"
"Oh, yes," answered Mr. Larkspur, "I know Stephen, the footman."
Mr. Larkspur and the damsel conversed a good deal after this; but
nothing of particular interest transpired in this conversation. The
gentleman departed from the "Cat and Fiddle" very well satisfied with
his evening's work, and returned to the castle in time to take a
comfortable cup of tea in the housekeeper's room.
He was quite satisfied in his own mind as to the identity of the
delinquent who had stolen the child.
The next thing to be discovered was the manner in which the landlord of
the "Cat and Fiddle" had left Raynham. It must have been almost
impossible for him to leave in any public vehicle, carrying the stolen
child with him, as he must have done, without attracting the attention
of his fellow-passengers. Andrew Larkspur had taken care to ascertain
all possible details of the man's habits from the communicative
barmaid, and knew that he had no vehicle or horse of his own. He must,
therefore, have either gone in a public vehicle, or on foot.
If he had left the village on foot, under cover of darkness, he might
have left unseen; but he must have entered some other village at
daybreak; he must sooner or later have procured some kind of
conveyance; and wherever he went, carrying with him that stolen child,
it was more than probable his appearance would attract attention.
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