It was but half an hour’s ride, and at the end of that time they drew up before the door of Mondreer.
Old Bowen alighted first; Leonidas and Roland followed.
“You drive the carriage round to the stable, and keep it there for us to go back to town in,” said the old officer to the younger one, who was on the box. “And keep a still tongue in your head, mind you!” he added, in a whisper, to his subordinate, who nodded, and drove off toward the stables.
Old Jake met the party at the door, and said:
“Marster wishes you ge’men to walk right on inter de liberary; and dis is de way,” he added, with a bow and a flourish of his arm, as he walked on before and opened the door leading into the rear room, which was Mr. Force’s sanctum.
CHAPTER XXXIV
BEFORE THE SQUIRE
Mr. Force was seated in his leathern chair before a large, open fire, and beside a round table covered with books and stationery.
The squire, with his surroundings, looked as little like a magistrate in his office as could be well imagined.