"For half a century, sir; a little more or a little less." "In that case, you have probably some knowledge of the existence of a family of the name of Pengarvon--the Pengarvons of Broome, I believe they are generally called in these parts." "There are not many folks in Stavering or for miles round about but what have heard talk of the Pengarvons of Broome. A queer family, sir, very!" "So I have been told," answered the stranger, dryly. "Who lives at Broome at the present time?" "Miss Pengarvon, sir, a lady getting well on into years, eldest daughter of the late Sir Jasper Pengarvon--with whom the title died, there being no heir male in the family." "Sir Jasper was twice married, was he not?" "He was, sir. When he died he left two daughters by his first wife and one by his second." "Just so. Now, as to the daughter by the second wife--she is still living, I presume?" He leaned forward a little as he put the question, and seemed to wait almost breathlessly for an answer. "That is more than I can say, sir; more than anybody can say, I should imagine, unless it be Miss Pengarvon herself. Miss Isabel--that is the daughter of Sir Jasper's second marriage--ah, what a sweet young lady she was!--ran away, more than twenty years ago, with a gentleman who had been stopping for a couple of months at this very hotel before he and she disappeared. There was a fine to-do, I can tell you, sir, at the time." "And did Miss Isabel never come back?" "Never that I heard tell of, sir. It was said that Miss Pengarvon forbade her name ever being mentioned at the Hall, and that she even went so far as to burn such of the poor young lady's clothes as she had left behind her. An old witch, sir, if ever there was one!" The stranger seemed not to have heard the last remark, but sat with his chin on his breast, pondering silently. Presently he roused himself with a sigh, and said: "I am much obliged to you for your information. There is nothing more I want to ask you at present." The landlord rose. "About dinner, sir: at what hour would you like it?" "Eh? Oh, yes. At five sharp. Anything you can get me. I leave it to you."