He did not seem to hear my question, for he went on immediately.
"There are only five of the party, sir," he said. "Two gentlemen and three servants."
I saw that my Cousin Tom was behind me now; and that Dolly was looking from the door of the Great Chamber.
"You have not yet told us," I said, "what your master's name is."
"I think, sir, he had best answer that," said the fellow.
Now this might very well be a Catholic, and perhaps an important person who had heard of Mr. Jermyn, but did not wish to advertise who himself was. I looked at my Cousin Tom; and thought from his look that the same thought had come to him.
"Well, Cousin?" I said.
"They had best come in—" he said shortly. "Dolly, rouse some of the servants. They will want supper, I suppose."
He nodded to the man, who went back immediately; and a minute later two gentlemen came up the flagged path, also in great cloaks that appeared soaked with the rain.
"By God, sir!" said the first of them, "we are grateful to you. This is a wild night."