Now, stranger,
thou mayest guess it was no fault of mine if from this hour I passed the
granary after sunset. The ghost and I have ever kept ourselves pretty
far apart."
"Canst show me this same ghostly dungeon?"
"Ay, can I, in broad daylight; but"--.
"Peradventure thou canst show me the path, or the clue to it; and I
warrant me the right scent will lie at the end on't."
"And pray, good master, wherefore may your curious nose be so mightily
set upon this same adventure?" said the clerk, his little red and
ferrety eyes peering very provokingly into those of his opposite
neighbour. Now, De Poininges was not for the moment prepared to satisfy
this unexpected inquiry, but his presence of mind did not forsake him.
Rightly guessing his friend's character--a compound in universal esteem,
to wit, fool and knave--he drew from his pouch a couple of bright ship
nobles, then but newly coined, which effectually diverted the prying
looks of Thomas le Clerke.
"Why, look ye," said the latter, as the coin jingled in his bag, "I was
ever held in good repute as a guide, and can make my way blindfold over
the bogs and mosses hereabout; and I would pilot thee to the place
yonder, if my fealty to the prior--that is--if--I mean--though I was
never a groat the richer for his bounty; yet he may not like strangers
to pry into his garners and store-houses, especially in these evil
times, when every cur begins to yelp at the heels of our bountiful
mother; and every beast to bray out its reproaches at her great wealth
and possessions.
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