But he resolved not to let a second Sunday pass without a visit; and upon the Saturday he returned thither, dressed in his sober riding suit, and striving to meet the welcome of his host with an air of unconcerned and natural gaiety.
"Good Tom, you are welcome indeed!" exclaimed the perruquier eagerly, taking him by the hand and drawing him within.

"I have been suffering no small anxiety upon your account, my lad.

I trust and hope without any cause." Tom forced a smile, and hoped it was a natural one, as he asked gaily: "And wherefore this fear for me, good mine host ?" "There have been ugly whispers in the air ever since the robbery of the gold on its way to Holland.

Men will talk and wonder, and it was known to all that Lord Claud had driven forth the day previous northward from London, and that you were his companion.

Men's tongues have wagged for less than that, Tom, and for less weighty matters." The little man was scanning his guest's face somewhat earnestly.
Tom felt a most unwelcome qualm of shame and pain, such as he had only experienced before when thinking of his mother and sister.
"Why, Master Cale, Lord Claud was but visiting his friends at St.
Albans, far enough away from where they say the robbery took place.
He will have no trouble in proving that he was never two miles from St.Albans upon that night; and I was with him the whole time, sharing his room and his company." "Well, well, well," answered Cale, with a look of some relief, "I would never willingly believe harm of any man.