'The night turns chill,' he said, and got up to go back to the cave.

So then I thought my time was come, and following him inside said: 'Dear Master Elzevir, you have watched over me all this while and tended me kinder than any father could his son; and 'tis to you I owe my life, and that my leg is strong again.

Yet I am restless this night, and beg that you will give me leave to climb the shaft and walk abroad.

It is two months and more that I have been in the cave and seen nothing but stone walls, and I would gladly tread once more upon the Down.' 'Say not that I have saved thy life,' Elzevir broke in; ''twas I who brought thy life in danger; and but for me thou mightst even now be lying snug abed at Moonfleet, instead of hiding in the chambers of these rocks.

So speak not of that, but if thou hast a mind to air thyself an hour, I see little harm in it.