"And what became of the masked cavalier?" asked Otho Killigrew when he had finished. "I'll tell 'ee that next time I come this way," replied Uncle Anthony. "That's a paart of another stoary." "And the wise man?" I asked,--"what became of him?" "The wise man, Maaster Roger Penryn--for tha's the naame you towld me to call 'ee--es livin' still. A trewly wise man don' never die. 'Ee do live top 'igh plaaces, my deear. A wise man do mount a 'igh rock, and rest in paice. Around 'im es the wild, treacherous waaste, but up there 'ee's saafe. 'Appy be they who in trouble seek the shelter of the wise man's 'igh plaace. 'Tes the shadda of a great rock in a weary land." I pondered much about the old man's tale, and made up my mind that, if I could, I would speak with him alone. I decided that he was not what he seemed; but how I could converse with him again was not easy to discover, for he expressed a desire to retire, and Otho Killigrew continued to watch me closely. Before I was in any way able to decide what to do, I knew by the baying of the hounds outside and the sounds at the door that some visitor was approaching. At a look from Colman Killigrew, all the serving-people left the room. Uncle Anthony also went out with them, saying that he would retire to rest. The newcomer turned out to be one John Polperro, a fair-spoken young fellow of about five-and-twenty. I saw at a glance that he was a gentleman, although of no great force of character. He was dressed in accordance with the latest foppery of the times, and was, I thought, mighty careful about his attire. His face was somewhat weak, but there was no vice, no meanness in it. I presently discovered, too, that on occasion he could speak boldly. Colman Killigrew's welcome was by no means warm, while each of the sons looked at him distrustfully, almost savagely. But he did not seem to heed their evident dislike. "I would like a word with you alone," he said to the squire. "I am alone," was the reply. "I have no secrets from my sons." "But there is a stranger among you," retorted Polperro. "He is a friend who honours us by staying with us. He is of the same religion and hath the same interests." I winced at this, and rose to leave, but Colman Killigrew, by a gesture, bid me remain. "But this is not an affair for the ears of all," retorted Polperro. "I have no affairs with you that may not be discussed by all here," was the cool response. I wondered at this, for I could not fathom the old man's design. Perhaps he thought that by treating me as one of his family, even though I was a stranger, he would cause me to be more obedient to his wishes in the future. I listened eagerly, however, for I remembered why I was there. "Be it so, then," replied Polperro with a touch of anger in his voice. "You know, then, that I have met Mistress Nancy Molesworth?" The old man nodded. "I love her."