Foo-foo the First
MilesHendonhurriedalongtowardtheSouthwarkendofthebridge,keepingasharplook-outforthepersonshesought,andhopingandexpectingtoovertakethempresently.Hewasdisappointedinthis,however.Byaskingquestions,hewasenabledtotrackthempartofthewaythroughSouthwark;thenalltracesceased,andhewasperplexedastohowtoproceed.Still,hecontinuedhiseffortsasbesthecouldduringtherestoftheday.Nightfallfoundhimleg-weary,half-famished,andhisdesireasfarfromaccomplishmentasever;sohesuppedattheTabardInnandwenttobed,resolvedtomakeanearlystartinthemorning,andgivethetownanexhaustivesearch.Ashelaythinkingandplanning,hepresentlybegantoreasonthus:Theboywouldescapefromtheruffian,hisreputedfather,ifpossible;wouldhegobacktoLondonandseekhisformerhaunts?No,hewouldnotdothat,hewouldavoidrecapture.What,then,wouldhedo?Neverhavinghadafriendintheworld,oraprotector,untilhemetMilesHendon,hewouldnaturallytrytofindthatfriendagain,providedtheeffortdidnotrequirehimtogotowardLondonanddanger.HewouldstrikeforHendonHall,thatiswhathewoulddo,forheknewHendonwashomewardboundandtherehemightexpecttofindhim.Yes,thecasewasplaintoHendon—hemustlosenomoretimeinSouthwark,butmoveatoncethroughKent,towardMonk’sHolm,searchingthewoodandinquiringashewent.LetusreturntothevanishedlittleKingnow.