The Rajah's Fortress — page 123: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

114 THE RAJAH’S FORTRESS. “ Right nice place isn’t it?” said Bolton. *“ But let me introduce you to my assistant. Mr. Forbes, this is Michael McGore.” Melton turned round more bewildered than ever, and shook hands warmly with a big red-faced Irish. man, the man who had swung the bridge across for them. He was a large, powerful fellow, with a very genial cast of countenance, and he plainly showed his pleasure at meeting Melton, by the broad smile that lit up his features as he said: “ Mr. Forbes, I’m deloighted to welcome you to Castle Bolton.” ‘“ Now then, Mike,” put in Bolton, “ how about supper? I have no doubt Mr. Forbes is about starved.” “It’s all ready an’ waiting, sorr. I just put on a third plate.” “This way, Forbes,” said Bolton, and following his host, Melton was ushered into a second apart- ment divided from the first by a heavy curtain. The walls were of planed boards, and in the corner stood a square table covered with a white cloth. Its contents were a revelation to Melton. The center was occupied by a great haunch of venison, a steaming coffee pot emitted a rich, fra. grant odor, and beside it was actually a plate of hot biscuit, while the extra space was filled in with cishes of tempting fruits. “ This is my dining-room,” explained Mr. Bolton during the progress of the meal, “and beyond the COLUM 1OOO SS co