"
The intendant then went out and said to the party, "It appears from
what I can extract from this lad Armitage, that there are boxes which
he removed to his cottage; we will go there to see what they may
contain. It is now noon. Have you any refreshment to offer us in your
cottage, young man, when we arrive?"
"I keep no hostelry, sir," replied Edward, somewhat gloomily; "my own
labor and my brother's is sufficient for the support of my own family,
but no more."
"Let us move on; and two of you keep your eye upon that young man,"
said the intendant aside.
They then proceeded through the wood; the intendant mounted his horse,
and they set off for the cottage, where they arrived at about two
o'clock in the afternoon.
CHAPTER XVII.
Humphrey came out as soon as he perceived the intendant and his party
approaching, and whispered to Edward that all was safe. The intendant
dismounted, and ordering every body but his clerk to wait outside, was
ushered into the cottage by Edward. Alice, Edith, and Pablo were in
the room; the two girls were not a little flushed and frightened by
the unusual appearance of so large a party of strangers.
"These are my sisters, sir," said Edward. "Where is Clara, Alice?"
"She is alarmed, and has gone into our bedroom.
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