"Yes, sir; but they are hard to wake, for they have ridden from
Worcester; but I will rouse them."

"Nay, I cannot wait," replied the officer. "I know none of Lambert's
troops, and they have no information to give."

"Could you not take them with you, sir, and leave two of your men
instead of them; for they are troublesome people to a poor man, and
devour everything?" said Humphrey submissively.

"No, no," replied the officer, laughing, "we all know Lambert's people--
a friend or enemy is much the same to them. I have no power over them,
and you must make the best of it.--Forward! Men," continued the
officer, saluting Edward as he passed on: and in a minute or two they
were far in the distance.

"That's well over," observed Edward. "Chaloner and Grenville are too
young-looking and too good-looking for Lambert's villains; and a sight
of them might have occasioned suspicion. We must, however, expect more
visits. Keep a good look-out, Pablo."

Edward and Humphrey then went in and joined the party inside the
cottage, who were in a state of no little suspense during the colloquy
outside.

"Why, Alice, dearest, you look quite pale," said Edward, as he came in.

"I feared for our guests, Edward. I'm sure that if they had come into
the cottage, Master Chaloner and Master Grenville would never have been
believed to be troopers."

"We thank you for the compliment, Mistress Alice," said Chaloner; "but I
think, if necessary, I could ruffle and swear with the best, or rather
the worst of them. We passed for troopers very well on the road here."

"Yes, but you did not meet any other troopers."

"That's very true, and shows your penetration. I acknowledge that with
troopers there would have been more difficulty; but still, among so many
thousands there must be many varieties, and it would be an awkward thing
for an officer of one troop to arrest upon suspicion the men belonging
to another. I think, when we are visited again, I shall sham
intoxication--that will not be very suspicious."

"No, not on either side," replied Edward. "Come, Alice, we will eat
what dinner you may have ready for us."

For three or four days the Parliamentary forces continued to scour the
forest, and another visit or two was paid to the cottage, but without
suspicion being created, in consequence of the presence of Edward, and
his explanations. The parties were invariably sent in another
direction. Edward wrote to the Intendant, info