“How long was he gone, Benny?”
“A goodish while. All night, I dessay,” replied Ben vaguely. “Nobody comed through the gate, and I went to sleep, and when me dad come in the fire was gone out.”
Chirk let him go. He glanced up at John, slightly frowning. “Queer start!” he remarked.
“Which way did that wagon go, Ben?” asked John.
After a moment’s reflection, Ben said that he thought it was going Sheffield-way. He added that they didn’t often get them along the road after dark; and then, feeling that the subject was exhausted, begged for a sugar-lump to give to the mare. John nodded permission, and he sped forth once more, leaving the two men to look at one another.
“It is a queer start,” said Chirk, rubbing his chin. “Danged if I know what to make of it!”
“What had the waggon to do with it? What was on it?”
“It don’t make a ha’porth o’ difference if there was a cageful o’ wild beasts on it, I don’t see what call Ned had to go along with it!” said Chirk. “If a party o’ mill-kens have been and slummed Chatsworth, and loaded the swag on to that there waggon, they might grease Ned in the fist to keep his mummer shut, but they wouldn’t want him to go along with them!” He pulled out a large silver watch, and consulted it. “Time I was brushing, Soldier! I don’t take the mare up to Kellands, so if you’ll let her bide in the shed till I come back, I’ll be obliged to you.”
The Captain nodded. “She’ll be safe enough. Think it over, Chirk!—and give my message to Rose!”