"Ho, you fellow there," one called out, "keep back your cur, we don't
want to hurt him nor you."
"Then what are you doing here?" demanded Stead.
"We are come for what you wot of. For the King's service."
"Who sent you?" asked Stead, for the moment somewhat dazed.
One of them laughed and said, "As if you did not know."
There was a sickening perception, but Stead's powers were alert
enough for him to exclaim, "Then you have no warrant."
"My good fellow, don't stickle about such trifles. For the King's
service it is, and that should be enough for all loyal hearts.
Hollo, what's that? Silence your dog, I say," as Growler's voice
resounded through the gulley, "or it will be the worse for you and
him."
Stead took hold of the dog's collar, and amidst his choked grumbles,
said, "I do nought but on true warrant."
"Hark ye, blockhead," said the foremost. "I'm an officer of His
Majesty's, with power to make requisitions for his service."
"Shew it," said Stead, quite convinced that this was sheer robbery.
Pages:
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281