"
He had not gone far when he came up with a man riding slowly along, and
decided to take him into his confidence so far as to ask if he had seen
those he sought. Accordingly he crowded Black Dick close alongside of
the stranger's horse, and, giving him a meaning glance, said, "Hast
thou seen a young lord this morn?"
The stranger looked astonished, as well he might.
"Ay," said Walter Skinner, much gratified. "I said a young lord. Mayhap
thou art not used to consort with such, but a young lord is not much
more to me than his Saxon serving-man. And that remindeth me--hast seen
the serving-man also?"
"Nay," answered the stranger, mildly. "I have seen neither."
"And that is strange, too," said Walter Skinner. "Why, bethink thee,
man! Thou must have seen them. They did leave Lincoln but yester morn.
And if they came not this way, which way did they go? Answer me truly,
for I warn thee, I serve the king."
The stranger reaffirming that he had seen neither the young lord nor
his serving-man, Walter Skinner was obliged to be content. "They be as
slippery as eels," he cried. "And that remindeth me, I did eat eels for
breakfast at the Swan this morn.
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