Both Mr. Lawrence and the lieutenant bowed.
“I have a few matters of importance to discuss with you, Mr. Lawrence,” said the lieutenant.
“Pray, be seated,” said the master of the lodge, in a courteous tone. “After breakfast I shall be most happy to talk to you.”
There was nothing in his tone to indicate that he felt any uneasiness over the visit of the revenue men. On the contrary, he appeared to be in particularly jovial spirits, for he fell to laughing and chatting gaily.
Lieutenant Winters and the boys, not to be outdone entered into the spirit of the occasion, and the meal passed off pleasantly, Hoki serving in his best style and earning many golden opinions from his master and the others for his fine cooking.
The meal over, the entire party adjourned to the spacious living-room of the lodge, where, after offering the officer and his men some of the best of his cigars, Mr. Lawrence said:
“Lieutenant Winters, I should be blind, indeed, did I not divine your purpose in visiting Winnsocket Lodge.”
“I have no desire, sir, to keep my purpose a secret.”
“Well, before we settle the matter that lies between us, let me ask you if you have heard of Stanwood Gray?”
“Many times,” returned the officer, rather surprised at the question. “I doubt if there is a man in the United States revenue or secret service who has not heard of him, though I dare say few have seen him.”