“Then we’ll stop him,” declared Colonel Wenman valorously. “Politely--but firmly,” added Captain Irons. “And what do you say, Mr Stillford?” “I’ll go with these fellows anyhow--and see that they don’t overstep the law. No more than the strictly necessary force, Colonel!” “I begin to think that the law is rather stupid,” said the Marchesa. She thought it stupid; Lynborough held it iniquitous; the law was at a discount, and its majesty little reverenced, that night. Ultimately, however, Stillford persuaded the angry lady to--as he tactfully put it--give Lynborough a chance. “See what he does first. If he crosses the path now, after warning, your case is clear. Write to him again then, and tell him that, if he persists in trespassing, your servants have orders to interfere.” “That lets him bathe to-morrow!” Once more the Marchesa returned to her point--a very sore one. “Just for once, it really doesn’t matter!” Stillford urged. Reluctantly she acquiesced; the others were rather relieved--not because they objected to a fight, but because eight in the morning was rather early to start one. Breakfast at the Grange was at nine-thirty, and, though the men generally went down for a dip, they went much later than Lord Lynborough proposed to go. “He shall have one chance of withdrawing gracefully,” the Marchesa finally decided. Stillford was unfeignedly glad to hear her say so; he had, from a professional point of view, no desire for a conflict. Inquiries which he had made in Fillby--both from men in Scarsmoor Castle employ and from independent persons--had convinced him that Lynborough’s case was strong. For many years--through the time of two Lynboroughs before the present at Scarsmoor, and through the time of three Crosses (the predecessors of the Marchesa) at Nab Grange, Scarsmoor Castle had without doubt asserted this dominant right over Nab Grange. It had been claimed and exercised openly--and, so far as he could discover, without protest or opposition. The period, as he reckoned it, would prove to be long enough to satisfy the law as to prescription; it was very unlikely that any document existed--or anyhow could be found--which would serve to explain away the presumption which user such as this gave. In fine, the Marchesa’s legal adviser was of opinion that in a legal fight the Marchesa would be beaten. His own hope lay in compromise; if friendly relations could be established, there would be a chance of a compromise. He was sure that the Marchesa would readily grant as a favour--and would possibly give in return for a nominal payment--all that Lynborough asked. That would be the best way out of the difficulty. “Let us temporise, and be conciliatory,” thought the man of law.