Herbert was young, inexperienced, and terribly shy. But his was no craven spirit, and he had enough of school-boy plain-speaking frankness about him to say, ‘Come, this is a fine lark. You would not have kept me waiting here much longer, I can tell you. I was just going to cut and run.’ ‘You may cut and run as soon as you please,’ said the other gruffly. ‘The sooner the better.’ ‘And what would Lady Farrington say?’ ‘Lady Farrington is not in a position to say much.’ ‘I should like to see her.’ ‘You can’t. She’s gone off in a hurry.’ ‘She never was here, or near here. I know that much, for I have enquired.’ ‘You broke through my instructions, did you? Not that it matters much; and it is time you should know all. Lady Farrington has been put under restraint. You do not understand? Locked up in an asylum, I mean. She is mad, insane; and of all her ravings, the wildest were those which led you to suppose you were somebody, instead of a beggar’s brat picked up out of the mire.’ ‘That I’m not, I’ll swear, and no one shall call me so,’ cried Herbert, hotly. He looked so fierce, with his clenched fists, broad shoulders, and light active figure, that the man for the moment was cowed. ‘I don’t know who you are, or where you came from. But you’re not what you think you are, nor what Lady Farrington has made you believe. That is enough for me.’ ‘I have her word.’ ‘That of a mad woman!’ ‘And she has proofs.’ ‘Which exist only in her own distraught brain.’ ‘That remains to be seen. But who are you? Why are you so bitter against me? Why did you bring me here?’ ‘I am Sir Rupert Farrington. It is I whom this mad old lady wishes to wrong. She has been seeking what she calls a rightful heir all these years--only that she may dispossess me. You are not the first pretender she has set up. But I think it is not unlikely you will be the last.’ Had he brought Herbert there to injure him? The thought suddenly flashed across the young man’s mind. But then there were other people at the inn; the landlady, ostlers, keepers, police not far off, none of these would knowingly suffer any foul play to be done. ‘I defy you and your threats,’ said Herbert. ‘If I am in a false position it was none of my seeking, but I prefer to believe Lady Farrington rather than you. There are others who know of my claims, and with their help I shall yet put them forward as you will see.’ Sir Rupert snapped his fingers at him. ‘How do you propose to live meanwhile? Remember you can get nothing from Lady Farrington now. You cannot go back to the school; I brought you all this way on purpose that you should not. Besides, I have written to Dr. Jiggs to put him on his guard.’ ‘He would still help me if I asked him; but I do not need to do that.’