Page:Tomlinson--The rider of the black horse.djvu/342

326 "No, I was the only man."

"What made them do it?" said Robert slowly.

"They fancied that I said something against the colonies."

"Did you?"

"Not much. I said that they would he beaten. And I hope they will!"

"And they gave you this coat of tar and feathers?"

"There's more molasses than tar."

"Then all I can say is that they 've wasted the tar and molasses and feathers, too."

"Oh! they 'll be paid for 'em every farthing's worth. That Hannah Nott"— "Who?" interrupted Robert sharply.

"That hussy, Hannah Nott. She"—

"Did she have a part in this?"

Robert spoke quietly and his voice trembled slightly as he spoke, but his eagerness he could not conceal.