At the first words Diggle started and swung round, his right hand flying to his pocket; but recognizing the voice almost immediately, he laughed. "’Tis you, my friend," he said. "’Multa de nocte profectus es.’ But you’ve forgot all your Latin, Dick. What is the news, man? Come in." "The bird is flitting, Sim, that’s all. He has not been home. His mother was in a rare to-do. I pacified her, told her I’d sent him to Chester to sell oats--haw, haw! He has taken some clothes and gone. But he won’t go far, I trow, without seeing you, and I look to you to carry out the bargain." "Egad, Dick, I need no persuasion. He won’t go without me, I promise you that. I’ve a bone to pick with him myself--eh, friend Job?" Grinsell swore a hearty oath. At this moment the silence without was broken by the sound of a trotting horse. "Is the door bolted?" whispered Burke. "I mustn’t be seen here." "Trust me fur that," said Grinsell. "But no one will stop here at this time o’ night." But the three men stood silent, listening. The sound steadily grew louder; the horse was almost abreast of the inn; it was passing--but no, it came to a halt; they heard a man’s footsteps, and the sound of the bridle being hitched to a hook in the wall. Then there was a sharp rap at the door. "Who’s there?" cried Grinsell gruffly. "Open the door instantly," said a loud, masterful voice. Burke looked aghast. "You can’t let him in," he whispered. The others exchanged glances. "Open the door," cried the voice again. "D’you hear, Grinsell? At once!--or I ride to Drayton for the constables!" Grinsell gave Diggle a meaning look. "Slip out by the back door, Mr. Burke," said the innkeeper. "I’ll make a noise with the bolts so that he cannot hear you." Burke hastily departed, and Grinsell, after long, loud fumbling with the bolts, threw open the door and gave admittance to the Squire. "Ah, you are here both," said Sir Willoughby, standing in the middle of the floor, his riding-whip in his hand. "Now, Mr.--Diggle, I think you call yourself. I’m a man of few words, as you know. I have to say this. I give you till eight o’clock to-morrow morning; if you are not gone, bag and baggage, by that time, I will issue a warrant. Is that clear?" "Perfectly," said Diggle with his enigmatical smile. "And one word more. Show your face again in these parts and I will have you arrested. I have spared you twice for your mother’s sake. This is my last warning. Grinsell, you hear that too?" "I hear ’t," growled the man. "Remember it, for, mark my words, you’ll share his fate." The Squire was gone. Grinsell scowled with malignant spite; Diggle laughed softly.