"Very kind. I hope I shan't be in your way, Sir Jekyl. Very happy."
"I shan't let you off to-morrow, unless you really can't help it," he said; and, the servant entering, "Tell Mrs. Sinnott that Mr. Pelter remains here to-night, and would wish--_do_ you?--to run up to your room. Where's your luggage?"
"Precious light luggage it is. I left it at the hotel in the town--a small valise, and a----"
"Get it up here, do you mind, and let us know when Mr. Pelter's room is ready."
"Don't be long about dressing; we must join the ladies, you know, in the drawing-room. I wish, Pelter, there was no such thing as business; and that all attorneys, except you and Crowe, of course, were treated in this and the next world according to their deserts," an ambiguous compliment at which Pelter nodded slyly, with his hands in his pockets.
"You'll have to get us all the information you can scrape together, Sir Jekyl. You see they may have evidence of that deed--I mean the lost one, you know--and proving a marriage and the young gentleman legitimate. It may be a serious case--upon my word a _very_ serious case--do you see? And term begins, you know, immediately so there really is no time to lose, and there's no harm in being ready."
"I'll have a long talk with you about it in the morning, and I am devilish glad you came--curse the whole thing!"
The servant here came to say that Mr. Pelter's room was ready, and his luggage sent for to the town.
"Come up, then--we'll look at your room."
So up they went, and Pelter declared himself charmed.
"Come to my room, Mr. Pelter--it's a long way off, and a confoundedly shabby crib; but I've got some very good cigars there," said Sir Jekyl, who was restless, and wished to hear the attorney more fully on this hated business.
Sir Jekyl marched Mr. Pelter down the great stair again, intending to make the long journey rearward. As they reached the foot of the stairs, Monsieur Varbarriere, candle in hand, was approaching it on the way to his room. He was walking leisurely, as large men do after dinner, and was still some way off.
"By Jove! Why did not you tell me?" exclaimed the attorney, stopping short. "By the law! you've _got_ him here."
"Monsieur Varbarriere?" said the Baronet.