"Is that the way to--"
"Hedges!"
Hedges was struck with consternation at the call, for it was that of his
new master. He had not bargained for this; supposing that he had gone to
his room for the night. However he might have been foolishly won over to
accede to the man's strange request, it was not to be supposed it would
be approved of by Lord Hartledon. The butler hesitated. He did not care
to betray Pike, neither did he care to leave Pike alone.
"Hedges!" came the call again, louder and quicker.
"Yes, sir--my lord?" and Hedges squeezed out at the door without opening
it much--which was rather a difficulty, for he was a portly man, with a
red, honest sort of face--leaving Pike and the light inside. Lord
Hartledon--as we must unfortunately call him now--was standing in the
hall.
"Has Dr. Ashton gone?"
"Yes, my lord."
"Did he leave that address?"
Hedges knew to what his master alluded: an address that was wanted in
connection with certain official proceedings that must now take place.
Hedges replied that Dr. Ashton had not left it with him.
"Then he must have forgotten it. He said he would write it down in
pencil. Send over to the Rectory the first thing in the morning. And,
Hedges--"
At this moment a slight noise was heard within the room like the sound of
an extinguisher falling; as, in fact, it was. Lord Hartledon turned
towards it.
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