"Well, I'm going, sir. Come if
you really must, but--I don't advise it."
"I am coming," said the squire briefly. His hand went from Dick's
shoulder to his arm and gave it a hard squeeze. "Confound you! What do
you take me for?" he said.
Dick's hand came swiftly to his. "I take you for the best friend a man
ever had, sir," he said.
"Pooh!" said the squire.
CHAPTER IX
THE FREE PARDON
Ten minutes later they went down the dripping avenue in the squire's
little car. The drifting fog made an inky blackness of the night, and
progress was very slow under the trees.
"We should be quicker walking," said Dick impatiently.
"It'll be better when we reach the open road," said Fielding, frowning at
the darkness.
The light at the lodge-gates flung a wide glare through the mist, and
he steered for it with more assurance. They passed through and turned
into the road.
And here the squire pulled up with a jerk, for immediately in front of
them another light shone.
"What the devil is that, Dick?"
"It's another car," said Dick and jumped out. "Hullo, there! Anything the
matter?" he called.
"Damnation, yes!" answered a voice.
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