“Possibly not,” replied the boy. “I have not been here a great while.”
An inquiring look came swiftly into the deeply-lined face of the man with the lantern. He bent forward eagerly.
“Perhaps,” said he, “you are from the north.”
“Yes,” replied Nat, calmly. “I am from the north.”
“WHO ARE YOU?” HE DEMANDED
“And you are going——?”
“To Chew House,” with great frankness.
“Good!” The old man burst into a cackle of laughter, reached out and patted the boy’s shoulder approvingly. “Excellent! But,” with an admonitory air, “it would be as well to mention no names.”
Nat had no reply for this, and so remained silent.