And the animal was soon in the possession of the
spy for a very fair sum in exchange.
"I will but fix his bridle for thee," said the man, "while thou payest
the reckoning, and then mayest thou ride with speed and safety. I may
not stay to see thee go, for I must instantly depart."
"Ay, thou hast a hard master, no doubt," observed Walter Skinner, with
a shake of the head.
"Necessity is my master," said the stranger.
"Ay, ay, no doubt," returned Walter Skinner, going toward the bar.
"Necessity is not mine, however."
A half-hour later, when the spy was ready to set out, the stranger had
disappeared. But he did not miss him, for the landlord himself had come
out into the yard to see him off, while all the grooms stood about, and
two or three maids looked on.
"Good people, give back," said Walter Skinner, grandly. "Block not the
way of the king's man. Ye mean well and kindly, no doubt, but I would
have ye withdraw yourselves a little space."
By the help of a groom he was mounted, and a moment later he was out of
the inn yard. But now a strange thing happened. He was no sooner out of
the town than the horse refused to be controlled.
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