"Hunted! Haunted, I suppose you mean. By what?" "Ghoasts and evil sperrits, as well as with th' oull Sir Nick." "Do you ever go up there?" "No; I kip away in the daytime, and as fur goin' ther after dark, I wouldn't for a crock of gould." We asked the man many more questions, but could get nothing much further from him. All I could gather was that the Trewinions had been a great people, but had fallen on evil days as the result of their own sinning, and that the present representative of the family was a recluse, living alone in the old Manor House, and that many curious stories were told about him. "Well," said Will to me, "I think we've heard enough; let us get away from this outlandish place." "Not until I've inquired at the place itself," I replied. "You are mad," said he. "Evidently this old man is some strange creature, who prefers living alone, and will no doubt think it a piece of impudence on our part if we call. Perhaps he will set the dogs after us." "Nevertheless, I'm going," I replied. "If you like to remain behind, you may do so; but I want to know the truth of this. I suspect a good story." "Oh, well, if you will be foolish, I'll go," said Will, "but remember we have to walk twelve miles before we get to our resting-place to-night." I did not reply, but went away in the direction of Trewinion Manor, while Will, grumbling, came on behind. As we ascended the hill the view became wondrously grand. At least fifteen miles of coast were to be seen, with great rugged cliffs, hundreds of feet high, while huge rocks stood out in the sea as if inviting the fury of the waves as they broke upon them. In winter it must be almost terrible to live there, but now it was beautiful beyond compare. We found, too, that the old house was somewhat sheltered, on the one hand by the great headland which rose higher as it neared the sea, and on the other by a thick, lofty wall. Besides this, a hill which rose up landward broke the force of the wind, so that it was not so exposed as I had at first thought. There was no way of entering the grounds save by a door that was locked. It was thick and heavy, made of oak, and iron studded. "Evidently those within are determined to keep out intruders," I said, as I saw the grim forbidding wall. "I should think so," replied Will. "Now let's go on, for it's only waste of time to stay here."