ADV^ENTURE AT THE CASTLE 51 



" I don't know, miss, I'll ax," replied Moriarty. 



Mr Dashwood helped his companion down and 

 she followed him into the passage and from there 

 to the sitting-room. 



A bright turf fire was bm'ning and the table was 

 still laid, and almost immediately Biddy appeared 

 to say that Mr French had sent word that the lady 

 was to stay at the inn and make herseK comfort- 

 able for the night and to come on to Drumgool in 

 the morning, and to say he was sorry that she 

 should have been put to any inconvenience on 

 account of the horses; all of which seemed as 

 wonderful as wireless telegraphy to Miss Grimshaw, 

 inasmuch as she knew nothing of the gossoon 

 Moriarty had despatched to his master earher in 

 the evening, with a succinct message stating his 

 plan against the baihff, and the absolute necessity 

 of taking the governess along, lest the said baihff , 

 seeing the governess and luggage left behind at the 

 imi, might smell a rat. 



" And what'll you be plazed to have for supper, 

 miss? " asked Biddy. 



" What can you give us? " asked Mr Dashwood. 



" Anything you like, sorr." 



" Well, get us a cold roast chicken and some 

 ham. I'm sure you'd like chicken, wouldn't you? " 

 turning to the girl. 



" Yes," said she, " as long as they haven't to 

 cook it. I'm famished." 



Biddy retired. There was no cold chicken and 

 there was no ham on the premises, but the spirit 



