Downie and Mrs. Humdrum to join us--"
"Why Mrs. Humdrum?" interrupted Hanky none too pleasantly, for he was
still furious about the duel that had just taken place between himself
and his hostess.
"My dear Professor," said Yram good-humouredly, "pray say all you have to
say and I will continue."
Hanky was silent.
"I have asked," resumed Yram, "Dr. Downie and Mrs. Humdrum to join, us,
and after luncheon we can discuss the situation or no as you may think
proper. Till then let us say no more. Luncheon will be over by two
o'clock or soon after, and the banquet will not begin till seven, so we
shall have plenty of time."
Hanky looked black and said nothing. As for Panky he was morally in a
state of collapse, and did not count.
Hardly had they reached the Mayor's house when the Mayor also arrived
with Dr. Downie and Mrs. Humdrum, both of whom had seen and recognised my
father in spite of his having dyed his hair. Dr. Downie had met him at
supper in Mr. Thims's rooms when he had visited Bridgeford, and naturally
enough had observed him closely. Mrs. Humdrum, as I have already said,
had seen him more than once when he was in prison. She and Dr. Downie
were talking earnestly over the strange reappearance of one whom they had
believed long since dead, but Yram imposed on them the same silence that
she had already imposed on the Professors.
Pages:
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232