Had his horse been able to carry him farther, he would have ridden on, but the horse was even more weary than its master.

Besides, the narrow staircase made his room an excellent place to defend.
"Get my supper," said he, "for I am very tired." "Will your Excellency sup here ?" asked the landlord.
"By no manner of means," returned Wogan, who had it in his mind to spy out the land.

"I detest nothing so much as my own company." He went downstairs into the common room and supped off a smoked ham and a bottle of execrable wine.

While he ate a man came in and sat him down by the fire.

The man had a hot, flushed face, and when he saluted Wogan he could hardly speak.
"You have been running," said Wogan, politely.
"Sir, running is a poor man's overcoat for a chilly evening; besides it helps me to pay with patience the price of wine for vinegar;" and the fellow called the landlord.
Presently two other men entered, and taking a seat by the fire chatted together as though much absorbed in their private business.