Part 56 (2/2)
”The very place, my boy; and now the secret is out. Lie still now, and don't speak.”
Fred gazed at his father eagerly as he rose from his knees and crossed to the door, which he opened, pa.s.sed out on to the landing, called for the host, and returned.
Instead of the florid landlord, there was a heavy step on the stairs, and the shock-headed boy of the place entered the room to look from Fred to Colonel Forrester and back.
”Where does the nearest doctor live?” said the colonel, quietly.
”At Brownsand,” replied the lad, with another sympathetic glance at the wounded officer.
”Rather a long ride?”
”Only twelve miles, sir.”
”But that's where a body of the king's men lie, is it not?”
”Well, no, sir, I don't think so now. Those is them that you had to fight with. They were at Brownsand t'other day.”
”You have a horse here, have you not?”
”No, sir, only a pony; and if I took the short cut it would not be a long journey.”
”But could the pony do the journey to-day?”
”Do it to-day, sir? Yes; she's as hard as a stag.”
”That will do for the present,” said Colonel Forrester.
”Shall I ride over for the doctor, sir?”
”No. Send up your master.”
The lad went down quite sulkily, and delivered his message, while Colonel Forrester smiled at his son.
”Well, Fred,” he said, ”I suppose you see now?”
Fred's answer was cut short off by the heavy step of the landlord, who came up with a sympathising look in his face, and seemed eager to serve.
”The young gentleman's not worse, sir, I hope.”
”You are sorry for him, then?” said the colonel, quietly.
”Sorry for him, sir? Why of course I am.”
”As sorry as you were for the young prisoner he brought by here.”
”Oh yes, sir, I was sorry for him, too; but he was not wounded.”
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