He looked round the room.
"I have a message, from the earl, for the person who was with him, this afternoon." Oswald at once rose, and went across to him.
"The earl bade me tell you," the soldier said, in a low voice, "that his present furnisher is Robert Micklethwaite, and that his place of business is near the castle gate, at Edinburgh." "Please thank the earl for the information," Oswald replied, and then returned to his seat.
He had indeed, while dressing, been wondering what name he should give.
It was like enough that, in Dunbar, many might know the names of the principal traders in Edinburgh; and that, were he to give an unknown one, he might be questioned as to his place of business.

The message, therefore, relieved him of this difficulty.
After he had finished his supper, which was an excellent one, he beckoned to the landlord.
"I am a stranger here, landlord," he said.

"I pray you to drink a cup with me, and tell me the news of the place.
"You may know the name of Micklethwaite," he went on, as the landlord sat down, "and that he comes, or sends regularly, to arrange for the supply of cloth, its quality and price, required for the earl's retainers." "Master Micklethwaite always puts up here, when he visits Dunbar," the landlord said.

"I must have misunderstood him, for one day, when he was talking with me, he said that it was a trouble to him that he had no sons." "Nor has he," Oswald said; "luckily for me, who am but a nephew." "He is a good customer," the landlord went on, "and good company, too; but he cares not for French wines, and does not trouble my cellarer, much." "He is a careful man," Oswald said, with a smile; "and though he is a good trencherman, he does not waste his money on such matters.

However, he lets me have a freer hand than he uses himself; and asks not, when I return, for a close account of my outgoings.
"What do they say, here, as to the chances of another war with England ?" "I fear the worst," the landlord replied.