“Fifteen men,” said Mr. Goddard. “I’m expecting three more. They may arrive at any minute.”
“I suppose,” said Miss Blow, “that this is some new kind of trick.”
“Come and see,” said Mr. Goddard. “Lord Manton has placed his waggonette at your disposal. We invite your presence. We insist upon it.”
“My niece and Mrs. Dick,” said Miss Farquharson, “are still in their bedrooms.”
“Get them out,” said Lord Manton, “as quickly as possible. There is no time to be lost. Military expeditions of this sort cannot possibly be delayed.”
“If so be,” said Jimmy O’Loughlin, “that you’ll be wanting me, as a magistrate, to be taking depositions or the like——”
“We don’t absolutely require you,” said Lord Manton; “but we’ll be glad to have you with us.”
“It’ll be better, then,” said Jimmy, “if I go upstairs and put on a decent coat and shave myself. Bridgy, will you run like a good girl and get me a cup of hot water?”
“You may change your coat,” said Mr. Goddard, “but you can’t shave. There isn’t time.”
Miss Blow and Miss Farquharson left the room together.