"Some people would fancy so," said his companion, "Lily will have a good deal of money, by and by, and she is very young. Atterly has nothing but an unprofitable farm; but he is an honest lad, and I know she is very fond of him."
"And would that count against the dollars?"
Maud Barrington laughed a little. "Yes," she said quietly. "I think it would if the girl is wise. Even now such things do happen, but I fancy it is time I went back again."
She moved away, but Winston stayed where he was until the lad came in with a cigar in his hand.
"Hallo, Courthorne!" he said. "Did you notice anybody pass the window a little while ago?"
"You are the first to come in through it," said Winston dryly. "The kind of things you wear admit of climbing."
The lad glanced at him with a trace of embarrassment.
"I don't quite understand you, but I meant a man," he said. "He was walking curiously, as if he was half-asleep, but he slipped round the corner of the building and I lost him."
Winston laughed. "There's a want of finish in the tale, but you needn't worry about me. I didn't see a man."
"There is rather less wisdom than usual in your remarks to-night, but I tell you I saw him," said the lad.