"I am sorry I haven't got no butcher's meat in the house, sir, but there's fresh eggs, and cold bacon,—and good home-made bread."
"There are worse things!" said Villars, "but I'm not hungry, I was thinking of the young lady."
"A cup of tea, and a slice of home-made bread, is what I should like, if Mrs. Bode will be so kind,—and I shall make the most of my time, in poking about among her nice old things, and there is my nice blue bowl, which I intend to carry home, as a souvenir of this funny adventure. Will you come and help me to ransack the cottage?" said Nancy. "I know you have a flair for old oak, and pewter too."
"No," replied Villars, "I'll let you have it all your own way for once; and leave you to gather up the spoil. I'll just stroll down the road for half an hour,—and smoke a cigarette."
CHAPTER XXXV
"EMPTY!"
Meanwhile the merry quartette in the Rolls-Royce had reached their destination rather late, but before she rushed off to dress, Mrs. Speyde eagerly inquired if Miss Travers, and Sir Dudley had arrived?
"No, ma'am, not yet," replied Sutton, the butler.
"Hooray!" she cried, turning to Mayne, "I win five pounds, and I'll gamble it away to-night, on weak, no trumpers."