the rose bushes and other shrubbery to the side of the house beneath
the window of Dolly's room.

Wondering, and suspecting he knew not what, Mostyn crept to the fence,
and, half-hidden behind an apple tree, he stood watching. The figure
of the man was quite distinct against the white wall of the building,
and yet it was impossible to make out who he was. Then a surprising
thing happened. Mostyn saw the figure raise its hands to its lips, and
a low whistle was emitted. There was a pause. Then the window of
Dolly's room was cautiously raised, and her head appeared as she
leaned over the sill.

"Is your father at home?" a muffled masculine voice was heard
inquiring.

"No, he's been gone all day." It was plainly Dolly who was speaking.

The stares of the two seemed to meet. There was a pause. It was as if
the girl's head had furtively turned to look back into the room.

"Then come down. Meet me at the front gate. I'll keep hid."

"Very well--in a minute."

She was gone. Mostyn saw the man glide along the side of the house,
treading the grass softly and making his way round to the front gate.
Filled with suspicion and hot fury, Mostyn kept his place, afraid that
any movement on his part might too soon betray his presence to the man
he now saw near the gate.