Part 24 (1/2)
”Do you suspect anyt'ing, Ma.s.sah Rober?” was Pop's anxious question.
”I do and I don't. Something in the air seems to tell me that everything is not as it should be.”
”Dat Frenchman don't look like no angel, sah,” and Aleck shook his head doubtfully.
”You're right, Aleck, and his wife is a terror, or else I miss my guess.”
”Dat's right, Ma.s.sah Rober; nebber saw sech sharp eyes. Yes, I'll look out-fo' my own sake as well as fo' de sake ob Ye and de rest,” concluded Aleck.
CHAPTER XVII
THE ATTACK AT THE HOSTELRY
The night was exceptionally cool for that locality; and, utterly worn out by their tiresome journey, all of the Rovers slept more soundly than they had antic.i.p.ated.
But not for long. d.i.c.k had scarcely dropped off when he heard a noise at the doorway, which was covered with a rough gra.s.s curtain.
”Who is there?” he demanded, sitting up.
”Dat's all right,” came in a whisper from Aleck. ”Is dat yo', Ma.s.sah d.i.c.k?”
”Yes, Aleck. What brings you?”
”I dun discovered somet'ing, sah.”
”What?”
”Dat udder party dun come up an' is in de woods back ob dis, house.”
”In camp?”
”No; dare is a Frenchman wot is talkin' to dah chap wot runs dis shebang, sah.”
”Perhaps he wants accommodations,” mused d.i.c.k.
”Can't say about dat, sah. But de fellers who come up hab a lot ob ropes wid 'em.”
”That's certainly queer.”
”What's the row?” came sleepily from Tom, and presently Randolph Rover and Sam likewise awoke.
In a few words the colored man explained the situation. He had just finished when the wife of the proprietor of the resort came up to the doorway.
”The gentleman is wanted outside by my husband,” she said in broken French.
”What does he want?” asked Mr. Rover.
”I can't say. But he says please to step out for a moment.”