"Duke," he whispered, "there's a man in that room we've just passed."
"A man, Noel? Nonsense!"
"But there is. I saw him through the chink of the door."
Duke was for going back to see, but Noel in terror pushed him into the next room and implored him not to go. The nest moment they heard a heavy step cross the hall and a door closed with a bang.
Duke ran to the window and looked out. He caught sight of a man disappearing in the mist.
"He's gone, whoever he was," he said, "What was there to be so frightened about?"
"Was it one of the workmen?" asked Noel, feeling ashamed.
"I don't know. He didn't look much like one. He had on a rough sort of coat like sailors wear."
Duke went across the hall to examine the door. It opened easily. They stood for a moment looking forth on the wet turf and driving rain.
"He shan't come in again this way," said Duke, as he shut the door and pushed the rusty bolts into their sockets; there was no key. Then they dismissed the man from their minds, and went back to Mr. Alan's room.