It would appear as if Joseph had taken
no means of awakening him, for Meredith awoke quite quietly to find
Joseph standing by his bed.
"Holloa!" exclaimed the master, fully awake at once, as townsmen
are.
Joseph stood at attention by the bedside.
"Woke you before yer time, sir," he said. "There's something wrong
among these 'ere darkie fellers, sir."
"Wrong! what do you mean?"
Meredith was already lacing his shoes.
"Not rebellion?" he said curtly, looking towards his firearms.
"No, sir, not that. It's some mortual sickness. I don't know what
it is. I've been up half the night with them. It's spreading,
too."
"Sickness! what does it seem like? Just give me that jacket. Not
that sleeping sickness?"
"No, sir. It's not that. Missis Marie was telling me about that--
awful scourge that, sir. No, the poor chaps are wide-awake enough.
Groanin', and off their heads too, mostly."
"Have you called Mr. Oscard?"
"No, sir."
"Call him and Mr. Durnovo."
"Met Mr. Durnovo, sir, goin' out as I came in."
In a few moments Jack joined Durnovo and Oscard, who were talking
together on the terrace in front of the house. Guy Oscard was still
in his pyjamas, which he had tucked into top-boots. He also wore a
sun-helmet, which added a finish to his costume.
Pages:
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139