"My business is important, and has already been too long delayed."

"Yes, it has waited twelve years."

"I don't understand you, sir," said the squire.

"Perhaps I can assist you. You know me as Henry Morton. That is not my real name."

"An alias!" sneered the squire in a significant tone.

"Yes, I had my reasons," returned the young man, unmoved.

Henry Morton smiled, but did not otherwise notice the unpleasant imputation.

"My real name is Richard Waring."