Then Dick went on beside the wheelwright, while the squire walked swiftly ahead, evidently thinking deeply.
There was a meaning in that grip of the hand which Hickathrift did not understand; but he kept on talking cheerily to the lad till they were close up to the Toft, when, just as the squire turned in and stopped for Dick to join him, the wheelwright shook hands with the lad.
"Good day, Mester Dick!" he said aloud; and then in a whisper: "Don't you go away, lad, for if you do they'll be sure to say it was yow as fired the shot.".