'I have got to be in the Hollow to-night,' he said. 'The wife of the man who was hurt, in an impulse of gratitude, I suppose, has warned me that an attempt will be made before morning to fire one of my mills. I do not half believe it; and yet I think I must be on hand. What will you and Prim do? There are only two things; for you to ride to Dr. Maryland's—and that is seven miles—alongside of Arthur's buggy; or that you should spend the night here. I think Gyda can make you comfortable. I have sent a messenger to Chickaree.' 'Excuse me for interfering,' said Dr. Arthur, 'but as my buggy remains here, the honour of Miss Kennedy's company alongside would be of doubtful expediency.' 'Nonsense Arthur!' said Dane; 'if she wanted to go, I should let you take the buggy. What do you say, Miss Kennedy?' 'I shall stay,' said Hazel, just ready to laugh at the unwonted name. 'Unless I can go alone.' 'Sit down then,' said he taking her hands and putting her back in her chair. 'Arthur, take off your overcoat and make yourself comfortable if you can. Prim, I am glad to see you.' And he went over to kiss her. 'Now we have got the evening before us. Gyda, we are all going to stay. Is your kettle on?' CHAPTER XI. STARLIGHT AND FIRELIGHT. He went out, probably to fill and put on the kettle himself; and came back with an armful of wood for the fire. In the light of a splendid blaze the four friends sat in a half circle round the fireplace, and the evening was falling gray outside. 'Do you expect they will really set fire to your mills, Duke?' Primrose asked. 'I do not know what to expect.' 'But I thought they liked you so much?' 'Those are not the people who are talking of lighting up Morton Hollow. Do you know,' he went on to Wych Hazel, 'it is thought by some parties down there, that my doings are so much in want of explanation that the secret is probably to be found in Satanic influence.' ' "If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub," '—said Prim, with her eyes fixed on the fire. 'And it would not pay to drench the cotton bales on an uncertainty'—said Hazel, her eye mentally fixed on one particular bale for which she had a kindness. 'I can't conceive how they should think so, after all, Dane,' said Primrose. 'It seems unnatural for a man not to take all he can get. Therefore it has not been very difficult, I fancy, to persuade some of the ignorant people that a deep scheme to wrong them must be hid under the apparent plan for righting them. It is easier to believe that than the truth.' 'A little natural envy too,' said Dr. Arthur. 'Just when is this performance to come off?' 'Impossible to guess.—Arthur,' said Dane suddenly, 'I want you for my doctor.' 'You have me, sir,' said Dr. Arthur, bending his brows upon his friend. 'What's the matter with you?' '_Do_ I have you? I want for a permanency.' 'I see. The case promises great interest. Well?—Begin with your most unpleasant sensations.'