By half an hour before midnight her guests had gone. Hanky and Panky were given to understand that they must still be tired, and had better go to bed. So was the Mayor; so were her sons and daughters, except of course George, who was waiting for her with some anxiety, for he had seen that she had something serious to tell him. Then she went down into the study. Her son embraced her as she entered, and moved an easy chair for her, but she would not have it.
“No; I will have an upright one.” Then, sitting composedly down on the one her son placed for her, she said—
“And now to business. But let me first tell you that the Mayor was told, twenty years ago, all the more important part of what you will now hear. He does not yet know what has happened within the last few hours, but either you or I will tell him to-morrow.”
CHAPTER IX: INTERVIEW BETWEEN YRAM AND HER SON
“What did you think of Panky?”
“I could not make him out. If he had not been a Bridgeford Professor I might have liked him; but you know how we all of us distrust those people.”
“Where did you meet him?”
“About two hours lower down than the statues.”
“At what o’clock?”
“It might be between two and half-past.”