There was no light in the apartment, save that which filtered in through the dirty window, and it was plain that the meeting, whatever its nature, was breaking up.  Several men were standing about in their cloaks and hats, the latter slouched down upon their brows, so that their faces could not be distinguished in the gloom.  Two or three passed Cuthbert hastily as he entered, before he had time even to see if one of them was the companion of his journey; but though he found some trouble in distinguishing features, his own were visible enough as he stood facing the window, and out of the shadows stepped a tall man, who greeted him with extended hand.

“Good e’en to you, Cuthbert Trevlyn, and a fair welcome to London town!  I trust you have not been in dangers and difficulties, and that you but now come to claim your own again?  How fared it with you on the heath that night?  Were you in any wise maltreated or rough handled by the gentlemen of the road?”

“Nay; I was rather treated to a good supper and a night’s lodging, and not so much as deprived of my steed.  I trow had he shown something more of mettle I might not have so preserved him; but one or two of them who mounted him pronounced him of no use even as a pack horse.”

Catesby laughed pleasantly, and putting his hand into his doublet drew forth the purse intrusted to him, and placed it in Cuthbert’s hands.

“They would not have been so obliging, I fear, had you chanced to have this upon your person.  Take it, boy, and look within and see that all is safe.  I have not parted with it since the night of our journey.  I trow you will find your treasure as it left your hand.”

“I am sure of it,” answered Cuthbert gratefully; “and I return you many thanks for your goodwill and sound counsel in the matter.  But for your good offices I should have lost all.  I trust you yourself escaped without misadventure?”

Cuthbert was now anxious to be gone.  His errand was accomplished.  The atmosphere of this place was offensive to him, and he was uneasy without well knowing why.  His companion seemed to divine this; and the room being now cleared of all other guests, he put his hat on his head and said, “We will go out into the fresh air.  The Cat and Fiddle is better as a resort by day than by night.  I would fain know something of your whereabouts and fortunes, boy.  I have taken a liking for you, and the name of Trevlyn sounds pleasantly in mine ears.”

The old sense of fascination began to fall upon Cuthbert, as Catesby, taking him familiarly by the arm, led him out into the street, and walked along with him in the direction of his home, drawing him out by questions, and throwing in bits of anecdote, jest, and apt remark, that made his conversation a pleasure and an education.  Cuthbert forgot his anxieties and vague suspicions in his enjoyment of the conversation of an accomplished man of the world; and there was a subtle flattery in the sense that this man, scholar and gentleman as he was, had condescended to a liking for and an interest in his insignificant self, and was of his own accord inviting confidence and friendship.