What is meant by the allusion "'Of a truth, friend, that matter remaineth a riddle; and the Daniel who shall expound it is yet a-wanting,' answered the townsman" (chapter 3)?
The allusion "'Of a truth, friend, that matter remaineth a riddle; and the Daniel who shall expound it is yet a-wanting,' answered the townsman" is a reference to a biblical figure named Daniel. In the Bible, Daniel was known for his ability to interpret dreams and visions. He was often summoned by kings and rulers to unravel the mysteries of their dreams and provide them with divine guidance.
In this context, the townsman is saying that the matter at hand (which is not explicitly mentioned in the question) is a mystery, similar to a riddle. He then invokes the figure of Daniel to emphasize that no one in the town possesses the necessary knowledge or insight to solve the mystery. The use of this allusion implies that the matter is complex and requires someone of extraordinary wisdom, like Daniel, to provide an explanation.