VI
As Dane lay reading in his hammock the Wednesday afternoon of the following week his chained dogs set up a fierce growling on the other side of the house, and Lee glided to his side.
“A strange man coming in,” he said.
“Well, stop him at once, Lee. Say I’m away. Miss Carr will be here any minute. So get him out somehow. Threaten him with the dogs if he won't go.”
He lay on in the hammock for a few minutes, and then exceedingly annoyed he got up to see who it was who had had the cheek to defy the notice at the gate. He walked into the study and was astonished to see Davenport Carr talking angrily to Lee.
The boy had met the stranger near the front steps. He was no respecter of persons where his obedience was concerned.
“Meester Barrington not home. You please to go away,” he said.
Davenport Carr looked down coolly enough at him. He had no intention of getting angry with a servant.
“I happen to know he is home. And I’m Miss Carr’s father. You go and tell him who it is.”
“It no good, Meester Carr. He away.” And Lee looked meaningly at the dogs.
That look made Davenport Carr suddenly furious, but he made an effort to control himself.
“It’s no use your telling me he’s away. And even if he is I’m going to wait till he comes back. You needn’t look at those dogs again, you damned little fool.”
“You mistake,” said Lee, with great dignity. “Meester Barrington away, gone to town.”
At that moment Dane came through the front door.
