Mr. Buxton briskly reascended.
“Well, then, Mr. Graves, I entreat you to give your orders, and let your will be known. I am getting hungry for my supper, too, sir. It is already an hour past my time.”
“Sup in the house, sir,” said Mr. Nichol smoothly, “and we shall have done by then.”
Then Hubert blazed up; he took a step forward.
“Now, you fellow,” he said to Nichol, “hold your damned tongue. Mr. Graves and I are the magistrates here, and we say that this gentleman shall sup and sleep here in peace, so you may take your pursuivants elsewhere.”
Lackington looked up with a smile.
“No, Mr. Maxwell, I cannot do that. These men are under my orders, and I shall leave two of them here and send another to keep your fellow company at the back. We will not disturb Mr. Buxton further to-night; but to-morrow we shall see.”
Mr. Buxton paid no sort of further attention to him, but turned to the magistrates.
“Well, gentlemen, what is your decision?”
“You shall sleep here in peace, sir,” said Mr. Graves resolutely. “I can promise nothing for to-morrow.”