"
"Why? You are not a rebel."
"True; yet I count for something in my own neighbourhood and might
stretch out a protecting arm."
"You were caught like a rat in a hole, and would have been powerless;
whereas now you are free to fight your enemies, thanks to your strange
visitor."
"You speak of him as if you doubted his existence," said Crosby with
some irritation.
"Doubt! I do assure you I am one of those strange fellows who see and
hear things which most folk affirm have no existence. I find doubting a
difficult matter. With ill-luck I might get burnt for a wizard. I
promise you there is more understanding in me than you would give me
credit for, and certainly I should not call such a flight as yours
cowardly."
"I shall be able to judge the better perhaps when I have heard your part
of the tale," said Crosby.
"That is by no means certain, for my part is as vague as yours," Fairley
answered. "You were in danger, that I knew, but the exact form of it I
was ignorant of. I was instructed to find you and bring you to a place
of safety, and was told that I should meet with you at 'The Jolly
Farmers.'"
"By this same man, I suppose?"
"No.
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