“Very true, my worthy friend—­very true,” assented Potts.

An immediate return to Whalley was now proposed by Nowell; but Master Potts was of opinion that, as they were in the neighbourhood of Malkin Tower, they should proceed thither at once, and effect the arrest of Mother Demdike, after which Mother Chattox could be sought out and secured.  The presence of these two witches would be most important, he declared, in the examination of Mistress Nutter.  Hue and cry for the fugitive, James Device, ought also to be made throughout the forest.

Confounded by what they heard, Richard and Nicholas had hitherto taken no part in the proceedings, but they now seconded Master Potts’s proposition, hoping that the time occupied by the visit to Malkin Tower would prove serviceable to Mistress Nutter; for they did not doubt that intelligence would be conveyed to her by some of her agents, of Nowell’s intention to arrest her.

Additional encouragement was given to the plan by the arrival of Richard Baldwyn, who, at this juncture, rode furiously up to the party.

“Weel, han yo settled your business here, Mester Nowell?” he asked, in breathless anxiety.

“We have so far settled it, that we have established proofs of witchcraft against Mistress Nutter,” replied Nowell.  “Can you speak to her character, Baldwyn?”

“Yeigh, that ey con,” rejoined the miller, “an nowt good.  Ey wish to see aw these mischeevous witches burnt; an that’s why ey ha’ ridden efter yo, Mester Nowell.  Ey want your help os a magistrate agen Mother Demdike.  Yo ha a constable wi’ ye, and so can arrest her at wonst.”

“You have come most opportunely, Baldwyn,” observed Potts.  “We were just considering whether we should go to Malkin Tower.”

“Then decide upon ‘t,” rejoined the miller, “or th’ owd hag win escape ye.  Tak her unaweares.”

“I don’t know that we shall take her unawares, Baldwyn,” said Potts; “but I am decidedly of opinion that we should go thither without delay.  Is Malkin Tower far off?”

“About a mile fro’ Rough Lee,” replied the miller.  “Go back wi’ me to t’ mill, where yo con refresh yourselves, an ey’n get together some dozen o’ my friends, an then we’n aw go up to t’ Tower together.”

“A very good suggestion,” said Potts; “and no doubt Master Nowell will accede to it.”

“We have force enough already, it appears to me,” observed Nowell.

“I should think so,” replied Richard.  “Some dozen men, armed, against a poor defenceless old woman, are surely enough.”

“Owd, boh neaw defenceless, Mester Ruchot,” rejoined Baldwyn.  “Yo canna go i’ too great force on an expedition like this.  Malkin Tower is a varry strong place, os yo’n find.”

“Well,” said Nowell, “since we are here, I agree with Master Potts, that it would be better to secure these two offenders, and convey them to Whalley, where their examination can be taken at the same time with that of Mistress Nutter.  We therefore accept your offer of refreshment, Baldwyn, as some of our party may stand in need of it, and will at once proceed to the mill.”