p Inn," at Filey, had turned out his
visitors, barred his door, and was counting his money by the fireside,
with his wife grumbling at him for such late hours as half past ten of
the clock in the bar, that night when the poor bilander ended her long
career as aforesaid. Then a thundering knock at the door just fastened
made him upset a little pyramid of pence, and catch up the iron
candlestick.

"None of your roistering here!" cried the lady. "John, you know better
than to let them in, I hope."

"Copper coomth by daa, goold coomth t'naight-time," the sturdy publican
answered, though resolved to learn who it was before unbarring.

"In the name of the King, undo this door," a deep stern voice resounded,
"or by royal command we make splinters of it."

"It is that horrible Carroway again," whispered Mrs. Gristhorp. "Much
gold comes of him, I doubt. Let him in if you dare, John."

"'Keep ma oot, if ye de-arr,' saith he. Ah'll awand here's the tail o'
it."

While Gristhorp, in wholesome fealty to his wife, was doubting, the door
flew open, and in marched Carroway and all his men, or at least all save
one of his present following. He had ordered his pinnace to meet him
here, himself having ridden from Scarborough, and the pinnace had
brought the jolly-boat in tow, according to his directions. The men had
landed with the jolly-boat, which was handier for beach work, leaving
one of their number to mind the larger craft while they should refresh
themselves. They were nine in all, and Carroway himself the tenth, all
sturdy fellows, and for the main of it tolerably honest; Cadman, Ellis,
and Dick Hackerbody, and one more man from Bridlington, the rest a
re-enforcement from Spurn Head, called up for occasion.

"Landlord, produce your best, and quickly," the officer said, as he
threw himself into the arm-chair of state, being thoroughly tired. "In
one hour's time we must be off. Therefore, John, bring nothing tough,
for our stomachs are better than our teeth. A shilling per head is his
Majesty's price, and half a crown for officers. Now a gallon of ale, to
begin with."

Gristhorp, being a prudent man, brought the very toughest parts of
his larder forth, with his wife giving nudge to his elbow. All, and
especially Carroway, too hungry for nice criticism, fell to, by the
light of three tallow candles, and were just getting into the heart of
it, when the rattle of horseshoes on the pitch-stones shook the long
low window, and a