"I shall be quite open," said Copplestone. "I'm not going to indulge in any secret investigations. But I mean to have a thorough look round the place. That Keep, now?--may one look round that?" "There's a path which leads close by the Keep, from which you can get a good outside view of it," replied Audrey. "But the Keep itself, and the rest of the ruins round about it are in private ground." "But you have a key, Audrey, and you can take Mr. Copplestone in there," said Mrs. Greyle. "And you would show him more than he would find out for himself--Audrey," she continued, turning to Copplestone, "knows every inch of the place and every stone of the walls." Copplestone made no attempt to conceal his delight at this suggestion. He turned to the girl with almost boyish eagerness. "Will you?" he exclaimed. "Do! When?" "Tomorrow morning, if you like," replied Audrey. "Meet me on the south quay, soon after ten." Copplestone was down on the quay by ten o'clock. He became aware as he descended the road from the inn that the fisher-folk, who were always lounging about the sea-front, were being keenly interested in something that was going on there. Drawing nearer he found that an energetic bill-poster was attaching his bills to various walls and doors. Sir Cresswell and his solicitor had evidently lost no time, and had set a Norcaster printer to work immediately on their arrival the previous evening. And there the bill was, and it offered a thousand pounds reward to any person who should give information which would lead to the finding of Bassett Oliver, alive or dead. Copplestone purposely refrained from mingling with the groups of men and lads who thronged about the bills, eagerly discussing the great affair of the moment. He sauntered along the quay, waiting for Audrey. She came at last with an enigmatic smile on her lips. "Our particular excursion is off, Mr. Copplestone," she said. "Extraordinary events seem to be happening. Mr. Chatfield called on us an hour ago, took my key away from me, and solemnly informed us that Scarhaven Keep is strictly closed until further notice!" CHAPTER VIII RIGHT OF WAY The look of blank astonishment which spread over Copplestone's face on hearing this announcement seemed to afford his companion great amusement, and she laughed merrily as she signed to him to turn back towards the woods. "All the same," she observed, "I know how to steal a countermarch on Master Chatfield. Come along!--you shan't be disappointed." "Does your cousin know of that?" asked Copplestone. "Are those his orders?" Audrey's lips curled a little, and she laughed again--but this time the laughter was cynical.