ening."

"I don't know, Master Oswald. I was down at the port, yesterday, and
the tide was high at three o'clock; and methinks that a boat would put
out an hour or two before low tide, so as to take the water with it as
far as New Berwick, and there catch the flood flowing into the Firth.
In that case, the boat would put out at six, or maybe seven o'clock."

"I would that it had been two hours later, Roger. After dark, it were
easy enough to silence a man without attracting much attention; but in
broad daylight, it would not be so easily done."

"Not if we went straight from the inn to the port, Master, but there is
no need for you to take that route."

"You are right, Roger. Indeed, it would be better not to do so, for
were they to have an idea that we had escaped by water, the earl might
send a fast boat after us. Therefore, when I come out I will turn off
and go, by unfrequented streets and lanes, in the opposite direction.
In that way you will be better able to see if I am followed, and may
find some quiet place, where you can give a man a clout on the head
that will rid us of him."

"Will you come out, Master Oswald, in your present attire, or in your
disguise?"

"I will wear this cloak and headgear, and will put these leggings over
the others, so that I shall have but to take them off and fling them
aside, and to throw off my cloak and cap and put on this bonnet, all of
which will not take a minute and can be done in a doorway or passage
without attracting observation. I should be afraid to go out, in the
drover's attire. The servants at the inn know me, now; and moreover, a
man of such condition would not think of going to the Falcon. Were I to
be noticed, coming out, it might be thought that I had entered it for
some evil purpose."

"I shall be on hand, master. I had thought of not returning to the
monastery, but I must do so, for I have left my staff there, and it
will be as suitable for a drover as a monk. I shall go to the harbour,
as soon as I have seen you; and if it is this evening a boat sails, I
shall go back at once and bid them farewell, saying that a ship is
sailing for Leith, and that I have taken passage in her."

Oswald returned to the inn and, half an hour later, went down to the
doorway, where he stood as if idly watching the flow of traffic. A
quarter of an hour later, he saw Roger approaching. He looked the
character that he had assumed, to the life. He had dirtied his hands
and face,