"That's well over," observed Edward. "Chaloner and Grenville are too
young-looking and too good-looking for Lambert's villains; and a sight
of them might have occasioned suspicion. We must, however, expect more
visits. Keep a good look-out, Pablo."
Edward and Humphrey then went in and joined the party inside the
cottage, who were in a state of no little suspense during the colloquy
outside.
"Why, Alice, dearest! you look quite pale!" said Edward, as he came
in.
"I feared for our guests, Edward. I'm sure that if they had come into
the cottage, Master Chaloner and Master Grenville would never have
been believed to be troopers."
"We thank you for the compliment, Mistress Alice," said Chaloner; "but
I think, if necessary, I could ruffle and swear with the best, or
rather the worst of them. We passed for troopers very well on the road
here."
"Yes, but you did not meet any other troopers."
"That's very true, and shows your penetration. I must acknowledge
that, with troopers, there would have been more difficulty; but still,
among so many thousands, there must be many varieties, and it would be
an awkward thing for an officer of one troop to arrest upon suspicion
the men belonging to another. I think when we are visited again I
shall sham intoxication--that will not be very suspicious.
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