"
Lackington looked up with a smile.
"No, Mr. Maxwell, I cannot do that. These men are under my orders, and I
shall leave two of them here and send another to keep your fellow company
at the back, We will not disturb Mr. Buxton further to-night; but
to-morrow we shall see."
Mr. Buxton paid no sort of further attention to him, but turned to the
magistrates.
"Well, gentlemen, what is your decision?"
"You shall sleep here in peace, sir," said Mr. Graves resolutely. "I can
promise nothing for to-morrow."
"Then will you kindly allow one of my men to bring me supper and a couch
of some kind, and I shall be obliged if the ladies may sup with me."
"That they shall," assented Mr. Graves. "Mr. Maxwell, will you escort
them here?"
Hubert, who was turning away, nodded and disappeared round the yew-hedge.
Lackington, who had been talking in an undertone to the pursuivants, now
went up another alley with one of them and Mr. Nichol, and disappeared
too in the gathering gloom of the garden. The other two pursuivants
separated and each moved a few steps off and remained just out of sight.
Plainly they were to remain on guard. Mr. Buxton and the magistrate sat
down on a couple of garden-chairs.
"That is an obstinate fellow, sir," said Mr. Graves.
"They are certainly both of them very offensive fellows, sir. I was
astonished at your indulgence towards them."
The magistrate was charmed by this view of the case, and remained talking
with Mr.
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