The children seemed relieved at this, but still they wondered who had rung the doorbell. Mary, the maid, had gone to see who was calling, and after Patter had marched around like a soldier dog, Mary came back in the dining room to say:
“There’s a man out in the hall who wants to see you, Mr. Brown.”
“What’s his name?” asked the children’s father.
“He wouldn’t say. Called himself a stranger,” said Mary. “He said he wouldn’t keep you but a minute.”
Again Bunny and Sue looked worriedly at each other. In spite of what Daddy Brown said, this might, after all, be the Frenchman coming back after his trick dog. Certainly Patter was a dog that any one would want, he was so cute and wise.
“A stranger?” said Mr. Brown, and he seemed very thoughtful. “I can’t imagine who it can be. But I’ll see him.”
“Oh, I wonder——” began Mrs. Brown, and then she stopped. She was thinking perhaps it might be the old man who, earlier in the evening, had stopped to inquire about a Mr. Denton who was in the circus business. And, as it happened, while it was not this old man again, the stranger’s visit was about him.
Mr. Brown went out into the hall, and as he left the door open Bunny, Sue and their mother could hear what was said.
“You wanted to see me?” said Mr. Brown, as he looked at the caller who, indeed, was a stranger to him.
“Yes,” was the answer. “My name is Merton. A little while ago I saw an old man come out of your house here as I was waiting for a friend on the street. Do you know who this old man is?”