On March 19th, 1780—27 years to the day after the murder of Rueben Haredale and five after the beginning of the novel—Solomon Daisy runs into the Maypole and tells its usual inhabitants that he has seen a ghost. Old John assumes it to be the ghost of Rueben Haredale, but suggests they all keep it a secret unless someone sees the ghost again. Old John has never spoken of his son’s disappearance five years earlier, though he has put out a reward for whom he has called a “young boy” and portrayed to be someone much younger and smaller than Joe.

Thinking more on Solomon’s story, Old John decides that it would actually be a good idea to tell Mr. Haredale, and plans to go to the Warren with Hugh before bed. When John tells Haredale his story, Haredale asks Hugh to wait outside, not trusting him. While they are leaving, John notices Hugh looks pale, and shortly after Hugh sweeps him out of the way of three oncoming horsemen.

The horsemen ask if they are on the London road and if there is an inn nearby, and Old John happily shows them to