“I'll warrant he stayed below water,” said Mr. Mathews. “But what shall we do with the lad?”
“I'll take him to my house for the night,” said Mr. Lowndes, “and in the morning we'll talk to him. I reckon he should be sent to Temple Bow. He is connected in some way with the Temples.”
“God help him if he goes there,” said Mr. Mathews, under his breath. But I heard him.
They locked up the house, and left one of the men to guard it, while I went with Mr. Lowndes to his residence. I remember that people were gathered in the streets as we passed, making merry, and that they greeted Mr. Lowndes with respect and good cheer. His house, too, was set in a garden and quite as fine as Mr. Temple's. It was ablaze with candles, and I caught glimpses of fine gentlemen and ladies in the rooms. But he hurried me through the hall, and into a little chamber at the rear where a writing-desk was set. He turned and faced me.
“You must be tired, David,” he said.
I nodded.
“And hungry? Boys are always hungry.”
“Yes, sir.”
“You had no dinner?”
“No, sir,” I answered, off my guard.