I will send them also to the Isle of Axholme,
where I judge sorrow hath met the other king's man, since the horseshoe
had of the Evil One did come galloping back without a rider." And he
smiled ingratiatingly at Richard Wood, who took no notice of him.
Whereat, somewhat crestfallen, he was fain to lead the horse away, the
others having been already taken care of by other grooms who had no
thought of the Isle of Axholme, and no hopeful expectation of coins.
The morning that saw Hugo and Humphrey far on their way to Lincoln saw
Richard Wood rise refreshed at the Green Dragon with his determination
to continue the chase well renewed. And that same morning it had
occurred to the vacant-faced groom that he must speak now or never if
he expected any reward for his speech. So the instant Richard Wood
appeared in the inn yard he sidled up to him and began, at the same
time knocking his grooming tools, which he still held in his hands,
nervously together, an accompaniment to his speech, which seemed to
surprise the spy. "I did come from Gainsborough two nights agone," he
said.
"That is naught to me, varlet," interrupted Richard Wood.
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