And the old woman led the way the whole length of the room, and pausing in front of the settle, cried, in a loud voice, "Ann, dost hear? 'Tis the soldier-gentleman that was so polite when he came hither last Friday se'nnight! Dost mind? Him that was so civil to thee, for all he came to look for Gardener Tom, and could not find him." The old woman turned again to the brigadier, who was close behind, and added, with some irritation: "I know not, sir, why 'tis always to us you come in your search for these evil-doers!"
"We come, dame, where we're most like to find them!" retorted the brigadier dryly, as he came clanking up the tiled floor, and planted himself before the suffering Ann. "And now, mistress, I'd be glad to have an explanation why you failed to come to Rye to see me, as you gave me your word, to put me on the trail of the smugglers."
Ann, whose face was bound up in a handkerchief, with a huge flannel bag against the right cheek, turned to him impatiently.
"Sir, I have been in no fit state for visiting, as you may judge by the size my face is swollen. I caught cold last market-day, and
