I was left a good deal to myself during the morning--Mr. Rumbald's powers of dissimulation being, I think, less than his desire for them; and I did not quarrel with that. I was very restless myself, and spent a good deal of time in examining the house and the old arms, used no doubt, forty years ago in the Civil War, that were hung up everywhere. Within, as well as without, it was liker an arsenal or a barracks, than a dwelling-house. Its lonely situation too, and its strength, made it a very suitable place for such a design as that which its owner had for it. The great chamber, at the head of the stairs, and over the archway, where we had our food, was no doubt the room where the conspirators had held their meetings. A little before eleven o'clock, as I was walking in the open space between the house and the gate, I saw a fellow look in suddenly from the road, and then was away again. Every movement perturbed me, as may be imagined in such suspense; yet anything was better than ignorance, and I called out to let him see that I had observed him. So he came forward again; and I saw him to be the little carpenter, or what not, that had wished to speak to Rumbald yesterday at the inn. He saluted me very properly. "I beg your pardon, sir," said he, "but is Mr. Rumbald within?" Now I had seen Mr. Rumbald, not ten minutes ago, slip back into the house from the outhouses where he had pretended to go upon some preparation or other for the reception of the assassins this evening; but he had not known that I saw him. "He is very busy at present," said I. "Cannot I do your business for you?" (I tried to look as if I knew more than I did.) "Why, sir," he said, "I think not." He seemed, I thought, in a very pitiable state. (I learned some months later that he was come down expressly to dissuade Rumbald from any attempt at that time; but I did not know that then.) Here, only, thought I, is one of the chicken-hearted ones. I determined to play upon his fears, if I could, and at the same time, perhaps, upon his hopes. "I think I can, however," I said. "You would be out of the business, if you could, would you not?" He turned so white that I thought he would have fallen. I saw that my shot had told; but it was not a hard one to make. "Hold up, man," I said. "Why, what do you suppose I am here for?" "What business, sir?" he said. "I do not know what you mean." I smiled; so that he could see me do it. "Very good, then," I said. "I will leave you to Mr. Rumbald;" and I made as if I would pass on. "Sir," he said, "can you give me any assurance?... I am terrified." And indeed he looked it; so I supposed that he thought that the attempt was indeed to be made to-day. I determined on a bold stroke. "My man!" I said. "If you will tell me your name, and then begone at once, back to town, I will tell you something that will be of service to you. If not--" and I broke off.