The two then seated themselves in the shade of the sumach, and the man with the black straw hat told Mr. Godfrey Berkeley the story of the troubles at Hyson Hall as he had had it from Chap Webster; he also related the startling events which had since occurred.
These accounts greatly excited Mr. Berkeley. He frequently interrupted Mr. Muller with exclamations of astonishment, and when all was told, he sprang to his feet and exclaimed,—
“I must leave here instantly!”
“You need to be in no particular hurry,” said Mr. Muller. “Everything is all settled now.”
“Nevertheless, I must return immediately,” said Mr. Berkeley, “and if you will wait a few minutes I will walk back with you.”
So saying, Mr. Berkeley picked up his book and hurried to a group of large trees, which stood some distance back from the lonely sumach.
Mr. Muller followed him, and was much surprised to see him approach a neat little log hut, which was quite concealed from the open ground by a clump of bushes.
Mr. Berkeley entered, and the other looked in at the door. There was a low bed on one side of the cabin. On a small table and a shelf were a number of books, in leather bindings, and a valise stood in the corner. Outside, by the door, were a few cooking utensils.
“Do you live here, sir?” asked Mr. Muller.
“Yes,” said Mr. Godfrey, who was busily putting a few things into his valise, “I have lived in this cabin for several weeks, and I expected to spend the rest of the summer here. I suppose you want to know why I have been leading this hermit life?”