"Yes, my lord."
"And did you come directly from the terminus to my house?"
"Yes, my lord."
"Ever been in London before?"
"No, my lord."
Stranleigh, seeing their embarrassment, asked no further questions. He touched a button, and when a servant appeared said:
"Bring in five gipsy-tables, and set out a quart of beer on each, bottled; the best you have, with bread and butter and cheese."
This welcome refection was speedily placed before the group, who noticed that the servant treated them with as much respect as if they were five dukes. They seemed almost afraid to indulge in such a mundane act as eating and drinking in a room that appeared to them like a king's hall, but when once they set to, speedily swept the five little tables clean, and the excellence of the ale gave them a confidence they had not hitherto possessed, except when wrangling with the servants at the door.
"Now," said Stranleigh, throwing one leg over the other, and leaning back, "I rather think you're on a wild-goose chase. Still, if you know my friend Wilson, there may be more in your quest than I am able to perceive at the present moment. I'm certain I don't own any land in Muddleshire, but I won't insist on the point. What is your grievance, may I ask?"
