"It is mine." "Did it come to you by will?" For a moment Mr. Castlemaine hesitated before giving an answer. The persistent questioning annoyed him; and yet he did not know how to escape it. "It became mine by deed of gift." "Why did you not show the deed to Anthony?" "I might have done so had he waited. He was too impatient. I should have done it:" and the emphasis here was marked. "To no one save yourself have I acknowledged so much, Squire Dobie. I recognize in none the right to question me." Squire Dobie rose, taking his hat and stick from the side-table where he had laid them, and held out his hand to Mr. Castlemaine. "If you are an innocent man, James, and I have said what cannot be justified, I heartily beg your pardon. Perhaps time will clear up the mystery. Meanwhile, if you will come over to Dobie Hall, and bring your family to stay a few days, I shall be glad to welcome you. Who was that nice-looking, delicate featured woman with the light hair?" "With the light hair?--oh, my little daughter's governess. Madame Guise; a French lady." "And the very pretty girl who was sitting by you?" "Miss Reene. She is my wife's stepdaughter." Squire Dobie took his departure, Mr. Castlemaine walking with him to the hall-door. When outside, the Squire stood for an instant as if deliberating which way to choose--the avenue, or the obscure by-way of Chapel Lane. He took the latter. "I'll see this Commodore Teague and hear his version of it," he said to himself as he went on. "James Castlemaine speaks fairly, but doubts of him still linger on my mind: though why they should I know not." Walking briskly up the lane, as he turned into it, came a tall, handsome young fellow, who bore a great resemblance to the Castlemaines. Squire Dobie accosted him. "You should be James Castlemaine's son, young man." Harry stopped. "I am the son of the Master of Greylands." "Ay. Can't mistake a Castlemaine. I am Squire Dobie. You've heard of the Dobies?" "Oh dear, yes. I knew Mr. Tom Dobie and the old Squire." "To be sure. Well, there's only me left of them. I have been to pay a visit to your father." "I hope you found him at home, sir." "Yes, and have been talking with him. Well you are a fine young fellow: over six feet, I suppose. I wish I had a son like you! Was that poor cousin of yours, young Anthony--who seems to have vanished more mysteriously than anybody ever vanished yet--was he a Castlemaine?" "Not in height: he was rather short. But he had a regular Castlemaine face; as nice-looking as they say my Uncle Basil used to be." "What has become of him?" "I don't know. I wish I did know!" Harry added earnestly. They parted. That this young fellow had borne no share in the business, and would be glad to find its elucidation, Squire Dobie saw. Turning down the little path, when he came to it, that led to the Hutt, he knocked at the door.