Another who stayed longer than he ought; at least, longer than he had intended; was Robert Hunter. Seduced into taking a cigar--and never were such cigars smoked as Justice Thornycroft's--he sat on, and let the time slip by unheeded. On ordinary evenings the omnibus left Coastdown at half-past nine o'clock to convey passengers to the last train, that passed through Jutpoint at midnight. On Sunday nights the omnibus left at half-past eight, some dim notion swaying the minds of the authorities that the earlier hour implied a sort of respect to the day. The convenience of the passengers went for nothing; they had to wait at Jutpoint where and how they could. It had been Robert Hunter's intention to go by this omnibus, and it was only by seeing Isaac Thornycroft look at his watch that he remembered time was flying. He pulled out his own.
"By Jove, I've missed the omnibus," he whispered to Cyril, who sat next him. "It is half-past eight now."
"What shall you do?"
"Walk it. I must be in London for to-morrow morning."
Rising as he spoke, he quietly said farewell to Mr. Thornycroft, Richard, Isaac and Mr. Kyne, and stole from the room, not to disturb the other guests, who were seated round the fire now in a cloud of tobacco smoke. Cyril went out with him. Miss Thornycroft and Anna were in the drawing-room drinking coffee. A cup was passed to Robert Hunter.
"What a sad thing--to have to walk to Jutpoint!" exclaimed Mary Anne.
He laughed at the words. "I shall enjoy it far more than I should the omnibus."
"Ah, I think you must have stayed on purpose, then. But what of the portmanteau?"
"It can come by train to-morrow, if one of your servants will take it to the Mermaid," was his answer. "My address is on it."
As he was speaking, Lady Ellis's maid came into the room and delivered him a small bit of twisted paper. Holding it to the light, he read the faintly-pencilled words:--