“I’ve something more important to think about than a quizzing-glass that don’t belong to me, and which I don’t like. Ugly, cumbersome thing, it was. I dare say I left it on the table in the coffee-room.”
Nye shook his head. “It wasn’t there this morning, sir.”
“Well, I may have brought it upstairs. I tell you I don’t know, and I don’t care.”
“I suppose it doesn’t signify,” said Miss Thane reflectively. “Depend upon it, that was what the Beau wanted. I must say, I hope he found it, for the prospect of any more ransacking I find quite appalling.”
Eustacie, helping Sir Hugh to smooth and fold several crumpled neckcloths, said carefully: “This is a very good adventure, and of course I am enjoying it— cela va sans dire! —but—but do you think that Basil will again try to come and kill Ludovic?”
“I should think it unlikely,” answered Shield, “but I am going to ride back to the Court for my night-gear, and spend the night in Ludovic’s room.”
“Famous!” said Miss Thane. “I declare I never dreamed of such a romantic adventure as this turns out to be. In a little while we shall be barricading ourselves into the inn in a state of siege. Nothing would be more delightful!”
“I’ve no objection to Shield’s putting up here, if he wants to,” stated Sir Hugh, “but if I am to be roused out of my bed by fellows in loo-masks I won’t be answerable for the consequences!”
Miss Thane, perceiving that his placidity was seriously impaired, set herself to coax him back into good humour. Nye promised to send Clem up immediately to put away all the scattered belongings, and he presently allowed himself to be escorted down to the parlour and installed in an easy chair by the fire, with a bottle of Madeira at his elbow. All he asked, he said, was a little peace and quiet, so his sister tactfully withdrew, leaving him to the mellowing influence of his wine.
Sir Tristram did not remain long at the Red Lion, but soon called for his horse, promising to return in time for dinner. No more startling events occurred during the course of the afternoon, and no suspicious strangers entered the taproom. Sir Tristram came back shortly after six o’clock, and Nye, bolting the door into the coffee-room, released Ludovic, who had reached the point of announcing with considerable acrimony that if coming into possession of his inheritance entailed many more days spent underground, he would prefer to return to his free trading.