Coristine
consented, on condition that his new friend would also lend him his
riding gaiters. Madame produced the wherewithal to spend a social
half-hour before retiring, and, in answer to the detective, said: "Ze
sack ees in ze commode in ze chombre of M'syae." Mr. Nash laughed, and
over his glass and clay pipe, confided to his fellow-conspirators that
he had a few little properties in that bag, and was much afraid that
some of them would compel him to desecrate the Sabbath. "You are used to
my religious performances, Mr Coristine; I hope your friend, and my old
principal, Mr. Wilkinson, will not be as hard on me as you were."
Then the dominie was informed of the events of the evening, and the
parties separated for the night.
Sunday morning dawned clear and cloudless, giving promise of a glorious
day. Everybody in the inn was up before six o'clock; for at seven it was
the intention of the three guests to take the road for a place of
worship in Flanders. Ben Toner was waiting on the verandah for the
appearance of Coristine; and, when that gentleman came out to taste the
morning air, greeted him with clumsy effusion, endeavouring, at the same
time, to press a two-dollar bill upon his acceptance.
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