night, as I was a-riding home, very nigh the same place, all suddenly an hand was laid upon my bridle. An highwayman, thought I; and I remembered that I had little money upon me. But in the stead of easing me of my purse, mine highwayman put unto me a strange question.--`What is your name, and where dwell you?'--`Verily,' said I, `I might ask the same of you. But sithence I am in no wise ashamed neither of my name nor my dwelling-place, know you, that the one is Stephen Thorpe, and the other is Bodmin. What more would you?'--`Your calling?'--`A physician.'--`Enough,' quoth my strange questioner. `I pray you to alight from your horse, and have no fear of me. I will do you no harm; I would not hurt you for a thousand pieces in good red gold. I want neither your money (howsoever much it be) nor your valuables that may be on you. Only, I pray you, let us two whisper together a season.'--`In good sooth,' said I, `I have nought to whisper unto you.'--`But I have to you,' saith he, `and what I say must not be spoken aloud. You would trust me if you knew what I would have.'--`Well, friend,' quoth I, `for a friend metrusteth you be, I will do as you bid me. All the money I have upon me is but some few shillings, and to them, if you lack, you are welcome. For valuable matter, I carry none; and I myself am an old man, no longer of much service unto any. If you desire me to ply my trade of healing, I am content; but I warn you that by murdering of me you should gain little beside an evil conscience.'--So with that I 'lighted down.--`Throw the bridle on your arm,' saith he, `and follow me.'--So, linking his arm in mine, he drew me (for it was pitch dark, and how he found his way I know not) aside from the road, unto a small forsaken and ruinated hut that stood on the common.--`Stand where you be a moment,' quoth he; and striking the tinder, he lit a rush candle. `Now, know you me?' saith he. `Not a whit better than afore,' quoth I.--He blew out the candle.--`You have forgot my face,' he saith. `Mind you a year gone, ministering unto a dying woman (as was thought), in this place, under an hedge, whereby you did recover her of her malady?'--`I know you now,' said I; `you are that woman's husband.' `Then you are aware,' answereth he, `that I would do you no hurt.'--`Say on,' quoth I.--`Suffer me,' saith he, `to ask you certain questions.'--`So be it,' said I.--Then he,--`Is your house in Bodmin your own?'--`It is so,' answered I, marvelling if he were about to ask me for mine house.--`Sell it,' quoth he, `and quickly.'--`Wherefore?' answered I.--`I passed no word touching your questions,' quoth he, grimly.--`In good sooth,' said I, `this is a strange matter, for a man to be bidden to sell his house, and not told wherefore.'--`You shall see stranger things than that,' he answered, `ere your head be hoarier by twain s'ennight from now.'--`Well! say on,' quoth I.--`Have you,' pursueth he, `any money lent unto any friend, or set out at usury? You