“Is that door locked?” she inquired.
“Fast,” replied Mr. Force.
“Could anybody hear us if they was to listen at the keyhole?”
“No one about the house would be guilty of such an impropriety.”
“I don’t know that.”
Mr. Force got up, took an overcoat from a hook on the wall and hung it against the door.
“Now, then!” he said, resuming his seat.
“Now, then!” said Miss Sibby, fumbling in her pocket, producing a neatly folded, white paper, and handing it to the squire. “Now, then, what do you think of that for a bloody-minded young wilyun? Oh, I tell yer, boys is the devil!”
Mr. Force unfolded and read the paper, staring at it in dismay.
“How came you by this?” he inquired.