Dick Merriwell Abroad Part 15

"That is Robin 'Oods Tavern," said the driver.

"Glad of it!" exclaimed the professor. "It's getting cold since sunset.

Not quite as bad as it was in Scotland, but too cold for comfort while driving."

"Why, I allowed it was some hot up round Lochleven in Scotland,"

chuckled Buckhart. "We warmed things up one night. Eh, pard?"

"Rather," agreed d.i.c.k.

Amid the ma.s.sive oaks stood the little inn, with the light shining cheerfully from its windows. Soon they drew up before it, their journey ended for the night.

Outside the inn, with the horses unhitched and removed, stood the same closed carriage that had pa.s.sed them on the road.

A hostler came to take charge of their horses, and they entered the inn, being greeted by the landlord, a ruddy-cheeked man, named Swinton, who was smoking a rank-smelling pipe. The landlord welcomed them in a hearty, cheerful manner, bidding them come in by the fire and get warm.

"It's going to be a cold night, gentlemen," he said.

"Cold, indeed, sir," agreed the professor; "but your little house looks bright, and warm, and comfortable."

"So I think you will find it. You will stay to sup with me?"

"We hope you can give us accommodations overnight. Have you two rooms, one with a fire in it?"

"I have just what you want, I believe-two rooms with a door between, and a grate fire in one of them. You may be as comfortable as you please here."

By this time the professor had learned that it was always best to bargain in advance for accommodations in England, and this he proceeded to do, haggling in a good-natured way with the landlord, who at first asked an exorbitant price.

"We're not millionaires, my dear sir," said Zenas. "We're just plain, ordinary people, traveling through your beautiful country. The pennies count with us."

"You're from America, are you not?" asked the innkeeper, seeming greatly surprised at this confession.

"We are, but not all Americans have money to burn, even though the most of them who come abroad wish people to think so."

Finally the landlord agreed to a price a full third lower than he had originally named, after which, having ushered them into a room with an open coal fire, he went away to prepare their rooms for them.

A servant came and removed the wraps, saying they would be taken to the rooms upstairs. He also took charge of the big hand bag, which contained their nightdresses and such toilet articles as they always carried with them.

After a time the porter came and announced that their rooms were ready for them. At the foot of the stairs a maid with a lighted candle waited to escort them. She was a buxom, red-cheeked country girl.

"Be careful hof of the stairs, sir; they're very steep sir," she said to Zenas, giving him a smile that made him brace up wonderfully. "Hi 'ave to climb them hoften henough to know."

"Er-hum!" coughed the old fellow. "They say climbing stairs is fine exercise-great for the complexion. But you don't need anything to improve your complexion, my dear-it couldn't be improved."

"'Ow kind you hare, sir!" she said, with a smothered laugh.

d.i.c.k was behind Brad, and he gave the Texan a pinch that caused him to utter a whoop.

"Ow, goodness!" cried the girl, in alarm.

"Don't be frightened, my dear-don't be frightened!" said Zenas quickly.

"It's only the boys."

"Hit gave me 'art a hawful jump," said the girl. "One gets frightened terrible in this 'ouse."

"Get frightened here? Why?"

"'Avent you 'eard, sir?"

"About what?"

"This place is 'aunted, you know."

"Eh? Hey? Haunted, did you say?"

"Yes, sir; they do say it's the spirit of Robin 'Ood hisself that come 'ere, sir."

"This is interesting-decidedly so!" said Zenas. "A haunted inn in the heart of Sherwood Forest! Why, I should think it would drive away custom if such a report got out."

"Hinstead of that, hit brings people 'ere to see the place, sir. They seem to take great hinterest in 'aunted 'ouses."

She flung open the door of a room.

"'Ere is your rooms, sirs," she said. "The fire is warm, and Hi 'ope you will be very comfortable. Is there hany thing I can bring you?"

They entered the first room, in which the fire was burning. It was fairly large and comfortable, with a big English bed, surrounded by curtains.

"Wait a minute, my dear," urged the professor. Then turning to the boys, he said:

"Here, you youngsters, take that candle on the mantel and inspect your room. The door is open, I see."

d.i.c.k gave Brad a wink and picked up the candle, starting for the adjoining room. The maid had entered the first room and was waiting, candle in hand.

"You may go with Richard, Bradley," said Zenas, seeing that Buckhart lingered behind.

"All right," nodded the Texas youth.

As he stepped past the girl he gave a puff that extinguished the candle in her hand. Then he swiftly strode into the adjoining room, closing the door behind him.

Immediately the old professor began to call loudly for d.i.c.k and Brad to return.

"Come back here, you young rascals!" he shouted. "What are you up to, you scoundrels? Bring that candle instantly! How dare you do such a thing-how dare you!"

"I'm so frightened!" fluttered the girl, catching hold of Zenas. "'Ave you a match, sir? We might light the candle, sir."

d.i.c.k opened the door and peered back into the room, discovering the girl clinging to the professor.

"Here! here!" he cried reprovingly. "What are you doing, Professor Gunn?

You're a married man. I didn't think it of you! I didn't think you would blow out the young lady's candle and attempt to kiss her in the dark.