At any rate his reply was a brief "No," and we continued our walk.
As we reached the Shore Lane he paused again, and I thought he was about to speak.

He did not, however, and we crossed the boundary line of my property and entered the Colton grounds.

As we drew nearer to the house I was surprised to see how large it was.

When the Atwaters owned it I was an occasional caller there, for old Major Atwater was fond of shooting and sometimes borrowed my decoys.

But, since it changed hands, I had not been nearer to it than the Lane.