[Illustration: The Little Spy and Humphrey]
"It may be," reflected Walter Skinner, "that he hath bestowed his
master, as he thinketh in safety, in a neighboring abbey or priory.
From whence my master will not be long in haling him out. For what
careth the king for abbots or priors? And so let him leave off this
partridge dance he hath been leading me about the streets." And he
scowled upon the apparently unconscious serving-man.
"Ay, let him scowl," thought Humphrey, with his mouth full of savory
viands that filled him with satisfaction. "He may do more scowling ere
evening if he like. I did go up a ladder and climb a tree last night."
His dinner over, Humphrey went out to the stables, whither Walter
Skinner followed him as if to look after the welfare of his own horse,
thus confirming Humphrey's suspicion that he had recognized him. And
the serving-man at once put on an air of self-confidence and pride in
his own wisdom which effectually concealed his anxiety from the
watching Walter Skinner. He entered into conversation with the grooms,
and let fall, in a loud voice, such a weight of opinions as must have
crushed any intelligent mind to consider.
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