Singular stories were
told all round the country, and even in Birmingham itself, of the
extraordinary luxury and the absolute disregard for money which marked
all these arrangements. No sum appeared to be too great to spend upon
the smallest detail which might do away with or lessen any of the petty
inconveniences of life. Waggons and waggons of the richest furniture
had passed through the village between lines of staring villagers.
Costly skins, glossy carpets, rich rugs, ivory, and ebony, and metal;
every glimpse into these storehouses of treasure had given rise to some
new legend. And finally, when all had been arranged, there had come a
staff of forty servants, who heralded the approach of the owner,
Mr. Raffles Haw himself.
It was no wonder, then, that it was with considerable curiosity that
Robert McIntyre looked down at the great house, and marked the smoking
chimneys, the curtained windows, and the other signs which showed that
its tenant had arrived. A vast area of greenhouses gleamed like a lake
on the further side, and beyond were the long lines of stables and
outhouses. Fifty horses had passed through Tamfield the week before, so
that, large as were the preparations, they were not more than would be
needed.
Pages:
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31