Page 305 - A Jacobite Exile

he said, to enjoy himself, it was not likely that he would put up at Islington,
but would take up his quarters in the centre of the town. He therefore

decided to walk on, until he came to some junction of important roads; and
there wait, as the man might make either for the city or Westminster,

though the latter appeared the more probable direction.

Here he walked up and down for an hour, and then, entering a tavern, took

his place at the window, where he could see up the street, called for a stoup
of wine, and prepared for a long wait.

It was not, indeed, until three o'clock that he saw Nicholson coming along.
He was more gaily dressed than he had been on the previous day. He had

on a green cloth coat with gold braid round the cuffs, an embroidered
waistcoat, yellow breeches, top boots, and three-cornered hat. He was

riding at foot pace.

Charlie went to the door as soon as he passed, and saw that, as he expected,

he took the road to Westminster. Looking round, he saw Harry riding about
a hundred yards behind. Charlie had no difficulty in keeping up with

Nicholson, and traced him to a house in a quiet street lying behind the
Abbey. A boy came out and held the horse, while its rider dismounted, and
then led it away to the stable of an inn a short distance away. Charlie turned

at once, and joined Harry.

"I need not have taken all the trouble I have, Harry, still there was no
knowing. Evidently the fellow has no fear of being detected, and is going to
pass, for a week, as a gentleman from the country. I suppose he is in the

habit of stopping at that house whenever he comes up with his pockets
lined, and is regarded there as a respectable gentleman by the landlord.

Now you had better take your horse to the stable, where you agreed to hand
it over, and we will meet at our lodgings and plan what to do next."

The discussion did not lead to much. There did not seem, to them, anything
to do until the day when the coach was to be attacked, but they agreed it

would be well to take the advice of their friend the tipstaff. Hitherto, they
had not told him more of their motive for desiring to find Nicholson, than