He had been walking alone for only a few minutes, with his eyes upon the ground, when a crackling noise among the underwood caused him to look up, and turn himself in the direction from which the sound came.

In doing so, he caught sight of the figure of a man retiring through the trees, and evidently, from his movements, anxious to avoid observation.

Mr.
Markland stood still and gazed after him until his figure passed from sight.

The impression this incident made upon him was unpleasant.

The person of the stranger was so much hidden by trees, that he could make out no resemblance whatever.
It was near that part of Mr.Markland's grounds known as the Fountain Grove, where this occurred, and the man, to all appearance, had been there.