Part 40 (1/2)

”You may leave to-morrow as soon as you please. I have no letter to send. You may tell them that I am well, and will write as soon as I have any thing positive to communicate.”

Edward then made Sampson a present, and wished him a pleasant journey.

At the hour appointed on the following day, Edward repaired to Mr.

Langton, who received him very cordially.

”I am all ready for you, Master Armitage; there is a letter to two Catholic ladies in Lancas.h.i.+re, who will take great care of you; and here is one to a friend of mine in Yorks.h.i.+re. The ladies live about four miles from the town of Bolton, and my Yorks.h.i.+re friend in the city of York. You may trust to any of them. And now, farewell; and, if possible, leave London before nightfall-the sooner the better. Where is your servant?”

”He has returned to Master Heatherstone this morning.”

”You have done right. Lose no time to leave London; and don't be in a hurry in your future plans. You understand me. If any one accosts you on the road, put no trust in any professions. You, of course, are going down to your relations in the north. Have you pistols?”

”Yes, sir; I have a pair which did belong to the unfortunate Mr.

Ratcliffe.”

”Then they are good ones, I'll answer for it; no man was more particular about his weapons, or knew how to use them better. Farewell, Master Armitage, and may success attend you!”

Mr. Langton held out his hand to Edward, who respectfully took his leave.

CHAPTER XXII.

Edward was certain that Mr. Langton would not have advised him to leave London if he had not considered that it was dangerous to remain. He therefore first called upon the Hamburgh merchant, who, upon his explanation, gave him a letter of credit to a friend who resided in the city of York; and then returned to the hotel, packed up his saddle-bags, paid his reckoning, and, mounting his horse, set off on the northern road. As it was late in the afternoon before he was clear of the metropolis, he did not proceed farther than Barnet, where he pulled up at the inn. As soon as he had seen his horse attended to, Edward, with his saddle-bags on his arm, went into the room in the inn where all the travelers congregated. Having procured a bed, and given his saddle-bags into the charge of the hostess, he sat down by the fire, which, although it was warm weather, was nevertheless kept alight.

Edward had made no alteration in the dress which he had worn since he had been received in the house of Mr. Heatherstone. It was plain, although of good materials. He wore a high-crowned hat, and, altogether, would, from his attire, have been taken for one of the Roundhead party. His sword and shoulder-belt were indeed of more gay appearance than those usually worn by the Roundheads; but this was the only difference.

When Edward first entered the room, there were three persons in it, whose appearance was not very prepossessing. They were dressed in what had once been gay attire, but which now exhibited tarnished lace, stains of wine, arid dust from traveling. They eyed him as he entered with his saddle-bags, and one of them said-

”That's a fine horse you were riding, sir. Has he much speed?”

”He has,” replied Edward, as he turned away and went into the bar to speak with the hostess, and give his property into her care.

”Going north, sir?” inquired the same person when Edward returned.

”Not exactly,” replied Edward, walking to the window to avoid further conversation.

”The Roundhead is on the stilts,” observed another of the party.

”Yes,” replied the first; ”it is easy to see that he has not been accustomed to be addressed by gentlemen; for half a pin I would slit his ears!”

Edward did not choose to reply; he folded his arms and looked at the man with contempt.

The hostess, who had overheard the conversation, now called for her husband, and desired him to go into the room and prevent any further insults to the young gentleman who had just come in. The host, who knew the parties, entered the room, and said-

”Now you'll clear out of this as fast as you can; be off with you, and go to the stables, or I'll send for somebody whom you will not like.”

The three men rose and swaggered, but obeyed the host's orders, and left the room.

”I am sorry, young master, that these roisterers should have affronted you, as my wife tells me that they have. I did not know that they were in the house. We can not well refuse to take in their horses; but we know well who they are, and, if you are traveling far, you had better ride in company.”

”Thank you for your caution, my good host,” replied Edward; ”I thought that they were highwaymen, or something of that sort.”