Neither the father nor brother asked him any questions, nor did he volunteer any information.
Boolabong was about fourteen miles from Medlicot's Mill.

Nokes had walked this distance in the morning, and now retraced it at night--not going right across Gangoil, as he had falsely boasted of doing early in the day, but skirting it, and keeping on the outside of the fence nearly the whole distance.

At about two in the morning he reached his cottage outside the mill on the river-bank; but he was unable to skulk in unheard.

Some dogs made a noise, and presently he heard a voice calling him from the house.

"Is that you, Nokes, at this time of night ?" asked Mr.Medlicot.Nokes grunted out some reply, intending to avoid any further question.