Page:Doctor Syn - A Smuggler Tale of the Romney Marsh.djvu/51

 DOCTOR SYN TAKES COLD

OU can imagine that the coming of the King's men caused some stir in Dymchurch; for after leaving the Ship Inn they were marched round the village and drawn up in front of the Court House. Here they waited while the captain knocked upon the front door and asked for the squire.

"Sir Antony Cobtree is out riding," said the butler. But at that instant a clattering of hoofs was heard upon the highway and the squire himself came along at an easy trot and drew rein before the house. "My faith!" he cried, looking from the butler to the captain, and then at the line of naked cutlasses. "Have the French landed at last?"

"Captain Howard Collyer of the King's Admiralty, sir," said the captain, saluting, "and if you are the squire, very much at your service."

The jolly squire returned the salute, touching his hat with his riding whip. "Indeed, Captain?" he said, dismounting. "And I would prefer to be your friend than your foe so long as you have these sturdy fellows at your back. Is it the renewed activity of the French