Thereby Hangs a Tale Part 21

"Yes, sir; I am, sir; and--er-rum--"

"Be cool--be cool," said Pratt, "You called me a cad just now."

"I did, sir; and--"

"Well, I am a barrister--of the Temple. There is my card."

He stuck the little piece of pasteboard into the magistrate's hand.

"Confound your card, sir! I--"

"Now--now, look here," said Pratt, b.u.t.ton-holing him; "don't be cross.

Let me ask you this--Is it wise of you--a justice of the peace--to set your men on, right or wrong, to break that peace?"

Sir Hampton Rea stopped short for a moment or two, and then gasped, seemed as if he would choke, and ended by s.n.a.t.c.hing his coat away from Pratt's grasp.

"Darley, Sanders, come back--go back," he said at last. "These people shall hear from me."

The rat-trap man stood looking evilly at the young keeper, and the Scotch gardener took a pinch of snuff. Then they slowly followed their master, and the coast was clear.

"You're sure, I suppose, about this tongue of land?" said Pratt. "By Jove! what a rage, though, the old boy was in."

"Sure? yes--oh yes," said Trevor. "Wasn't it here that they sunk the shaft for the copper mine, Humphrey?"

"Yes, sir, twenty yards farther on, under that clump. It's 'most filled up, though, now."

"To be sure, I recollect the spot well enough now. But this is a bad job, Franky," he continued, in an undertone. "I wanted to be on the best of terms with my neighbours."

"'Specially that neighbour," said Pratt, meaningly.

"With all my neighbours," said Trevor.

"You've made a nice beginning, then," said Pratt.

"If there is any fresh upset, Humphrey, let me know; but don't pick a quarrel," said Trevor. "I shall not go any farther to-day."

"Very well, sir," said the keeper; and then in an undertone, as he stooped and patted the dog, "Kick you, would he, Juno, la.s.s? Never mind, then, he shall have it back some day."

The dog whined and leaped up at him, as he rose again, and looked after his master.

"Well, he's grown into a fine, bold-speaking gentleman," he said to himself; "but I should have liked it better if he'd tackled to and helped me to thrash them two ill-looking blackguards."

Meanwhile Trevor and his old schoolfellow had been walking sharply back towards the house, where they were evidently being watched for by the old butler, Lloyd--the remains of a fine-looking man, for he was bent now, though his eyes were clear and bright.

"I saw you coming across the park, Master d.i.c.k," he said, his face s.h.i.+ning with pleasure. "You'll have a bit of lunch now, won't you?"

"Early yet, isn't it?" said Pratt.

"I don't think so, sir," said the old butler, austerely. "I am sure Master d.i.c.k requires something after his long walk."

"Yes, yes--that he does," said a rather shrill voice; and an active, grey-haired woman of about fifty came bustling out. She was very primly dressed in black silk, with white muslin kerchief, white holland ap.r.o.n, in whose pockets her hands rested; and her grey hair was carefully smoothed back beneath her plain white muslin cap.

"No, no; it's only twelve o'clock, Mrs Lloyd," said Trevor, good-humouredly. "I lunch at one."

"You take my advice, Master d.i.c.k, and have it now," said the butler.

"Yes, Lloyd, have it brought in, and ask Master d.i.c.k if he'll have some of the old claret," said the woman.

"My dear Mrs Lloyd," said Trevor, smiling, "this is very kind of you-- of you both--but I'm not ready for lunch yet. You can both go now.

I'll ring when I'm ready."

He led the way into his handsomely furnished study, the beau ideal of a comfortable room for a man with a mingling of literary and sporting tastes.

"Here, let's sit down and have a cigar," he said, pus.h.i.+ng a great leather-covered chair to his friend; "it will smooth us down after our encounter."

"No; I'll fill my pipe," said Pratt, suiting the action to the word, and lighting up, to send big clouds of smoke through the large room.

"You mustn't take any notice of the old butler and housekeeper, Frank,"

said Trevor, after a pause.

"Don't mean to."

"You see, they've had their own way here since I was a child."

"And now they don't like to give it up?"

"I suppose not. But they mean well. They were always, I can remember, most affectionate to me."

"Yes; they seem to like Master d.i.c.k."

"Pis.h.!.+ yes, of course--their way. Sounds stupid, though, Franky; but you can't wonder at it."

"I don't," said Pratt. "But I should put my foot down, I think."

"That I most decidedly shall, and before Van and the little Baronet come down."

"Oh, by Jove!" said Pratt, starting, "why those two fellows are coming to-morrow."

"Yes; they'll be here about five."

"And what in the world are you going to do with them?"

"Oh, there's plenty to do--billiards, and cards, and smoking indoors; fis.h.i.+ng and yachting out of doors."

"Yes," said Pratt, with a sigh; "but they'll both be murmuring after the flesh-pots of Pall Mall. You'll have your hands pretty full."

"Never fear," said Trevor; "I shall be able to entertain them. How strange it all seems, though--such a little while since we were boys at Eton, and now Van a perfect exquisite."

"Landells an imperfect ditto."