do my duty.” “Ay, sir, as we do ours,” replied the parson, sturdily. “We ask not what a man has done when he comes to us for help. We ask but what we can do for him, be he friend or be he foe.” “I know it, sir. I have experienced your kindness—and Mistress Joan’s.” The young lady now stood a little in the background, looking anxious and perturbed. She hardly glanced at him when he uttered her name. “You will pardon me, sir, for being forced to incommode you thus.” “You must do your duty, sir,” retorted Parson Langney, dryly. “And you will admit us when we come with a warrant?” [64] [64] “Ay, sir.” Tregenna bowed and withdrew. Halfway down the garden path he heard a noise behind him, and turned. Parson Langney was busy rolling the keg of brandy into his house. On meeting the lieutenant’s eyes, the parson, hardly pausing in his labor, sang out with much simplicity— “’Tis but the physician’s fee, sir. And sure, the laborer is worthy of his hire!” And with that, he gave the keg a final roll, got it within doors, and drew the bolt. [65] [65] CHAPTER V. A LOAD OF HAY. Lieutenant Tregenna was quite prepared to find the gentlemen at Hurst Court in a very merry mood, after the hours which they had spent at the dinner-table since his abrupt departure. Lieutenant Tregenna He sent in his message that his business was urgent, and chose to wait in the great hall, with the staghounds sniffing about his ankles, rather than have to discuss small-talk with the ladies, as the old butler wished him to do.
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