None could answer the questions.
The foremost rider drew rein before the house. "Is this an inn?" demanded he through the open door. Host, waiter, hostler, all stumbled out together.
"May it so please you!" replied the host, humbly.
Meanwhile the officer's servant had ridden up and jumped from his horse. The officer also dismounted. The hostler would have taken his bridle. The officer pushed him back so roughly, that he staggered and fell. "Clown, how dare you touch my horse?"
The servant took the bridle from his master, and gave the unfortunate hostler a kick in the rear as he rose to his legs.
"Does your lordship propose to remain here?" inquired the innkeeper, in a tone of deep submission.
The officer answered not. He patted his horse on neck and shoulder. Then he turned round to the host and said, briefly and imperiously, "A room!"
The three officers within doors looked at each other with increasing astonishment.
"Do you know him? Who is he?" asked one of them.
He was unknown to all of them.