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If any one accosts you on the road, put no trust in any professions. You of course are going down to your relations in the north. Have you pistols?"
"Yes, Sir; I have a pair which did belong 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 XXII.
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 further 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
