There was no one at home when Harry returned except Todd, who, having kept his position outside the dining-room door during the heated encounter, had missed nothing of the interview.

What had puzzled the darky--astounded him really--was that no pistol-shot had followed his master's denouncement and defiance of the Lord of Moorlands.

What had puzzled him still more was hearing these same antagonists ten minutes later passing the time o' day, St.George bowing low and the colonel touching his hat as he passed out and down to where Matthew and his horses were waiting.
It was not surprising, therefore, that Todd's recital to Harry came in a more or less disjointed and disconnected form.
"You say, Todd," he exclaimed in astonishment, "that my father was here!" Our young hero was convinced that the visit did not concern himself, as he was no longer an object of interest to any one at home except his mother and Alec.
"Dat he was, sah, an' b'ilin' mad.

Dey bofe was, on'y Marse George lay low an' de colonel purty nigh rid ober de top ob de fence.

Fust Marse George sass him an' den de colonel sass him back.