Mr. Force handed Odalite into the carriage, and then, turning to the old skipper, said:
“Capt. Grandiere, if you will get in with the ladies, I will take a seat with the driver, and we will all go on together.”
“I will take the seat by the driver, and thank you, if you will allow me; but I cannot be shut up in the inside of that hack; I would rather walk,” replied the old sailor.
“As you please,” said Mr. Force; and he helped the skipper to mount the box, and then entered the carriage and seated himself with his “womenkind.”
“Where to, sir?” inquired the driver.
“To the office of the commissioner of prisoners; and on your way call at the hotel where you took us up.”
“Yes, sir.”
The carriage drove off, passed through the navy yard gate again, and took its way up Garrison Street to Pennsylvania Avenue, and thence to the West End.
Half an hour’s rapid drive brought the party to the front of their hotel.
“My dear,” said the squire to his wife, “I cannot take you and these girls to the commissioner’s office. I will take you upstairs, and ask your brother if he would like to accompany me.”