Squire Paget moved toward the door, and opened it for Dan Pickley, his visitor.
"Good-night, Pickley," he said.
"Good-night, squire," was the reply, and then Pickley moved down the steps.
The squire watched him go out of the gate, and then closed the front door once more.
"How long have you been waiting?" he asked, rather abruptly.
"Only a minute or two, sir."
"No longer than that?" and the squire bent his searching eyes full upon Ralph's honest features.
"No, sir, Mrs. Hanson just let me in."
Squire Paget seemed relieved to hear this. His conversation with Dan Pickley had been both important and private, and he was afraid Ralph might have overheard more than he wished to become public.
"So you wish to see Percy?" he went on, after a short pause. "Is there anything special?"