Granfer reflected in silence for a moment, then he replied,—
"Well, I should say it was probable. The east cliff was in a line with the Manor House, and nearer than any other part of the coast would be. Are you still hoping to find the secret passage, young gentleman?"
"Oh, yes! I daresay if it had not been for my cousin Lionel's accident we should have found it long ago! I've looked for it by myself, often; and now my cousin Ruth is going to help me. She only a girl, but she's a very nice sort of girl, with plenty of pluck."
Granfer nodded his head, and chuckled with amusement. Dick proceeded:—
"She can play cricket, and run nearly as fast as Lionel could before his accident, and climb like a cat, and shy stones—yes, I do believe better than I can; and I think she's about as brave as a girl can be. Why, only just now, she was kicked off a donkey's back into a bramble-bush, and she never even cried, although her face was badly scratched."
"What donkey was it?" Granfer enquired in his inquisitive fashion.
"A donkey belonging to an old woman who sells scrubbing-sand. It is in a field not far from the lodge of the Manor House."
"Ah, you mean a meadow adjoining the cliffs. I know the field, and I know the donkey, and I know its owner!"
Dick laughed, for Granfer's tone was quite triumphant. The old man prided himself on his knowledge of the district, and of every one living in the neighbourhood for miles around.
"You must be very tired," the little boy said kindly, as he noted the other's feeble steps, and how heavily he leaned upon his stout stick for support; "it's a pity your way home is all up hill!"