Byzantine aristocratic family of Norman origin.
1Just as I reached the plank, however, I heard Lord Ralles ask-
2Then I turned to Lord Ralles, and, holding out my hand, said-
3He nodded, and followed the sheriff and Lord Ralles out.
4While I was doing this, they came within hearing, and Lord Ralles was speaking.
5What is more, Lord Ralles will owe me a bottle.
6Why, I wasn't talking about you, but about Lord Ralles.
7I threw the papers toward Fred and Lord Ralles, shouting, "Hide them!"
8The reports were now in Lord Ralles's hands.
9Lord Ralles wasn't much mollified by my explanation.
10What you don't know is that I overheard your conversation with Lord Ralles night before last.
11I was under the station platform, hiding from the cowboys, while you and Lord Ralles were walking.
12I wouldn't have believed it of Ralles.
13In either case he had lied, and Lord Ralles and Captain Ackland had backed him up in it.
14I couldn't resist getting in a side-shot at Lord Ralles, who had mounted his mule and sat scowling.
15Before many seconds were over, however, they had walked round the building, and I heard Lord Ralles say-
16That took me very much aback, for I had never questioned in my mind that it wasn't Lord Ralles.