'Is my uncle absent?' asked Arwed with astonishment. 'I knew nothing of it. When he declined coming to the table, last evening, I supposed it was merely because he wished to be alone.' 'After the private audience which he granted the Laplander last evening,' proceeded the steward, 'he ordered a horse to be given him, and had his favorite brown saddled for himself with great privacy. The Laplander was to go before him and show him the way. He charged me strictly to keep his absence secret from every one. But as the night has passed and he is not yet returned, my anxiety got the better of me, and I felt compelled to inform you of the circumstance, even at the risk of his displeasure. You will know better than I what is necessary to be done in the case.' 'What direction did my uncle take?' eagerly asked Arwed, putting on his hunting coat. 'Along the right bank of the river,' answered the steward, 'upon the road which leads by Umea. Some Laplanders who were fishing in the river state that they saw both of the riders as they passed the ford of the Lais Elf, and then struck off to the right into the pine forest on the borders of our Lappmark.' 'And you really have no conjecture as to the object of this journey?' Arwed further asked. 'Conjecture, indeed!' answered the steward. 'I suspect that our lord's object was to obtain information of the robber band, who are again spreading confusion and dismay through the border forests. Who knows but he is on the look-out for Black Naddock himself?' 'Impossible!' cried Arwed with alarm. 'That is no business for his years. It is too dangerous.' 'Ah, dear major,' said the steward, sorrowfully, 'since the countess Christine has left us, our poor lord no longer cares any thing about his life, and perhaps a bullet from one of the brigands' rifles would be right welcome to him.' 'May God and our true service preserve the noble man from such an end!' cried Arwed, taking his gun, hunting-knife and shooting-bag. 'I will go and reconnoitre. If it be God's will, I shall return in the morning with some definite intelligence. Until then, let every one keep perfect silence. If my uncle has fallen into wicked hands, every thing will depend upon taking the villains by surprise. Should I not come back by the time I mentioned, you will then inform the sheriff of what has occurred, that he may save or avenge his worthy chief.' 'God bless your undertaking, noble count!' cried the steward, kissing Arwed's hand, as he hastened from the castle. CHAPTER XLIII.