But I'll tell e'e what we _might_ do----" The young man heard no more.

Taking the direction pointed out, he rode off.

As he passed the Six Bells, he noticed the steeds of the two horsemen at the door; and glancing into the house, perceived the younger of the two in the passage.

The latter no sooner beheld him than he dashed hastily into an adjoining room.

After debating with himself whether he should further seek an interview, which, though, now in his power, was so sedulously shunned by the other party, he decided in the negative; and contenting himself with writing upon a slip of paper the hasty words,--"You are known by the villagers,--be upon your guard,"-- he gave it to the ostler, with instructions to deliver it instantly to the owner of the horse he pointed out, and pursued his course.
Passing the old rectory, and still older church, with its reverend screen of trees, and slowly ascending a hill side, from whence he obtained enchanting peeps of the spire and college of Harrow, he reached the cluster of well-built houses which constitute the village of Neasdon.