“What are you doing here, sir? Is Dick there?”
“Yes, father.”
“What’s the meaning of this, sir?”
“We saw a flash, father, and heard a report!”
“Where?” cried Mr Marston.
“I think it must have been close to the outfall of the big drain, father.”
“There! you hear,” said Mr Marston in a low voice. “There is something wrong!”
“Stop a moment,” said the squire sternly. “You, Tom Tallington, why are you there?”
“Tell him, Tom,” said Dick in a low voice.
“Speak out, sir,” cried the squire. “What are you whispering there, Dick?”