"At seven, as I directed you, when I first arrived," replied Randolph, and followed the servant from the drawing-room.
Mr. Hicks led the way, down the broad staircase, to the spacious hall on the lower floor, which was now illuminated by a large globe lamp.
"Pardon me, Mr. Royalton," said Mr. Hicks, "for troubling you about the dinner hour. That, if you will excuse me for saying so, was only a pretext. Your Agent, who arrived before you, to-day, and engaged myself and the other domestics, gave me especial directions, to prepare dinner to-night, at seven precisely. It was not about the hour of dinner, therefore, that I wished to see you, for we all know our duty, and you may rely upon it, that all the appointments of this mansion, are in good hands."
"Right, Mr. Hicks, right, may I ask whether my Agent, who was here to-day, wore an odd dress which he sometimes wears, a,—a—"
"A blue surtout, with a great many capes? Yes, sir. The fashion in the south, I presume."
"It was then my unknown friend of the half-way-house," thought Randolph: presently, he said, "Why did you call me from the drawing-room?"
Mr. Hicks bowed his formal bow, and pointed to a door of dark mahogany:
"If you will have the kindness to enter that room, you will know why I called you."
And Mr. Hicks bowed again, and retreated slowly from the scene.
Placing his hand upon the door, Randolph felt his heart beat tumultuously against his breast.