'What do you stare at?
This tavern would seem to be a house of call for all the gaping idlers of the neighbourhood!' At this remark, which evidently had reference to the scrutiny he had undergone, as mentioned in the foregoing chapter, the eyes of John Willet and his friends were diverted with marvellous rapidity to the copper boiler again.

Not so with Joe, who, being a mettlesome fellow, returned the stranger's angry glance with a steady look, and rejoined: 'It is not a very bold thing to wonder at your going on to-night.

Surely you have been asked such a harmless question in an inn before, and in better weather than this.

I thought you mightn't know the way, as you seem strange to this part.' 'The way--' repeated the other, irritably.
'Yes.

DO you know it ?' 'I'll--humph!--I'll find it,' replied the man, waving his hand and turning on his heel.