The duke and the baron shook hands and parted on the sidewalk. "Give my warm respects to the duchess. Tell her grace that I shall hope to meet her and present my congratulations in person, on her return from the Continent. That will be in time for the meeting of Parliament, I presume," said his lordship, as he was about to step into his carriage. "Thanks, my lord. Yes, I hope so," answered his grace, as he lifted his hat and turned away. The baron's carriage drove off to his hotel. The duke walked rapidly to the inn, where he had ordered his post-chaise to be put up. He partook of a light luncheon while his horses were being harnessed, and then entered the chaise, attended by his valet, and ordered the coachman to drive as fast as possible, without hurting the horses, to Lone. He was most anxious to reach the "Arondelle Arms," to see if any telegram from Detective Setter had reached the office for him. So long as the road ran through the Firwood, and was comparatively smooth and level, the coachman kept his horses at their best speed; but when it entered the mountain pass of the chain running around Loch Lone, he was compelled to drive slowly and carefully. The sun set before they emerged from the pass, and it was nearly dark when the chaise drew up before the Arondelle Arms. The duke got out of the chaise, and passed through the little assemblage of villagers who were standing there discussing the verdict of the jury. He hurried at once to the bar-room to inquire if any letter or telegram had come for him. "Na, naething o' the sort," replied the landlord, who, seeing the disappointment expressed upon the duke's face, added: "But, under favor, your grace, there's time eneuch yet. Your grace hae na been twenty-four hours awa' fra Lunnun." Without waiting to answer the host, the young duke hurried out, and walked rapidly off to the telegraph office, which was at the railway station. "Ye see yon lad?" said the landlord to his wife. "He hanna been a day fra his bride, and yet he expects to hae a letter or a message frae her every minute. Aweel we hae a' been fules in our time!" So saying the philosophical host of the Arondelle Arms gave his mind to the service of his numerous customers, who had come from the trial at Banff very hungry and thirsty, and now filled the bar-room with their persons, and all the air with their complaints. They were not at all satisfied with the verdict. They had had a murder, and they had a right to have a hanging. They had been defrauded of their prospect of this second entertainment, and they were not well pleased. Meanwhile, the duke hurried off to the telegraph office, to see if by any chance a telegram had been received there for him and detained. When he entered the little den, he found the operator at work. He forebore to interrupt the man until the clicking of the wires ceased. Then he asked: