The ostler helped him to saddle the horse and was appropriately gratified when he then received a half-sovereign for doing so.
He led the horse from the stable as the Duke went back inside the inn.
He remembered that he had not paid what was owing for dinner and for their rooms.
He put several notes down on the bar and was just leaving when the landlord, looking bleary-eyed and unshaven, came from the kitchen.
“What’s goin’ on?” he asked. “I ’ears from Emma you’ve bin buyin’ an ’orse.”
“I have bought one,” the Duke said briefly, “and I have left the money I owe you on the bar.”
“’Ow do know how much you owe?” the landlord asked suspiciously.
“I guessed what was correct and magnified it,” the Duke replied. “I don’t think you will be disappointed.”
He ran outside and swung himself in
