ferings and
privations which I had undergone. It was not the old Humphrey Salkeld
that rode down Beechcot village street. Nay, it was not even the old
Humphrey Salkeld in looks. Stopping a few hours at the inn in York I had
examined myself in a mirror, and had decided that it would be hard work
for my old friends to recognize me. I had grown an inch or two, my face
was seamed and wrinkled, and wore a strange, grim, wearied look, my
beard was a good three inches long, and my mouth covered by a moustache.
Changed I was indeed.

I rode up to the door of the inn at Beechcot, where I had first seen
Pharaoh Nanjulian, and called loudly for the host. There was no one
about the door of the inn, but presently Geoffrey Scales, looking no
different to what he did when I had last seen him, came bustling along
the sanded passage with his lantern, and turned the light full on my
face. I trembled, and could scarce control my voice as I spoke to him;
but I soon saw that he did not recognize me.

"How far is it to Scarborough, master?" I inquired.

"A good twenty miles, sir, and a bad road."

"What, are there thieves on it?"

"There are highwaymen, sir, and ruts, which is worse; and as for
mud--there, your honor would be lost in it."

"Then I had better stay here for the night, eh?"

"Much better, if your honor pleases."

So I dismounted and bade him take my cob round to his stable, and
followed him myself to hear more news.

"What place is this?" I inquired.

"Beechcot, sir--a village of the Wolds."

"And who owns it, landlord?"

"Sir Thurstan Salkeld, sir."

"Is he alive and well, landlord?"

Now, whether it was my voice or the unwonted agitation in it that
attracted his attention, I know not, but certain it is that when I asked
this question Geoffrey Scales held up his light to my face, and after
anxiously peering therein for a moment, cried out loudly:

"Marry, I knew it! 'Tis Master Humphrey, come home again, alive and
well!" and therewith he would have rushed away to rouse the whole
village if I had not stayed him.

"Hush! Geoffrey," I said. "It is I, true enough, and I am well enough,
but prithee keep quiet awhile, for I do not wish anyone to know that I
have returned for a season. Tell me first how is my uncle and Mistress
Rose. Are they well, Geoffrey? Quick!"

"Oh, Master Humphrey," quoth he, "what a turn you have given me! Yes,
sir, yes; your uncle, good man, is well, though he hath never been the
same