ng
down to your relations in the north. Have you pistols?"

"Yes, sir; I have a pair which belonged to the unfortunate Mr
Ratcliffe."

"Then they are good ones, I'll answer for it: no man was more particular
about his weapons, or knew how to use them better. Farewell, Master
Armitage, and may success attend you."

Mr Langton held out his hand to Edward, who respectfully took his
leave.

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO.

Edward was certain that Mr Langton would not have advised him to leave
London if he had not considered that it was dangerous to remain. He
therefore first called upon the Hamburgh merchant, who, upon his
explanation, gave him a letter of credit to a friend who resided in the
city of York; and then returned to the hotel, packed up his saddle-bags,
paid his reckoning, and, mounting his horse, set off on the northern
road. As it was late in the afternoon before he was clear of the
metropolis, he did not proceed farther than Barnet, where he pulled up
at the inn. As soon as he had seen his horse attended to, Edward, with
his saddle-bags on his arm, went into the room in the inn where all the
travellers congregated. Having procured a bed and given his saddle-bags
into the charge of the hostess, he sat down by the fire, which, although
it was warm weather, was nevertheless kept alight.

Edward had made no alteration in the dress which he had worn since he
had been received in the house of Mr Heatherstone. It was plain,
although of good materials. He wore a high-crowned hat, and altogether
would, from his attire, have been taken for one of the Roundhead party.
His sword and shoulder-belt were indeed of more gay appearance than
those usually worn by the Roundheads; but this was the only difference.

When Edward first entered the room there were three persons in it, whose
appearance was not very prepossessing. They were dressed in what had
once been very gay attire, but which now exhibited tarnished lace,
stains of wine, and dust from travelling. They eyed him as he entered
with his saddle-bags, and one of them said--"That's a fine horse you
were riding, sir. Has he much speed?"

"He has," replied Edward, as he turned away, and went into the bar to
speak with the hostess, and give his property into her care.

"Going north, sir?" inquired the same person when Edward returned.

"Not exactly," replied Edward, walking to the window to avoid further
conversation.

"The Roundhead is on the stilts," obse