The Captain’s Papers

           WerodehardallthewaytillwedrewupbeforeDr.Livesey’sdoor.Thehousewasalldarktothefront.

           Mr.Dancetoldmetojumpdownandknock,andDoggergavemeastirruptodescendby.Thedoorwasopenedalmostatoncebythemaid.

           "IsDr.Liveseyin?"Iasked.

           No,shesaid,hehadcomehomeintheafternoonbuthadgoneuptothehalltodineandpasstheeveningwiththesquire.

           "Sotherewego,boys,"saidMr.Dance.

           Thistime,asthedistancewasshort,Ididnotmount,butranwithDogger’sstirrup-leathertothelodgegatesandupthelong,leafless,moonlitavenuetowherethewhitelineofthehallbuildingslookedoneitherhandongreatoldgardens.HereMr.Dancedismounted,andtakingmealongwithhim,wasadmittedatawordintothehouse.

           Theservantledusdownamattedpassageandshowedusattheendintoagreatlibrary,alllinedwithbookcasesandbustsuponthetopofthem,wherethesquireandDr.Liveseysat,pipeinhand,oneithersideofabrightfire.

           Ihadneverseenthesquiresonearathand.Hewasatallman,oversixfeethigh,andbroadinproportion,andhehadabluff,rough-and-readyface,allroughenedandreddenedandlinedinhislongtravels.Hiseyebrowswereveryblack,andmovedreadily,andthisgavehimalookofsometemper,notbad,youwouldsay,butquickandhigh.

           "Comein,Mr.Dance,"sayshe,verystatelyandcondescending.

           "Goodevening,Dance,"saysthedoctorwithanod."Andgoodeveningtoyou,friendJim.Whatgoodwindbringsyouhere?"