So he plied them with question after question, some of which they thought it was not to answer, for he was a merry and talkative old man.
"Aha!" he said, "you would prove me before you trust me, and who can blame you in this naughty world?
But perhaps I know more about you all than you think, since in this trade my business is to learn many things.
For instance, I have heard that there was a great trying of witches down at Blossholme lately, whereat a certain Abbot came off worst, also that the famous Carfax jewels had been lost, which vexed the said holy Abbot.
They were jewels indeed, or so I have heard, for among them were two pink pearls worth a king's ransom--or so I have heard.

Great pity that they should be lost, since my Lady there would own them otherwise, and much should I have liked, who am a little man in that trade, to set my old eyes upon them.

Well, well, perhaps I shall, perhaps I shall yet, for that which is lost is sometimes found again.

Now here comes your dinner; eat, eat, we'll talk afterwards." This was the first of many pleasant meals which they shared with their host, Jacob Smith.

Soon Emlyn found from inquiries that she made among his neighbours without seeming to do so, that this cousin of hers bore an excellent name and was trusted by all.
"Then why should we not trust him also ?" asked Cicely, "who must find friends and put faith in some one." "Even with the jewels, Mistress ?" "Even with the jewels, for such things are his business, and they would be safer in his strong chest than tacked into our garments, where the thought of them haunts me night and day." "Let us wait a while," said Emlyn, "for once they were in that box how do we know if we should get them out again ?" On the morrow of this talk the Visitor Legh came to see them, and had no cheerful tale to tell.