Goldstein, his muddied wits stirred, may be, by some vision borrowed from Sir Jasper, knew his man at last. “It was you who rode with the Pretender, when we went near to capture you after Derby?” “I was with the Prince,” said Sir Jasper, with a smile that bewildered Goldstein and his troopers; “but, sir, you did not come near to capturing us. You were too--too clumsy, shall I say?” Goldstein’s troopers liked the free, courageous bearing of the man, and he knew it. “Well, we’re here,” he said dourly. “You admit little, but your life--it’s not worth a poor man’s purchase, surely?” Sir Jasper took a look at the hills, as moor-bred men will do at these times. “It was worth a poor Man’s purchase once--near two thousand years ago,” he said, with the bearing of a man and the simplicity of a child who does not fear or doubt. Goldstein had gone through many a rugged fight, overseas in Flanders; but the way of this man’s courage was unfamiliar, and it daunted him. “There are one-and-twenty of us,” he said irresolutely, “and you’re alone. You’ll not fight single-handed?” “No,” said Sir Jasper, handling his snuff-box lazily and giving no outward sign that he had crossed himself. “No, in any case I shall not fight single-handed. Have you any further questions to ask, sir? The sun is getting down, and I’ve a ride before me.” To Goldstein this man’s calm was insolence, and he knew that he was losing ground constantly with the men behind him. “Yes, I’ve a question or two to ask,” he snapped. “You can buy your life by a straight answer.” “But the price may be too heavy,” protested Sir Jasper. “You were with the Pretender soon after Derby, on your own confession.” “With Prince Charles Edward, by your leave,” the other corrected, with the same pleasant smoothness. “Oh, curse you! what do titles matter? The pretty boy with the love-locks--you were with him, that day we nearly took you both.” “I was with him, and it was a privilege. Believe me, sir, I have some miles to go, and dusk is coming on. Can I answer any other doubts you have--of my honesty, shall I say?”