"Is it true?" demanded Merle, eagerly, putting out one shaking hand--"is it true?" Dan did not answer at once. That two such different individuals as Tinker Tim and Dr. Merle should display emotion in regard to Miss Linisfarne astonished him greatly. He could not conceive what influence that faded old woman could exercise over the recluse and the gipsy; the more so as neither, so far as he knew, had ever set eyes on the lady. It had been impossible to get the truth out of Tim; but there was a possibility of forcing a weak creature like Merle to explain himself. This Dan determined to do, and so spoke with forethought and deliberation. "Is it true?" said Merle again, seeing that the young man kept silent. "Before I answer that question I must ask you to explain your connection with Miss Linisfarne." Merle stared at him with a terrified expression, and could hardly force his dry lips to speak. When he did manage to find his tongue it was to tell an untruth. "I have no connection with Miss Linisfarne. All the time she has been in Farbis I have never seen her." "Then why trouble to ask if I love her?" "Because you have no right to love her," replied Merle, vehemently. "I forbid you--I forbid you! I shall speak to Tinker Tim. I--I----" His voice faltered and died away in his throat, for Dan had seized him by the shoulder, and was speaking to him in a very peremptory manner. "There must be an end to this, Dr. Merle," he said decisively. "I cannot allow you to meddle with my private affairs without having some explanation. You spoke of Miss Linisfarne--you speak of Tinker Tim. Between the three of you there is some understanding. Now, what is it?" "I daren't tell," whimpered the wretched creature, thoroughly frightened by this vehemence. "There is nothing--nothing." "Yes, there is! Out with it, sir. Before you leave this place I must know." Merle half arose from his seat as to escape; but Dan, now thoroughly angry at what he regarded as an unjustifiable interference, forced him down. The man snarled and muttered. Like a rat driven into a corner he turned at bay. "I shan't tell you!" "I'll drop you into the well if you don't," said Dan, grimly. "I'm not going to have you and Tim interfering with my business without knowing your reasons." "Has Tim been here?" "He left as you came. I wonder you did not meet him. And he asked me the same question as you have done. What business is it of yours or of his if I marry Miss Linisfarne? It has nothing to do with you." "Yes, it has--yes, it has! I love her--I love her!" "How can that be, when, by your own confession, you never saw her till you came to Farbis?" "I didn't say that! I said that I had not seen her since she came to Farbis." "Indeed! Then you knew her before she settled at the Court?" "Yes! I--that is--oh, don't ask me any more!" said Merle, in an hysterical manner. "I can't tell you. If Tinker Tim knew he would kill me."