Part 19 (1/2)
He took hold of one leg, and holding the bird down, pulled off one of its joints; then another; after which he placed the pair of legs thoughtfully on the plate.
”May as well give him a wing too,” he said; and seizing the one having the liver, he was in the act of tearing it off, when an exclamation behind made him start round and face the captain.
”My dear Tom!” exclaimed the latter. ”Why, my dear boy, didn't you speak, and so have ordered a supper-tray?”
”But you seem to be hungry too,” growled the admiral, pointing with the wing he had now torn-off at a plate and knife and fork his brother carried.
”Eh? yes,” said the captain, starting and looking conscious. ”I--er-- that is--”
”Why, Harry!” exclaimed Sir Thomas.
”Tom!” cried the captain. ”You don't mean that you have come down to--”
”Yes, I do,” cried the admiral, fiercely. ”Think I was going to bed after a good dinner to shut my eyes whilst that poor boy was half-starved?”
”But it is a punishment for him,” said the captain, sternly.
”Punishment be hanged, sir!” cried Sir Thomas. ”Harry, you are my brother, and I am only a guest here, but you are a humbug, sir.”
”What do you mean?”
”Mean that you've been bouncing about being strict, and the rest of it, and yet you brought that plate and knife to cut your boy some supper.”
”Well, er--I'm afraid I did, Tom.”
”I'm not afraid, but I'm very glad you're not such a hard-hearted scoundrel. Poor boy! he must be famished. Here, give me that knife.”
The captain handed the knife, but in doing so brushed his sleeve over the flame of the candle he carried, and extinguished it.
”How provoking!”
”Never mind,” said his brother; ”one must do.”
As he spoke, the admiral hacked a great piece off the breast of the pheasant, and added it to the legs and wing.
”There,” he said, ”that ought to keep him going till breakfast. Must have a bit o' salt, Harry. Hus.h.!.+”
He stooped down and blew out the remaining candle, as the captain caught his arm, and they stood listening.
For the creaking of a door had fallen upon their ears; and partly from involuntary action consequent upon the dread of being caught in so unusual a position, partly from the second thought to which he afterwards gave vent, the admiral sought refuge in the dark.
”Burglars, Harry,” he whispered. ”They're after your plate.”
”Hist! don't speak; we may catch them,” was whispered back, and the two old officers stood listening for what seemed an interminable length of time before they saw the dim reflection of a light; heard more whispering, and then the door leading into the larder pa.s.sage was softly opened.
”Coming into the trap,” thought the captain, as with his heart beating fast he prepared for the encounter which he foresaw must take place.
”Be ready,” he said, with his lips to his brother's ear.
”Right. They're going to board,” was whispered back.