A few days ago John Dent had been perfectly satisfied with everything. His cousin had been drowned--so he supposed--and he had succeeded to his title and possessions. These were assured to him if the King proved successful in his struggle with the Parliament, for he had curried favour by offering to raise and arm a troop. If the king failed, he was ready to go over to the victors, for whom he had done several services already--such as agreeing to vacate Dent for them to go into. And now, to-day, not only had he been charged with his treason, not only had Dick inconsiderately come to life again, but he had heard that his title and estates were gone. No wonder he felt bitter hatred against Dick, and a wild anger against the stableman whom he had helped on the highroad, and who had turned all his plans upside down. He could not endure to leave Dick unpunished and to escape himself without some, however slight, revenge; and Newton, his servant, found out, through a man who had worked at the manor, the entrance, by the yew-hedge, and the secret door to the parlour. Knowing Giles's master was at a council, the servant had entered softly and succeeded in capturing Dick, John Dent having promised a high reward if he did it unseen. Having got him, the question was: What should be done with the boy? Master Purvis could only puff out his fat cheeks and say: "No, no," as though someone had already suggested a deed he dared not contemplate. Perhaps he saw the suggestion in John Dent's hard face as he paced up and down uneasily. But Newton, who was full of resource, knew of the very thing, he assured his good master, which could be worked easily for a trifling sum. "Go on, sirrah," said Captain Dent shortly. It appeared that Newton had a half-sister in the south somewhere, whose husband kept an inn. They had just lost their only son, and were anxious to adopt a strong lad who would make himself a bit useful about the place. Adopting, as Newton said, grinning, was so much less expensive than hiring a boy. Now, couldn't the young gentleman be taken there immediately, to lie snug until his honour wanted him, or until he had other plans for him? His half-sister's husband was a thrifty man and hard-working, and his sister a sharp woman. They'd keep the boy out of mischief, and active employment, as his honour knew, was healthy. To be sure, he would have to work; but then none would take him for nothing. And if his honour wanted to be sure of his staying where he was put--Newton paused,--why, he couldn't expect to pick him a home anywhere, with anyone, as his honour would quite understand. Captain Dent paced the room more slowly. "An inn?" he said at last. "Every kind of traveller stays at an inn. Dick will get hold of some Royalist or other, and tell his tale while he waters his horse for him."