then you may satisfy yourself that he had watched us out," replied the other sharply, "and was surprised enough to find anyone left up here." "Like enough," assented the baron. "He was pretty smart with his tricks, then," said Sir Thomas. "How was he to know I wanted any sack, I should like to know?" The question was unanswerable, and no one attempted to reply. "How did you know that, eh?" asked the proprietor, emphasising the question by a series of hearty shakings. Still there was no answer; Edmund would not speak. "Did you see him enter?" asked Sir Nicholas. "I did not know he was in the room until he tapped me on the shoulder. I was watching the play." "These rogues are wonderfully sharp," muttered Sir George. "Then probably he was in the room all the time," suggested the Lord Keeper. "What did the rascal say to you, my lord?" went on the tavern keeper. "He asked me whether I would have my sack spiced or no." "Ha! ha! ha!" laughed Sir George; "that was cool enough, at any rate. I think we ought to let the knave free this time for his wit." "And let him prey on somebody else?" added Sir Nicholas. "Bad policy, Sir George, bad policy. He might try his hand on you next time." "I wonder how much property of mine he has taken already?" continued the host. "I will have him thoroughly searched. I know the rascal well enough, he's been here before now many a time. There's a whole lot of them prowling around the neighbourhood; a regular gang. I'll make an example of this one, I will. You might as well give me what you have taken," he added, turning to his captive, "and save me the labour of taking it from you." "I have nothing of yours," replied Edmund, in a strangely foreign voice. "Not been through the house yet, maybe, eh!" "No." "Humph, I don't believe you. Here, Hugh," he cried, hearing the ostler moving about below, "come up here." Edmund's quondam friend and fellow conspirator came up in answer to the summons in no very enviable frame of mind, anticipating very correctly what was about to take place, and debating within himself what course of action to pursue. He quickly decided, however, that inasmuch as he had not yet possessed himself of the money due to him from the captive, that he would screen him as far as he was able--compatibly with his own safety. "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."