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"Er--yes, yes," interposed the mayor, fearing a fresh outbreak from thatquarter. "I wonder if you have seen anything of such an animal asMr.--er--Chilter--described?"
"'Tis a most extraordinary thing," said Carstares slowly, "but I havejust bought such an one." He glanced round with an inquiring smile andone eyebrow lifted.
"Well!" ejaculated Mr. Fudby. "Well!"
"Dear me, sir, what a strange coincidence! May I ask where you boughtit, and from whom?"
"She has not been in my possession over two hours. I bought her from anout-at-elbows ruffian, on my way hither. I thought at one time that'twas strange that the man should possess such a mare--pure bred, Ivow--and wondered why he was so eager to be rid of her."
"He was eager because he knew he would be recognised by her," explainedMr. Fudby kindly.
"Without doubt. Perhaps you would like to see her? I will send my man--"
"Oh no, no!" cried the mayor. "We would not dream of so inconveniencingyou--"
"'Twere a pleasure," bowed Jack, devoutly hoping that Mr. Fudby wouldnot require to see Jenny, who, he felt sure, would betray him by hervery evident affection.
"No, no, Sir Anthony, 'tis quite unnecessary, I assure you, but I thankyou for all that. Mr. Fudby, if you would describe the man himself, Iwill see to the proclamation."
"Describe him, Chilter!" ordered Mr. Fudby, who was becoming rathergrumpy.
Mr. Chilter smiled suddenly.
"Certainly, sir!" he said with alacrity. "'Twas a great ruffianlyfellow, monstrous tall--"
"How tall?" interrupted the town-clerk. "Six feet?"
"Oh, quite!" lied Mr. Chilter. "And fat."
Jack's shoulders shook.
"Fat, you say?" he asked gently.
"Very fat," affirmed Mr. Chilter. "And prodigious rough, swearingdreadfully in his speech."
"You could not see his face, I suppose?"
Mr. Chilter hesitated.
"I could see his mouth and chin," he said, "and I remarked a long scarrunning from his under-lip to the--er--bottom of his face."
Involuntarily Carstares' hand caressed his perfectly smooth chin. Eitherthe little clerk was a born romancer, or for some reason or other he didnot want the highwayman to be taken.
"Well, Sir Anthony?" the mayor was saying. "Does that description fityour man?"
My lord frowned thoughtfully.
"Tall," he said slowly, "and fat--you said fat, I think, Mr. Chilter?"
R
ather anxiously Mr. Chilter reiterated this statement.
"Ah! And with a long scar--yes, that is undoubtedly he. Furthermore," headded audaciously, "he has a squint in his left eye. 'Tis a mostill-favoured rogue in all."
"It would appear so, Sir Anthony," remarked the mayor drily. He did notin the least believe the story of the squint, and imagined that the finecourt gentleman was amusing himself at their expense. Nevertheless, hehad no intention of remonstrating; the sooner he could withdraw fromthis very tiresome affair the better. So he gravely took down all theabsurd particulars, remarked that the man should be easy to find, andmade ready to depart.
The town-clerk rose, and tapped the beadle on the shoulder, whereuponthat worthy, with a grunt, abandoned his pose of masterly inactivity andfollowed the mayor out of the room.
