CHAPTER VIII.
[FATHER AND SON.]
Ray rose to his feet and bent forward.
"I did not know you expected any visitor," said he in a tone of strong irritation.
"I do not expect any visitor. I never have any visitor but you," said Bramwell, looking round him in perplexity, as though in search of an explanation of the sound. He was beginning to think that his ears must have deceived him, and that the knock had not been at the door. "Did you," he asked, "draw back the stage when you got here?"
"Yes, but I did not fasten it. Any one on the tow-path might have pulled it across again. I hope no one has been eavesdropping."
"Eavesdropping! No. Who would care to eavesdrop at my door?"
"HE!"
"Philip, you are mad? If you trifle with your reason in this way you will hurt it permanently. I do not believe there was any knock at all. It may have been a stone thrown by some boy from the tow-path."
"Well, open the door and see. There can be no harm in doing that."