"I thought none of you could be up yet," began the landlord, "with all the blinds down! I'm sure the house looks as though somebody had died in it." "And somebody has died, more's the pity; though not in the house," replied Miles, turning his face, full of grave concern, on the speaker. "A messenger was here soon after six this morning to fetch the master to Stilborough. Mr. Peter Castlemaine died suddenly last night." The landlord was shocked. He could hardly believe it. "Mr. Peter Castlemaine dead!" he exclaimed. "It can't be true, Miles." "It's too true," returned Miles. "But he was so strong and healthy! He had not a trace of illness about him!" "Ay. But they say it was the heart." "Well, it's sad news any way, and I'm sorry for him," said John Bent. "Is young Mr. Castlemaine here?" "Not just now. He'll be home some time this afternoon. He went off to Newerton yesterday on business." "I don't mean him--Mr. Harry. I mean Mr. Anthony Castlemaine." "What should bring that young man here?" loftily retorted Miles, who made a point of sharing in all the prejudices of his master. John Bent told his tale. It was listened to with disbelieving and resentful ears. "My master in at that there blessed scared place, the Friar's Keep, at twelve o'clock at night! Well, I wonder what next you'll say, Mr. Bent?" "But I saw him go in," returned John Bent. "It couldn't have been him. It's not likely. What should he want there? When us servants went to bed at ten, the master was in the red parlour. As to that other young man you speak of, that he has not been anigh the house I can answer for." John Bent felt as if he were in the midst of a fog, through which no light could be seen. "You say Mr. Castlemaine is at Stilborough, Miles?" "He went off there soon after six o'clock. And wasn't he cut up when he heard the news about his brother!" added Miles. "His lips and face had no more red in them than that"--pointing to a snowdrop under the wall. "He looked just like a man who had got a shock." It was of no use for John Bent to linger. Anthony Castlemaine was not to be heard of at Greylands' Rest. He took his departure; and, in the absence of any other clue to follow, went making inquiries in the village. Before long, not a single inhabitant, from one end of it to the other, but had heard and was making comments on his tale.