The looks of the landlord's friend are not over honest, and it may be as well to be cautious with him.' 'John Grueby is quite right,' interposed Mr Gashford, falling back hastily.

'My lord, a life so precious as yours must not be put in peril.
Go forward, John, by all means.

If you have any reason to suspect the fellow, blow his brains out.' John made no answer, but looking straight before him, as his custom seemed to be when the secretary spoke, bade Hugh push on, and followed close behind him.

Then came his lordship, with Mr Willet at his bridle rein; and, last of all, his lordship's secretary--for that, it seemed, was Gashford's office.
Hugh strode briskly on, often looking back at the servant, whose horse was close upon his heels, and glancing with a leer at his bolster case of pistols, by which he seemed to set great store.

He was a square-built, strong-made, bull-necked fellow, of the true English breed; and as Hugh measured him with his eye, he measured Hugh, regarding him meanwhile with a look of bluff disdain.