Then Bill hesitated a little; then looking up and rubbing the back of his head, he continued—
“He speaks English, your honour.”
“Speaks English!” repeated our hero, with a start. “How can you know that? you surely must have spoken to him.”
Bill looked puzzled? he, however, said—
“No, your honour, I didn’t speak to him. I was passing him by, you see, when he turns round, and says he, curse his impudence, ‘Hold that, my man, and I’ll thank you.’ ‘See you——first,’ says I.”
“What!” exclaimed the Lieutenant, angrily, “you said that!”
“Not exactly,” said Bill, fidgeting; “in course I meant it. I turns round, fills, and goes ahead; the Mounseer begins singing about some Moll Brook, and some other gibberish, and says I, ‘I’d Moll Brook you, if I had ten minutes’ play with you,’ and so, your honour, I left him.”
“Well,” said Lieutenant Thornton, thoughtfully, “this is serious. However, what’s done cannot be undone! you acted as well as I could expect: but now hear me, you had better keep out of the way: there are two gendarmes coming here, to make the usual examination of the papers of all strangers; so keep to your room unless I send for you.”
Thus speaking, the lieutenant walked on, making a circuit of the house to enable him to reach the great chestnut tree at the back.
“Well, blow me, if this ain’t a nice country to live in. Coming to look at our papers!” muttered Bill, “I wish we had the two lubbers on board the little Onyx—my eyes! wouldn’t I paper them; howsomever, I will take this basket to my room, I suppose I’m not expected to fast because those beggars are coming.”