THE NORTH COACH 323

pick your brains undisturbed. You will remember the day
and hour. Should there be any change in this private mat-
ter of yours, do not hesitate to come to me here.”

Tony Peters, their guide and adviser, reported favourably
as to the people with whom the highwayman was lodging.

“The house is kept by the widow of an usher at the
palace. She entertains gentlemen from the country who
come up on business at the courts of justice, or with people
of influence at court. I have ascertained that our man
passes as a well-to-do trader of Salisbury, who comes up
two or three times a year to transact business, and to enjoy
for a short time the pleasures of town. He is liberal in
his payments, and is held in high respect by the woman,
whose only objection to him as a lodger is the late hours he
keeps. He is a crafty fellow this, for by always going to
the same house, and comporting himself with moderation,
he secures a place of retirement, where, however close the
quest after him, there will be no suspicion whatever as to
his profession on the part of the people he is with.

“My man found out all these matters from the servant
wench. We shall have no difficulty in taking him quietly.
The woman will be so terrified when I tell her what he is
wanted for, that she will do anything rather than have a
scandal that would damage the reputation of the house.”

He assured Charlie that he need give the matter no
further thought. All the arrangements would be made, and
unless he heard farther from him he and Harry would only
have to present themselves at the door of the house in ques-
tion at two o’clock on the morning of Saturday.

The evening with the duke passed off pleasantly. The
general’s questions turned not so much upon the actual
fighting as upon the organization of the Swedes, their
methods of campaigning, of victualling the army, of hut-
ting themselves in winter, the maintenance of discipline in
camp, and other military points that would be of service to
him in his next campaign,