“As you are staying at Helmscote you have no doubt heard of Dick's imprudence?” I went on, boldly.
“I have,” he replied, shortly. “Have you come to see Sir Philip about that?”
“Yes,” I said. “I have travelled down with Miss Shafthead this morning; she left me here for a short time while she went in to see her parents, and while waiting I had the indiscretion to mount this wall, in order to obtain a better view of the beautiful old house. It is the finest mansion I have seen in England. No wonder, sir, that Dick is so attached to his home!”
“Yet, as you are aware, he has run away from it,” said the baronet, dryly.
“Ah,” I said, “you have doubtless heard the father's view of his escapade. Will you let me tell you the son's, while I am waiting?”
“Had you not better keep this for Sir Philip—that is, if he consents to hear you?”
“No,” I said, eagerly. “I have no secrets to tell, and if I can persuade you that Dick has some excuse for his conduct, perhaps you, too, might say a word to Sir Philip in his favor.”
“It is unlikely,” said the baronet; “but go on.”
At that moment I spied Daisy entering the garden, though fortunately her father's back was towards her. Swiftly I made a signal for her to go away, and after an instant's astonished pause she turned and slipped quietly out again. I had been given a better chance than I had dared to hope for.