his made Jack exert himself to
overtake him. By the time he came up with the chase, he found that he
had been following a stranger. At last, after wandering about in all
directions, he gave up the search as hopeless, and determined to amuse
himself as best he could, and then to try and find his way back to their
quarters in Cambridge.

Jack, not quite entering into Brinsmead's opinions with regard to the
wrongfulness of watching the tricks of the mummers and mountebanks and
other similar performers, had stopped before the booth of a conjurer,
who was by his amusing tricks producing a succession of broad grins on
the countenances of a crowd of rustics standing round him, and
occasional loud shouts of laughter. As the hubbub for a moment ceased,
Jack heard his name pronounced; and turning round, he saw two persons of
a class superior to the generality of the crowd standing close to him.
The eyes of one of them especially were fixed on him. The other he
recognised as the humble college student who had passed him and
Brinsmead on their entrance into Cambridge. A second glance showed him
that the student's companion was no other than his quondam acquaintance
Master Pearson, though no longer habited as a drover, but as a
substantial merchant, with a long coat of fine broadcloth, a
broad-brimmed beaver on the top of his periwig, a long neckcloth, and
high-heeled shoes with huge buckles.

"Ah, you are surprised to see me, Master Deane!" he observed with a
laugh, putting out his hand. "I told you that I was a dealer in woollen
goods, so that it is but fit I should appear in the proper guise of a
decent merchant, instead of in the habit of a common rough-rider, in
which you have before seen me. We have well met, for I have been
hunting for you through the fair; and my reverend friend here told me he
thought he had seen you, and would assist me in the search. I have
brought a despatch for you from a friend; for since we parted I have
ridden to Nottingham and back again, and have a communication of
importance to make to you. It must be in private though, for it will
not do to have eaves-droppers, and we know not who standing round might
hear us. Where is worthy Will Brinsmead?"

Jack in reply told Pearson how he had lost his friend in the crowd, and
begged to be informed of the tenour of the communication.

"I told you that I cannot deliver it out here," answered Pearson; "so
come along with me and my reverend friend,