“We do but obey our orders, sirs,” said the night watchman, civilly. “From your dress and manner, I have no doubt you are a couple of ‘sparks’ returning home, but we have received special orders from Colonel Blood himself this very night, to allow no one to pass near his house, after certain hours, without demanding who and what they are.”
“Why, you impudent fellow,” said Bates, “Colonel Blood is not in town—he left this evening.”
“Ah, sirs, indeed, then you are beforehand with us—who told you?”
“Why, the colonel himself, knaves,” said Bates. “How dare you stop me and my companion? We are most intimate friends of the colonel. My name is Captain Bates, an officer of the Crown.”
“Captain Bates? really, I beg pardon. I did not recollect you. I’m very sorry.”
“Yes, sir, we are very sorry,” said the other; “and the name of your tall friend is——”
“Captain! ah, yes, Captain Jenkins,” said Jack, on the instant.
“You see, Captain Bates,” said one of the watchmen, very politely, “we have especial orders from the colonel himself to allow no one to pass towards his gardens without we know they are strictly honest and respectable.”
“And are not we strictly honest and respectable, then, villain?” said Bates, blustering. “Why, for two pins, I’d——”
“Oh, there cannot be a doubt of that, sir,” said the trembling night watchman; “you could not be an officer of the crown, else.”