Would the two parties meet to-day, and if so, what then?
The only possible theory of the situation, as it presented itself to the minister’s mind, was this, upon which he finally settled—that the Mr. and Mrs. Randolph Hay who had arrived on the preceding evening and were now at the Hall were the real lord and lady of the manor, and that the so-called Mr. and Mrs. Randolph Hay who were expected to arrive to-day were the fraudulent claimants whom he had taken them to be.
He had not breathed a syllable of the first arrival to the bailiff, preferring to keep the matter to himself until he should see Samson Longman, who had walked over that morning to Haymore Hall, but would return to the rectory by midday.
But the backwoodsman came in a little sooner than he had been expected. He came at once to the study door and rapped.
Mr. Campbell bade him enter.
Longman’s face was radiant with merriment, and in his hand he carried a letter, which he fondled playfully.
“Well, Longman, you have been to see your friends at the Hall?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Please sit down and tell me all about it.”
Longman settled himself in the largest leather chair, put his fur cap down on the floor beside him and fondled his letter.