But it was from Roger Allardyce I learned things so surprising that I wonder I did not betray myself.  About a week after I came to the Hall (so the house was called) I was returning early one morning from bathing in a stream that crossed the estate, when I met the boy face to face.  He was striding along, whistling, with his towel over his shoulder, and gave me a look aslant as he passed, then halted and called after me:  “I say, Joe!”

I turned at once, and knew that he bore me no malice for the blow I had dealt him at our first meeting.

“I say,” he repeated, “how did you manage to keep your crown piece when those poacher fellows bagged your money?”

I could not forbear smiling at this blunt manner of holding out the olive branch.  I told him of my fight with the man called Topper.

“Wish I had seen it,” he said, laughing heartily.  “And I wish it had happened a day or two before, for if you had been settled here then you could have plied your fists to some better purpose.”

I asked him to explain.

“Why, a lubber of a fellow rode over from Shrewsbury; he’s a cousin of mine, more’s the pity, and a king’s officer, by George!  There were two other officers with him, and they had been drinking, and they insisted on coming in, and stayed ever so long playing the fool.  Father was in Bridgenorth, and Giles with him, and the other men were not at hand, and we had to put up with their tomfoolery, which soon drove mother and Lucy from the room:  but if you had been there we could have contrived to fling them out between us.”

“I would have done my best,” I said.

“How is the water?” he asked.

“Fresh, with a wholesome sting,” I replied, and then, giving me a friendly nod, he went on to his bath.

Here was strange news, I thought, as I returned to the house.  I could have no doubt that the obnoxious visitors were Dick Cludde and his friends:  for it was hardly possible that three other king’s officers should have ridden out of Shrewsbury in this direction on the same day.  If Cludde had come once he might come again, and should he catch sight of me my story would not only be known to my employer, but would be spread all over Shrewsbury—­a thing I could not contemplate with satisfaction.  It crossed my mind that ’twould be safer to leave Mr. Allardyce and seek employment with some other yeoman; but from this course two reasons deterred me:  first, the liking I had taken for him and his family; second, an obstinate reluctance to allow Dick Cludde in any way to alter my plans.  It would not be difficult, I reflected, for one in my humble position to avoid him should he come to the house, and if I needs must meet him, I should even welcome the occasion for bundling him out neck and crop if he proved a troublesome visitor.