“But where am I to go?” stammered Stoner, who had caught the infection of the old man’s obvious terror.

“Go right away along the coast to Punchford and keep hid there. When Michael’s safe gone I’ll ride the roan over to the Green Dragon at Punchford; when you see the cob stabled at the Green Dragon ’tis a sign you may come back agen.”

“But⁠—” began Stoner hesitatingly.

“ ’Tis all right for money,” said the other; “the old Missus agrees you’d best do as I say, and she’s given me this.”

The old man produced three sovereigns and some odd silver.