But I pushed on as quickly as I could." "Did the ostler at Waltham Cross tell you what answer was given to the inquiries ?" "No, sir--he heard your name only from the parlour window as he went through the yard." Now here was I in a quandary.

On the one hand this was a very small affair, and not much evidence either way, and I did not wish to alarm my Cousin Tom if I need not; and, on the other if they were after me I had best be gone as soon as I could.

It was six months since the fellow Dangerfield had asked after me at Whitehall, and no harm had followed.
Yet here was the tale of the branded hand--and, although there were many branded hands in England, the consonance of this with what had happened, misliked me a little.
"And was there any more news ?" I asked.
"Why, yes, sir; I had forgot.

The man told me too that the five Jesuits were cast six days ago, and Mr.Langhorn a day later, and that they were all sentenced together." (Mr.Langhorn was a lawyer, a very hot and devout Catholic; but his wife was as hot a Protestant.) Now on hearing that I was a little more perturbed.

Here were Mr.
Whitbread and Mr.Fenwick, in whose company I had often been seen in public before the late troubles, condemned and awaiting sentence; and here was a fellow with a branded hand asking after me in Waltham Cross.
Oates and Bedloe and Tonge and Kirby and a score of others were evidence that any man who sought his fortune might very well do so in Popish plots and accusations; and it was quite believable that Dangerfield was one more of them, and that after these new events he was after me.