CLAUDIA.
Ishmael applied himself diligently to active outdoor work during the morning and to study during the evening hours.
Thus several days passed. Nothing was heard from Sam, the carriage, or the judge.
Reuben Gray expressed great anxiety—not upon account of the judge, or Miss Merlin, who, he averred, were both capable of taking care of themselves and each other, but on account of Sam and his valuable charge that he feared had in some way or other come to harm.
Ishmael tried to reassure him by declaring his own opinion that all was right, and that Sam was only waiting at Baymouth for the arrival of his master.
Reuben Gray only shook his head and predicted all sorts of misfortunes.
But Ishmael's supposition was proved to be correct, when late Wednesday night, or rather—for it was after midnight—early Thursday morning, the unusual sound of carriage wheels passing the road before the cottage waked up all its inmates, and announced to them the arrival of the judge and his daughter.
Reuben Gray started up and hurried on his clothes.
Ishmael sprang out of bed and looked forth from the window. But the carriage without pausing for a moment rolled on its way to Tanglewood House.
The startled sleepers finding their services not required returned to bed again.