The door stood open, and after a second or two they heard the sound of feet tiptoeing away up the path outside.
"Spies, perhaps," said his father.

"If so, let them go in peace." But he was not altogether easy.

There had been strange doings up at the Bryanite Chapel of late.

He still visited a few of his parishioners regularly--hill farmers and their wives for the most part, who did not happen to be tenants of Squire Moyle, and on whom his visits therefore could bring no harm; and one or two had hinted of strange doings, now that the Bryanites had hold of the old Squire.
They themselves had been up--just to look; they confessed it shamefacedly, much in the style of men who have been drinking overnight.

Without pressing them and showing himself curious, the Vicar could get at no particulars.