Doubtless he will be stirring soon, as he said that he must be up early." Godwin nodded, and they sat together on the bench beside the fire, for the weather was bitter, and dozed till the dawn began to break.

Then Wulf rose and shook himself, saying: "He will not think it uncourteous if we rouse him now," and walking to the far end of the hall, he drew a curtain and called out, "Awake, holy Nicholas! awake! It is time for you to say your prayers, and breakfast will soon be cooking." But no Nicholas answered.
"Of a truth," grumbled Wulf, as he came back for his lantern, "that palmer sleeps as though Saladin had already cut his throat." Then having lit it, he returned to the guest place.
"Godwin," he called presently, "come here.

The man has gone!" "Gone ?" said Godwin as he ran to the curtain.

"Gone where ?" "Back to his friend Saladin, I think," answered Wulf.

"Look, that is how he went." And he pointed to the shutter of the sleeping-place, that stood wide open, and to an oaken stool beneath, by means of which the sainted Nicholas had climbed up to and through the narrow window slit.
"He must be without, grooming the mule which he would never have left," said Godwin.
"Honest guests do not part from their hosts thus," answered Wulf; "but let us go and see." So they ran to the stable and found it locked and the mule safe enough within.