They made very poor progress, and by dinner-time were not yet
in sight of Watford. But they pushed on, coming at last about one
o'clock to that little town, all gathered together in the trench of the
low hills. There was a modest inn in the main street, with a little
garden behind it; and while Mr. Arnold took the horses off for watering,
Robin went through to the garden, sat down, and ordered food to be
served for himself and his man together. The day was warmer, and the sun
came out as they sat over their meal. When they had done, Robin sent his
friend off again for the horses. They must not delay longer than was
necessary, if they wished to sleep at Leighton, and give the horses
their proper rest.
* * * * *
When he was left alone, he fell a-thinking once more; and, what with the
morning's ride and the air and the sunshine, and the sense of liberty,
he was inclined to be more cheerful. Surely England was large enough to
hide the rest of the plotters for a time, until they could get out of
it. Anthony was taken, indeed, yet, without the rest, he might very well
escape conviction. Robin had not been challenged in any way; the
gatekeepers had looked at him, indeed, as he came out of the City; but
so they always did, and the landlady here had run her eyes over him; but
that was the way of landladies who wished to know how much should be
charged to travellers. And if he had come out so easily, why should not
his friends? All turned now, to his mind, on whether the rest of the
conspirators could evade the pursuivants or not.
Pages:
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310