One of the
frequent fires, for which the London of that day was noted, had broken
out.
"A fire, sayest thou?" cried Humphrey.
"Yea," answered a groom, bursting into the bar. "A fire, master! a
fire!"
Away ran the groom followed by the master. And Hugo coming down at this
moment, Humphrey hurried to him. "Make haste, lad!" he cried. "Come
with me to the stables. We must e'en serve ourselves and get out the
horses and be off, ere the fire abate and the innkeeper and the grooms
come back."
Hugo wondered, but said nothing, for he saw that Humphrey was greatly
excited. And with despatch the horses were saddled and led out. "I
would not that people lose their homes unless they must," said
Humphrey, when they were safely away; "but the fire hath saved us, and
I warrant thee we pay not one hundred and fifty gold pieces for the
saving neither."
"Didst pay so much?" asked Hugo.
"Yea, lad," answered Humphrey. "It seemeth the 'friend to his counsel'
did set the price he was to ask, and nothing less would content him. He
did even hint at more."
"And how much remaineth?" asked Hugo.
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