In the most prominent spot was located the mansion of Squire Paget, a Queen Anne structure, surrounded by a garden full of fancy shrubs and plants, which during her life had been Mrs. Paget's pride.
Passing through the gate, Ralph walked up the gravel path to the front piazza and rang the bell.
He had to wait a short time. Then a slow step was heard through the hallway, and the door was opened by Mrs. Hanson, the squire's housekeeper.
"Good-evening," said Ralph, politely. "Is Percy at home?"
"I don't really know," returned Mrs. Hanson. "Come in and I will find out."
She ushered Ralph into the hallway, and motioned him to a seat. Then she passed upstairs.
"I guess it will be all right, squire," Ralph heard a voice say in a nearby side room—the library. "And you are perfectly safe in making the deal."
"I trust so, Pickley," came the reply, in Squire Paget's well-known sharp tones. "It's worth the trouble, you know."
"Of course, I get pay for my trouble," went on Pickley, as he stepped to the doorway.
"I'll pay what I promised," returned the squire, and then both men stepped into the hallway.