“And wherefore,” pursued the lawyer, “do you believe the fellow’s what he says he is?”
“First, because his language and manners are those of a gentleman; and secondly, because he has the air and carriage of a soldier.”
“I could come nearer to the mark,” returned Josiah, with a grin.
“Could you? Well, then, what do you suppose the stranger is?” The lawyer looked suspiciously around him; and then, in a lowered voice, slowly replied, “A highwayman.”
My father burst into a roar of laughter.
“Ay, you may laugh,” observed Josiah, “but I am not far astray, for all that. Bless you! trust nothing to appearances. I have known a footpad pass current for a lord; and, for two reasons, I know I’m right about that chap at the Rose and Crown.”
“And what may these reasons be?” asked the quarter-master.
“First,” replied the lawyer, “he has plenty of money; and second, he has no marks upon his linen. It’s stolen, you may depend upon it, and the initials carefully picked out.”
“And how the devil can you know any thing regarding either the contents of his purse or his baggage?”
“Ha, ha! leave me to scent out things. I made George Gripp bribe the chambermaid. It cost me two pints of ale and a shilling; but she let the eat out of the bag. They’ll try his portmanteau tomorrow morning, when he goes to the Cliffs. George thinks he has a key at home that will fit the lock exactly.”