They started back on seeing Ralph, as though they had imagined no one was around. The young bridge tender made up his mind they had not noted his ring.
"Why—ah—what brings you here, Nelson?" demanded the squire, as soon as he could recover.
"I called to see Percy, sir."
"I believe Percy is out."
Ralph's hope fell at this announcement.
"Can you tell me where I can find him, sir?" he asked.
"He is somewhere about the village, I presume. He said he would be back by nine o'clock or half-past."
Ralph glanced at the tall clock which stood at the end of the hall, and saw that it lacked but ten minutes of nine. Percy might be in in a few minutes.
"If you please, I will wait for him," he said, politely.