Page:Doctor Syn - A Smuggler Tale of the Romney Marsh.djvu/98

 for me on the surface, and, not being a strategist, I don't like it."

The squire was on edge with irritation.

"I am sure, sir," he said sarcastically, "that had the Almighty been notified of your objection during the process of the creation he would have extended Dover Cliffs round Dungeness." The captain didn't seem to notice the interruption.

"Next, I don't like the people here, leaving Doctor Syn out of it—for he's a parson and I never could make head or tail of parsons. I say that, from the squire down, you're none of you swimming the surface. Sir Antony Cobtree went to great pains to lavishly entertain me yesterday, in order that he might politely imprison me last night. I enjoy good entertainment and the conversation of witty, clever men, but not at the price of a locked door."

"I don't know what you are talking about!" said the squire, livid with rage.

"Don't you, sir?" retorted Captain Collyer. "Well, I do, as I had to risk breaking my neck when I climbed down the ivy from your top window."

"You had only to tell me of your eccentric habits," said the squire, "and I would have set a ladder against your window in case the door stuck."

"The door was locked, and well youryou [sic] know it, sir," cried the captain, suddenly turning on the squire, "for half an hour after I had climbed back through the