squire was much worried.

"I'd give a good deal to know if that registered letter fell into his
hands," he said to himself, one night, as he sat in his library. "Perhaps
he got it and is waiting for this affair to blow over before he makes it
public."

And then he groaned aloud, and began to pace up and down nervously. It was
plain to see that he was more put out than he had been for years.

"I'll pay the Nelsons a visit to-night," he said, at last. "I'll face the
boy and his mother alone, and see what they have to say. I am not going to
stand this suspense any longer."

And sneaking out of the house without Percy or the housekeeper becoming
aware of it, he set off on a swift walk for the little cottage by the
lakeside.

CHAPTER XXI.

SQUIRE PAGET'S VISIT.

It was not a very long walk from Squire Paget's elegant mansion on the hill
to the humble cottage occupied by Mrs. Nelson and Ralph, but the squire
made it longer by taking numerous back roads. It was easy to imagine that
he wished to be seen by no outsider in making his proposed visit.

It was nearly eight o'clock when he came within sight of the cottage. He
saw that the lamp was lit in the sitting-room, and near it sat the widow,
reading the latest copy of the county weekly newspaper. Ralph was nowhere
in sight.

"The boy must be upstairs," thought the squire. "Most likely he is dressing
to go out for the evening," he went on, thinking of his own son's ways.
Percy rarely spent an evening at home.

The squire entered the garden by a side gate, and, hurrying to the front
door, knocked sharply.

The loud summons startled Mrs. Nelson, and made her break off abruptly in
her reading. With the lamp in her hand, she opened the door to see who her
late visitor was.

"Good-evening, Mrs. Nelson," said the squire, stiffly.

"Why, good-evening, squire," she returned, in great surprise.

Never before had the great man condescended to visit her humble abode.

"I called on a little matter of business," he added, rather awkwardly, for
he had expected an invitation to enter.

"Indeed! Won't you come in, then?"

"I will."

The squire stepped in, and after closing the door the widow led the way
into the parlor. She placed the lamp down, and offered the squire the
easiest chair in the room. He threw himself into it with a loud ahem, and
dropped his silk hat on a stand near by.

"You came on a little matter of business, you say?" she began,
hesitatingly,