The old man looked disgusted and mortified.
"Go away!" he said querulously.
"Who is there with you?"
"No one."
"It's a lie!" said Oliver, in a loud voice. "I am a boy who has been lured in here by this old man, who wants to murder me."
"Open the door at once, father," said the voice outside sternly.
The old man was apparently overawed and afraid to refuse. He advanced sullenly and turned the key. The door was at once opened from outside.
A man in middle life entered. He took in the situation at a glance.
"You are at your tricks again, sir," he said sternly to the old man. "Put down that knife."
The old man obeyed.