第10章 THE HUT IN THE MARSHES(4)

"A clever hiding place," Walter thought to himself."No wonder the posse search these swamps in vain.This is the lowest and wettest part of the swamp, and would be but lightly searched, for none would suspect that there was a human habitation among these brown ditches and stagnant pools."To his disappointment the lad could hear nothing of the conversation which was going on within the hut.The murmur of voices came to his ear, but no words were audible; however, he remained patiently, thinking that perhaps as they came out a word might be said which would give him a clue to the object of the mysterious interview between a knight and one who was evidently a fugitive from justice.

His patience was rewarded.In the half hour which he waited the night had fallen, and a thick fog which was rising over the swamps rendered it difficult to discern anything at the distance of a few paces.

"You are quite sure that you can manage it?" a voice said as the two men issued from the hut.

"There is no difficulty in managing it," the other replied, "if the boat is punctual to the hour named.It will be getting dusk then, and if one boat runs into another no one need be surprised.Such accidents will happen.""They will be here just before nightfall," the other said, "and you will know the boat by the white mantle the lady will wear.The reward will be fifty pieces of gold, of which you have received ten as earnest.You can trust me, and if the job be well done I shall take no count of the earnest money.

"You may consider it as good as done," the other replied."If the boat is there the matter is settled.Now I will lead you back across the swamps.Iwould not give much for your life if you tried to find the way alone.Who would have thought when you got me off from being hung, after that little affair at Bruges, that I should be able to make myself useful to your worship?""You may be sure," the knight replied, "that it was just because I foresaw that you might be useful that I opened the doors of your cell that night.

It is always handy in times like these to be able to lay one's hand on a man whom you can hang if you choose to open your mouth.""Did it not strike you, sir knight, that it might enter my mind that it would be very advisable for me to free myself from one who stands towards me in that relation?""Certainly it did," the knight replied; "but as I happen to be able to make it for your interest to serve me, that matter did not trouble me.I knew better than to bring money into this swamp of yours, when I might be attacked by half a dozen ruffians like yourself; and I took the precaution of informing Peter, the captain of my men-at-arms, of the spot to which Iwas going, bidding him, in case I came not back, to set a hue and cry on foot and hunt down all who might be found here, with the especial description of your worthy self."Walter could hear no more; he had taken off his shoes and followed them at a distance, and their voices still acted as a guide to him through the swamp.But he feared to keep too close, as, although the darkness would conceal his figure, he might at any moment tread in a pool or ditch, and so betray his presence.Putting his foot each time to the ground with the greatest caution, he moved quietly after them.They spoke little more, but their heavy footsteps on the swampy ground were a sufficient guidance for him.At last these ceased suddenly.A few words were spoken, and then he heard returning steps.He drew aside a few feet and crouched down, saw a dim figure pass through the mist, and then resumed his way.The ground was firmer now, and, replacing his shoes, he walked briskly on.As he neared the higher ground along which the road ran he heard two horsemen galloping away in the distance.He now turned his face east, and after an hour's walking he reached the armourer's.