“By God’s life, I take you, sir.” A subtle but delightful sense of flattery had been engendered in the little peacock’s brain. “That is, I think I take you. It is—that is—she is—”
The man in the plum-colored cloak checked the threatened indiscretion of Justice Pretyman with an uplifted and much-bejeweled hand.
“For heaven’s sake, Master Prettyfellow!” He gazed around him apprehensively. “We are in danger of being overheard.”
For this surmise, the man in the plum-colored cloak had full warrant without a doubt. Others, attired with a flamboyance and a glitter that went well with his own, were standing a little apart. And their almost excessive gravity of manner could not disguise the fact that they had both ears and eyes for all that was going forward.
There was one, however, who watched this play with a sour smile. He was a man more sober in dress, but whose attire was yet that of a person of quality. He stood quite apart from all the rest, and carried his arm in a sling. The look on his face clearly showed that he, too, had ears and eyes for all that was taking place. Moreover, he stroked his chin with an air of grim but deeply pensive satisfaction.
“If you are determined to have search made of this tavern, Master Prettyfellow,” said the man in the plum-colored cloak, “it is not for me to gainsay you. But I am sure you will readily understand how necessary it is that this matter should be pursued with the utmost decorum.”
“Sir, that I do promise,” said Justice Pretyman.
“That is well,” said the man in the plum-colored cloak, “with the utmost decorum. And as I understand, you have figured at Court, Master Prettyfellow”—here the voice was raised to a level that drew the attention of the group near by—“And, as I understand, you have figured at Court, Master Prettyfellow”—the words were impressively repeated.
“You may take it, sir, that I have.” The tone of Justice Pretyman was full of dignity.
“I am very glad indeed to hear that.” The man in the plum-colored cloak spoke with a sudden accession of feeling. “I cannot tell you how glad I am to hear that. Now there will not be the least difficulty about the whole matter. I will send in your name at once to this most distinguished lady, who must remain without one. My lord——”