The more he saw and heard of Mr. Fudby, the less he liked him. Neitherdid the town-clerk care for him. There was that about Mr. Fudby that didnot endear him to his fellow-men, especially when they chanced to be hisinferiors in the social scale. The beadle did not think much aboutanything. Having decided (and rightly) that the affair had nothingwhatever to do with him, he leaned back in his chair and stared stolidlyup at the ceiling.
The tale Mr. Fudby was telling bore surprisingly little resemblance tothe truth. It was a much embellished version, in which he himself hadbehaved with quite remarkable gallantry. It had been gradually concoctedduring the journey to Lewes.
He was still holding forth when my lord entered the room. Carstaresraised his glass languidly to survey the assembled company, bowedslightly, and walked over to the fire. He seated himself in an armchairand took no further notice of anybody.
Mr. Hedges had recognised at a glance that here was some _grandseigneur_ and wished that Mr. Fudby would not speak in so loud a voice.But that individual, delighted at having a new auditor, continued histale with much relish and in a still louder tone.
My lord yawned delicately and took a pinch of snuff.
"Yes, yes," fussed Mr. Hedges. "But, short of sending to London for theRunners, I do not see what I can do. If I send to London, it must, ofcourse, be at your expense, sir."
Mr. Fudby bristled.
"At _my_ expense, sir? Do ye say at _my_ expense? I am surprised! Irepeat--I am surprised!"
"Indeed, sir? I can order the town-crier out, describing the horse,and--er--offering a reward for the capture of any man on such ananimal. But--" he shrugged and looked across at the town-clerk--"I donot imagine that 'twould be of much use--eh, Mr. Brand?"
The clerk pursed his lips and spread out his hands.
"I fear not; I very much fear not. I would advise Mr. Fudby to have aproclamation posted up round the country." He sat back with the air ofone who has contributed his share to the work, and does not intend tooffer any more help.
"Ho!" growled Mr. Fudby. He blew out his cheeks. "'Twill be a grievousexpense, though I suppose it must be done, and I cannot but feel that ifit had not been for your deplorably cowardly conduct, Chilter--yes,cowardly conduct, I say--I might never have been robbed of my twohundred!" He snuffled a little, and eyed the flushed but silent Chilterwith mingled reproach and scorn. "However, my coachman assures me hecould swear to the horse again, although he cannot remember much aboutthe man himself. Chilter! How did he describe the horse?"
"Oh--er--chestnut, Mr. Fudby--chestnut, with a half-moon of white on itsforehead, and one white foreleg."
Jack perceived that it was time he took a hand in the game. He halfturned in his chair and levelled his quizzing-glass at Mr. Chilter.
"I beg your pardon?" he drawled.
Mr. Fudby's eye brightened. The fine gentleman was roused to anexpression of interest at last. He launched forth into his story oncemore for my lord's benefit. Carstares eyed him coldly, seeing which, Mr.Hedges came hurriedly to the rescue.
"Er--yes, Mr. Fudby--quite so! Your pardon, sir, I have not the honourof knowing your name?"
"Ferndale," supplied Jack, "Sir Anthony Ferndale."
"Er--yes--" Mr. Hedges bowed. "Pray pardon my importuning you withour--"
"Not at all," said my lord.
"No--quite so--The fact is, these--er--gentlemen have hadthe--er--misfortune to be waylaid on their journey here."
Sir Anthony's glass was again levelled at the group. His expressionbetokened mild surprise.
"_All_ these gentlemen?" he inquired blandly. "Dear, dear!"
"Oh, no, no, no, sir! Not all--Only Mr.--er--"
"Fudby," said that worthy, and discovered that Sir Anthony was bowingfrigidly. At once he rose, and resting his knuckles on the table beforehim, bent his body slowly and painfully. Sir Anthony inclined his head.Whereupon, to the delight of all the rest, Mr. Fudby bowed again witheven greater stateliness than before. Mr. Hedges observed Sir Anthony'slips to twitch convulsively. He waited for Mr. Fudby to subside, andthen continued:
"Yes--Mr. Fudby and Mr.--"
"My clerk!" snapped Fudby.
Sir Anthony favoured Mr. Chilter with his peculiarly sweet smile, andturned again to Mr. Hedges.
"I see. A _daylight_ robbery, you say?"
"Broad daylight!" boomed Mr. Fudby.