This Serlizer at once agreed to. Mr. Walker rode to the post
office and exacted the promise from Mrs. Flower and the masons, thus
depriving the constable of his prey. He was compelled to untie their
hands, and restore the confiscated pocket knives. The masons were
invited to supper at Bridesdale, as was the woman; but the men proposed
to go on to the River, as they had money to pay their way; and Mrs.
Flower, who would not leave Harding's body, was given in charge to the
post mistress. The supper tables in hall and kitchen were very different
from those of the previous night. In the latter, Ben Toner, the
constable, and Maguffin had each a lady to talk to. Their superiors
missed the company of the lawyer, the detective, and Mr. Bigglethorpe,
to say nothing of Mr. Terry. The doctor was stretched out upon a sofa in
the office, where his daughter waited on him, assisted by Perrowne, who
had to carry the other articles of food while she preceded him with the
tea. Miss Du Plessis, similarly helped by the colonel, attended to the
wants of the dominie. Consequently, the steady members of the supper
circle were the three matrons and Miss Carmichael, with Squires Walker
and Carruthers, Mr.
Pages:
449
450
451
452
453
454
455
456
457
458
459
460
461
462
463
464
465
466
467
468
469
470
471
472
473