"Why, as touching that, Alice, somehow or other,--for these women are
always looking to anybody's business but their own,--wormed out his
message in part, before I was aware of her drift."
"Alice!--Again has that viper crossed my path?--Bid the messenger
attend."
When Geoffery returned he was followed by a short, muscular-looking
personage, attired in a foreign garb. A military cloak, and slouched
hat, garnished with a broad band and feather, gave him altogether an air
of importance which his bare exterior had not sustained. On entering he
made a slight obeisance. Hildebrand watched his bearing, as if he would
have searched him to the heart's core. Not in the least disconcerted,
the soldier threw himself on a seat. Preliminaries were waived by this
unceremonious guest, who, speaking evidently in a foreign accent, began
the interrogatory as follows:--
"You were the private secretary of Sir Henry Fairfax?"
"I was," briefly replied Hildebrand.
"Know you this signet?"
"I do," again he sullenly answered.
"It was given into my keeping," said the stranger, "as a token whereby
Hildebrand Wentworth should, in the due exercise of his fealty and
trust, commit to my charge certain documents that shall immediately be
set forth.
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