'Ah! what she wore; that's it, James. What did she wear?'
'I don't usually take stock of my guests' clothing,' replied the
landlord drily, for the ready money of the first arrival had
decidedly biassed him in favour of that gentleman's cause. 'You can
certainly see some of it if you want to,' he added carelessly, 'for
it is drying by the kitchen fire.'
Before the words were half out of his mouth the old gentleman had
exclaimed, 'Ah!' and precipitated himself along what seemed to be
the passage to the kitchen; but as this turned out to be only the
entrance to a dark china-closet, he hastily emerged again, after a
collision with the inn-crockery had told him of his mistake.
'I beg your pardon, I'm sure; but if you only knew my feelings
(which I cannot at present explain), you would make allowances.
Anything I have broken I will willingly pay for.'
'Don't mention it, sir,' said the landlord. And showing the way,
they adjourned to the kitchen without further parley. The eldest of
the party instantly seized the lady's cloak, that hung upon a
clothes-horse, exclaiming: 'Ah! yes, James, it is hers. I knew we
were on their track.'
'Yes, it is hers,' answered the nephew quietly, for he was much less
excited than his companion.
'Show us their room at once,' said the old man.
'William, have the lady and gentleman in the front sitting-room
finished dining?'
'Yes, sir, long ago,' said the hundred plated buttons.
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