A short distance down the street, he observed two of the earl's retainers.

They were standing, apparently looking at the goods in a mercer's window.

After a time, they moved on a short distance, passed the inn, and stopped again to look in another shop, twenty or thirty yards away.
Then Oswald left the door.

The landlord was standing in the passage, and beckoned to him to enter his private room.
"Young sir," he said, "I know not whether you have done anything that has displeased the earl, nor is it any business of mine; but you are a fair-spoken young gentlemen, and I would not that any ill came to you.
I like not to meddle in the earl's affairs, for he would think nothing of ordering my house to be burnt over my head.

However, I may warn you that he is making inquiries about you.