Along the crest ran a path which had once been gravelled and trimmed.

Beyond, through a thicket of laurels and rhododendrons, they came on a long unkempt aisle of grass, which seemed to be one of those side avenues often found in connection with old Scots dwellings.

Keeping along this they reached a grove of beech and holly through which showed a dim shape of masonry.

By a common impulse they moved stealthily, crouching in cover, till at the far side of the wood they found a sunk fence and looked over an acre or two of what had once been lawn and flower-beds to the front of the mansion.
The outline of the building was clearly silhouetted against the glowing west, but since they were looking at the east face the detail was all in shadow.

But, dim as it was, the sight was enough to give Dickson the surprise of his life.