“Oh, Marse Lyon, sir, I came arter the housekeeping truck as you left here, which I couldn’t get a chance to fetch it before, ’cause I was afraid o’ ’citin’ ’spicion.”
“And have you the things in that cart?”
“Yes, Marse.”
“Then hold on for a moment, and spread the mattress on the bottom of the cart for your young mistress to lie down upon and rest, while you and I have a little talk.”
Joe promptly obeyed this order; and when the rude bed was ready, Lyon lifted Sybil from her seat and laid her upon it. The tired horses were then relieved from their saddles and turned loose for a while. And then Mr. Berners and Joe sat down by the roadside to consult.
“And first I want you to tell me, Joe, whether our sojourn at the Haunted Chapel ever was found out,” said Mr. Berners.
“Lor, no, sir! it never were even suspicioned! quite contrary wise, indeed.”
“How so?”
“Why, it was ’ported ’round as you was bofe at Marster Capping Pendulum’s all the time, which when himself was taxed with it, he never let on as you wasn’t there; quite contrary wise, as I said afore.”
“But how now?”