The cottage stands with its back to the river, the mill, now idle and unused, is built alongside. Once on a day this same mill was a busy enough place, now it is falling to decay for lack of use, and no sign or sound either there or at the cottage testify to the whereabouts of the lonely inhabitant. An enormous brindled cat is mewing upon the doorstep, a couple of gaunt hens and a bedraggled cock are pacing the deserted gardens, while from a lean-to outhouse comes the unmistakable grunt of a pig. Dick heaves a sigh of relief.
“He’s not at home,” he mutters. “I’m just as glad, for your pa would have been mighty angry with me. Somewhere not far off he’ll be, I reckon, and up to no good. Come along, Miss Ruby; we’d better be getting home, or the mistress’ll be wondering what’s come over you.”
They are riding homewards by the river’s bank, when they come upon a curious figure. An old, old man, bent almost double under his load of faggots, his red handkerchief tied three cornered-wise beneath his chin to protect his ancient head from the blazing sun. The face which looks out at them from beneath this strange head-gear is yellow and wizened, and the once keen blue eyes are dim and bleared, yet withal there is a sort of low cunning about the whole countenance which sends a sudden shiver to Ruby’s heart, and prompts Dick to touch up both ponies with that convenient switch of his so smartly as to cause even lethargic Smuttie to break into a canter.
“Who is he?” Ruby asks in a half-frightened whisper as they slacken pace again. She looks over her shoulder as she asks the question.
The old man is standing just as they left him, gazing after them through a flood of golden light. Dick looks too.
“He’s an old wicked one!” he mutters. “That’s him, Miss Ruby, him as we were speaking about, old Davis, as stole your pa’s sheep. Your pa would have had him put in prison, but that he was such an old one. He’s a bad lot though, so he is.”
“He’s got a horrid face. I don’t like his face one bit,” says Ruby. Her own face is very white as she speaks, and her brown eyes ablaze. “I wish we hadn’t seen him,” shivers the little girl, as they set their faces homewards.
