Trenchard felt the change from unwilling to willing companionship, and approved it.
They mounted the three steps and entered the common room of the inn.
It was well thronged at the time, but they found places at the end of a long table, and there they sat and discussed the landlady's Canary for the best part of a half-hour, until a sudden spatter of musketry, near at hand, came to startle the whole room.
There was a momentary stillness in the tavern, succeeded by an excited clamouring, a dash for the windows and a storm of questions, to which none could return any answer.

Richard had risen with a sudden exclamation, very pale and scared of aspect.

Trenchard tugged at his sleeve.
"Sit down," said he.

"Sit down.

It will be nothing." "Nothing ?" echoed Richard, and his eyes were suddenly bent on Trenchard in a look in which suspicion was now blent with terror.
A second volley of musketry crackled forth at that moment, and the next the whole street was in an uproar.