It was well I had been described in the letter as a `queer dog,' for it is an easy part to act, even to save one's own life.

Besides, this would account sufficiently well for my unbusinesslike attire.
"My great fear was lest the real person referred to in the letter should arrive on the scene before I had quitted it.

I therefore ordered an immediate departure.
"`We've lost an hour already with your dilatoriness,' I growled; `don't let us lose any more.

As it is, it is a chance if we reach Culverton before morning.

Come, lead out my horse, and bring what food you have with you, for I'm starving.' "Before five minutes had passed we were safe out of the cottage and in the high-road--I, mounted on my faithful and partly refreshed horse, eating ravenously of the scraps of bread and meat my companions had left, while they trudged along in the snow one on either side.
"In this manner we progressed for an hour or so in silence, until about one o'clock there appeared on the side of a distant hill a twinkling light.