But Ishmael never lost sight of the business immediately in hand. Their walk from the town hall towards their hotel took them immediately past the Aberdeen stage-coach office. Here Ishmael stopped a moment, to secure places for himself and company in the coach that started at eleven o'clock.
"We shall only have time to reach the hotel and pack our portmanteaus before the coach will call for us. It is a hasty journey; but then it will enable us to catch the afternoon train at Aberdeen, and reach Edinboro' early in the evening," said Ishmael.
And the judge acquiesced.
When they entered the inn, they found that the professor and the three negroes were there before them.
Ishmael gave the requisite orders, and they were so promptly executed that when, a few minutes later, the coach called, the whole party was ready to start. The judge and Ishmael rode inside, and the professor and the three negroes on the outside; and thus they journeyed to Aberdeen, where they arrived in time to jump on board the express train that left at two o'clock for Edinboro'. They reached Edinboro' at five o'clock in the afternoon, and drove immediately to Magruder's Hotel. Here they stopped only long enough to change their traveling dresses and dine. And then, leaving the three negroes in charge of the professor, they set out in a cab for Cameron Court. It was eight o'clock in the evening when they arrived and sent in their cards.
The countess and Claudia were at tea in the little drawing room when the cards were brought in.
"Show the gentlemen into this room," said Lady Hurstmonceux to the servant who had brought them.
And in a few minutes the door was thrown open and—"Judge Merlin and
Mr. Worth" were announced.
The countess arose to welcome her guests.
But Claudia felt all her senses reel as the room seemed to turn around with her.