The Bartons were at home, as a matter of course, there being nothing and nobody to attract them out in such a place after dark.
The elder Barton was engaged reading the immortal allegory of John Bunyan, with which he seemed deeply interested; Charles was quite as much interested, studying a report of some late doings in the Klondyke.
Ranger's entry was a great surprise to both men. They had never before known him to pay a visit, and at such an hour; it was therefore with unfeigned concern they inquired if anything was the matter.
Avoiding a direct answer to the question, he told them, as he seated himself, "I wanted to have a talk with Charles, and I thought we could get on better now than out in the fields by day."
"Your appearance took us so by surprise," replied John, "that——"
"Oh yes, I quite understand," said Ranger. "Well, to shorten matters as much as possible, I have come to ask Charles what made him write that letter to England about Fellows, which he did some weeks ago?"
"What letter?" he asked, turning a fierce look upon the farmer.
"You know the letter I mean well enough."
"No, I don't," he replied, as his eyes fell beneath the steady gaze of Ranger.
"Do you mean to say you did not write to the firm of Quinion, at Broadstone in England, telling them that Fellows was here if they wanted him?"