The noise they made on entering the court-yard seemed to have roused the inmates from the sleep into which they had apparently been plunged. An old butler, followed by a couple of footmen, came out of the house, and with evident alarm depicted in his countenance, requested to know their business.
"Our business is with Sir Richard Rawcliffe," replied Atherton. "We must see him immediately."
"I do not think Sir Richard will see you, gentlemen," replied the butler. "He is much fatigued. I will deliver any message to him with which you may charge me."
"We must see him," cried the sergeant, authoritatively. "We come from the prince."
The butler no longer hesitated, but assuming a deferential air, said he would at once conduct the gentlemen to his master.
As they had already dismounted, he bade one of the servants take their horses to the stable, and ushered the unwelcome visitors into a large entrance-hall, in which a wood fire was burning.
Remarking that the butler stared at him very hard, Atherton said:
"You look at me as if you had seen me before. Is it so? I have no recollection of you."
"I don't think I have seen you before, sir," replied the man, gravely. "But I have seen some one very like you." Whom shall I announce to Sir Richard?"
"I am Captain Legh," said Atherton. "But there is no necessity to announce me. Conduct me to your master at once."