“No doubt Warner has his eye on them by this time, sir,” observed the gamekeeper. “However, we’ll get to work, Mr Goodall, now it is a little quieter.”
“Yes, sharp is the word in case of squalls.”
The squire was soon seen to be hurrying down with some of his servants and a truck laden with tea, coffee, cold meat and a lot of creature comforts, with sundry bottles of more stimulating liquids and lighter drinks for the balloonist.
As it was comparatively calm when they came to hand, the squire proposed that, if half the numerous hands could be spared, they should go into the spacious barn close by, and partake of something to eat and drink, the next shift going in when they reappeared.
Acting on this proposal, all hands were fortified for night work, and they were told to run over, a few at a time, to the gasworks and dry their clothes in the retort house.
Bennet asked the squire and Mr Goodall if they would like to go over to his cottage to talk, as Trigger had brought letters from Sydenham and Lewes, which, in the bewilderment of the gale, he had omitted to deliver.
Soon after midnight there was such an improvement in the general outlook, coupled with a steady rise in the barometer, that the attendants were allowed, in divisions, to withdraw into the adjacent lane and smoke their pipes. Shortly after, the squire had a quiet chat with Mr Goodall, and then he proceeded to the Hall. But Harry Goodall returned to the balloon, where he found the gamekeeper awaiting him.
“Now look here, Bennet,” said Mr Goodall, in an undertone, “we don’t want that inquisitive doctor in the way, so I must find a means of getting rid of him, though, to be candid, he is too outspoken and blunt for that sort of thing, but I think it is very likely he has been made a tool and a fool of by that arch-demon Falcon and his crafty confederate.”
“I do believe you’re right, sir, and I only hope that Warner has got them right and tight by this time.”
“They’re likely to double or cut some unexpected capers, I should say, Bennet. Warner mustn’t expect they will go direct into the Dieppe or short sea-route steamers.”