a ship, we
determined on making the journey, together with our two clerks, for
whom we will take passage at the same rate as for ourselves, seeing
that they are both related to us."

"Have you any goods with you?"

"We shall take over but a bale or two of cloth, as samples of the
goods we can supply; but, beyond that, we have but little luggage,
seeing that our stay may be a very short one."

There was a little haggling for terms, as the two gentlemen did not
wish to appear eager to go; but the matter was finally settled to
the satisfaction of both parties.

On their return to the inn, Mr. Jervoise took the host aside.

"We have business connected with our trade in cloth in Sweden,
where we hope to obtain a large contract. The matter may occupy us
a week, or a month or two for aught we know, and we do not want our
horses to be eating their heads off, here, while we are away.
Besides, we may be able, on our return, to take a passage to one of
the Devonshire ports, which would suit us much better. But we
should not be able to do so, if there were need for returning here
for our horses. Therefore, we would fain dispose of them, and, if
you can find us a purchaser by tomorrow night, we will pay you a
fair commission on the money we receive."

"I doubt not that I can do that readily enough," the landlord said.
"Three of them are fine animals, fit for any gentleman's riding.
The other is a stout hackney. Trust me, I will get the best price I
can for them."

The next day he came up to their room.

"I have had a good offer for the horses," he said. "Two gentlemen,
who arrived yesterday from France, and are staying at the inn of a
friend of mine, are requiring horses for themselves and their
servants, and I have promised my friend a slice of my commission,
if he will bring them round hither. Will you name your price for
them?"

"No, I would rather not," Mr. Jervoise said cautiously. "If we
asked too high a figure, we might frighten the purchasers away. If
we should ask too little, we should be the losers. I daresay they
have named, to your friend, the price they are willing to give. You
had better ask from them a good bit above that, then you can come
down little by little, and maybe, seeing the horses are really good
ones, they may advance a bit. I am not used to a horse deal, and
will leave it to you to make the bargain. We are sorry to part with
the animals, but they might die on the voyage, or get so injured as