The Black Moth Read Online Free PDF Page A

again with even greater stateliness than before. Mr. Hedges observed Sir Anthony's lips to twitch convulsively. He waited for Mr. Fudby to subside, and then continued:
    "Yes–Mr. Fudby and Mr.—"
    "My clerk!" snapped Fudby.
    Sir Anthony favoured Mr. Chilter with his peculiarly sweet smile, and turned again to Mr. Hedges.
    "I see. A daylight robbery, you say?"
    "Broad daylight!" boomed Mr. Fudby.
    "Er–yes, yes," interposed the mayor, fearing a fresh outbreak from that quarter. "I wonder if you have seen anything of such an animal as Mr.–er–Chilter–described?"
    "'Tis a most extraordinary thing," said Carstares slowly, "but I have just bought such an one." He glanced round with an inquiring smile and one eyebrow lifted.
    "Well!" ejaculated Mr. Fudby. "Well!"
    "Dear me, sir, what a strange coincidence! May I ask where you bought it, and from whom?"
    "She has not been in my possession over two hours. I bought her from an out-at-elbows ruffian, on my way hither. I thought at one time that 'twas strange that the man should possess such a mare–pure bred, I vow–and wondered why he was so eager to be rid of her."
    "He was eager because he knew he would be recognised by her," explained Mr. Fudby kindly.
    "Without doubt. Perhaps you would like to see her? I will send my man—"
    "Oh no, no!" cried the mayor. "We would not dream of so inconveniencing you—"
    "'Twere a pleasure," bowed Jack, devoutly hoping that Mr. Fudby would not require to see Jenny, who, he felt sure, would betray him by her very evident affection.
    "No, no, Sir Anthony, 'tis quite unnecessary, I assure you, but I thank you for all that. Mr. Fudby, if you would describe the man himself, I will see to the proclamation."
    "Describe him, Chilter!" ordered Mr. Fudby, who was becoming rather grumpy.
    Mr. Chilter smiled suddenly.
    "Certainly, sir!" he said with alacrity. "'Twas a great ruffianly fellow, monstrous tall—"
    "How tall?" interrupted the town-clerk. "Six feet?"
    "Oh, quite!" lied Mr. Chilter. "And fat."
    Jack's shoulders shook.
    "Fat, you say?" he asked gently.
    "Very fat," affirmed Mr. Chilter. "And prodigious rough, swearing dreadfully in his speech."
    "You could not see his face, I suppose?"
    Mr. Chilter hesitated.
    "I could see his mouth and chin," he said, "and I remarked a long scar running from his under-lip to the–er–bottom of his face."
    Involuntarily Carstares' hand caressed his perfectly smooth chin. Either the little clerk was a born romancer, or for some reason or other he did not want the highwayman to be taken.
    "Well, Sir Anthony?" the mayor was saying. "Does that description fit your man?"
    My lord frowned thoughtfully.
    "Tall," he said slowly, "and fat–you said fat, I think, Mr. Chilter?"
    Rather anxiously Mr. Chilter reiterated this statement.
    "Ah! And with a long scar–yes, that is undoubtedly he. Furthermore," he added audaciously, "he has a squint in his left eye. 'Tis a most ill-favoured rogue in all."
    "It would appear so, Sir Anthony," remarked the mayor drily. He did not in the least believe the story of the squint, and imagined that the fine court gentleman was amusing himself at their expense. Nevertheless, he had no intention of remonstrating; the sooner he could withdraw from this very tiresome affair the better. So he gravely took down all the absurd particulars, remarked that the man should be easy to find, and made ready to depart.
    The town-clerk rose, and tapped the beadle on the shoulder, whereupon that worthy, with a grunt, abandoned his pose of masterly inactivity and followed the mayor out of the room.
    Mr. Fudby rose.
    "I doubt I shall never see my money again," he said pettishly. "If you, Chilter had not been so—"
    "Allow me to offer you some snuff, Mr. Chilter," interposed my lord gently, extending his jewelled box. "Doubtless, sir, you would wish to see my mare?"
    "I know nought of horses," snorted Mr. Fudby. "'Tis my clerk who appears to have remarked all the details." He sneered