John Buchan

“ The charge against Johnson proved to be much flimsier, and was derided by the girl. "I insist that you straightly discharge my Mr. Samuel," she cried. "I will go bail for his good behaviour, and to-morrow a servant shall take him back to Chastlecote. He is too innocent to be left alone. The other——"
"He says he is an agent of the Duke of Queensberry," said the relentless mummer. "I can prove him to be a liar."
The girl was apparently not listening. Her eyes had caught Alastair's and some intelligence seemed to pass from them to his. ”

“ When he spoke it was with the careful enunciation of one who is not in a condition to take liberties with the English tongue.
"Makin' so bold, your honour," said the constable, "them 'ere's the prisoners as is named in your honour's worshipful warrant."
His honour nodded. "What the devil do you want me to do, Perks?" he asked.
The mummer with the broken head, who had become mysteriously one of the party, answered.
"Lock 'em up for to-night, Squire Thicknesse, and to-morrow send 'em to Birmingham with a mounted escort. It's political business, and no matter of poaching or petty thieving." ”

“ The more the young man looked at the weak heavy-lidded eyes and the massive face, the more he fell under their spell. The appearance was like a Moorish palace—outside, a bleak wall which had yet a promise of a treasure-house within. ”

“ Alastair realised that he was mistaken for Mr. Nicholas Kyd, now posting south; and, since the two were on the same business, he felt justified in acting as Mr. Kyd's deputy. He pocketed the package and gave the messenger a shilling. At that moment Mr. Johnson came out of his reverie. His brow was clouded.
"At my lord Cornbury's house there was a tall man with a florid face. He treated me with little politeness and laughed out of season. He had a servant, too, a rough Scot who attended to my horse. I have seen that servant in these parts."
Alastair woke to a lively interest. ”

“ My orders is to carry 'ee to the Manor and lock 'ee up there till such time as 'ee can be sent to Brumming'am."
"Arrant nonsense," cried Johnson. "I'm a better subject of His Majesty than any rascal among you, and so, I doubt not, is my friend. Yet so great is our veneration for the laws of England, that we will obey this preposterous summons. Take me to your Squire, but be warned, every jack of you, that if a man lays his hand on me I will fell him to the earth."
"And I say likewise," said Alastair, laying a significant hand on his sword. ”