He might at any time, when alone, withdraw the bolt from the door, and slip out unobserved.
Such was the fruit of his meditations while his host plied the fire.
"You will sleep sound to-night," said his entertainer, smiling.
"Humph! Why, I am _over_-fatigued; I dare say it will be an hour or two before I fall asleep; but when I once am asleep, I sleep like a rock!" "Come, Alice," said her father, "let us leave the gentleman.

Goodnight, sir." "Good night--good night," returned the traveller, yawning.
The father and daughter disappeared through a door in the corner of the room.

The guest heard them ascend the creaking stairs--all was still.
"Fool that I am," said the traveller to himself, "will nothing teach me that I am no longer a student at Gottingen, or cure me of these pedestrian adventures?
Had it not been for that girl's big blue eyes, I should be safe at ------ by this time, if, indeed, the grim father had not murdered me by the road.

However, we'll baulk him yet: another half-hour, and I am on the moor: we must give him time.

And in the meanwhile here is the poker.