------- CHAPTER X. A BROKEN HAND--A WONDERFUL DISCOVERY. Our hero looked straight into the face of the man before him, and he saw there not only the unmistakable signs of drink, but he saw, too, a fierce, ungovernable anger. The dark, sinister face was the face of a madman. And there was still mischief in the eyes. They sent forth a malevolent, vengeful gleam not to be mistaken. What did the man mean? What could have possessed him? It occurred to Maitland at once that his wrath had been aroused before this present meeting. The sight of himself might have set it boiling over, but that had not been the sole cause of it. Instinctively Percy thought of his means of defense against attack. Oakleigh was armed with a good sword, and was angry enough to draw it upon the slightest provocation. Indeed, it was more than possible that his intent was in that direction. Fortunately our hero was armed. He had in his hand a leopard-wood staff--a common walking-cane--a stick that Donald Rodney had brought from one of the Pacific islands and given him as a present. It had a head of solid silver, and was, taken all in all, as serviceable a weapon as he could have wished for. “Lord Oakleigh! why do you thus impede my progress? If you have anything to say, I am ready to hear it.” “Oho! you’ve found your tongue, have you? Well, my gay young spark, I have something to say, and you may find it of importance. I have to inform you that you have made yourself about as familiar at the castle as will be good for you. Henceforth you will give that place as wide a berth as possible. To come to the point, you will have nothing more to say to the Lady Cordelia. I think you can understand that, and I can assure you, you had better take heed.” “Is that all, my lord?” “Is--that--all! Isn’t it enough? Do you intend to obey me?” “Lord Oakleigh, I answer you frankly--I do not recognize your right to command me.” “You don’t, eh?” “Certainly not.” “Then, by --! I’ll give you a taste of my quality. I give you fair warning. I command you to cease all intercourse with Cordelia Chester! And I give you fair warning that if you do not, here and now, give me your promise to that effect, I will punish you! Aye, I will put it beyond your power to trouble her more! If you can not put that into plain English I shall not translate it for you. I’ll expound it in a way you’ll be likely to remember while you live! What say you? Shall I have your promise?” “Lord Oakleigh, you have no right to speak--” “Silence! Will you promise?” “Lord Oakleigh, have you come hither on purpose to assassinate me?” “Will you give me the promise?” “I will not!” “Then (the oaths he muttered in his mad rage were horrible) I’ll show you for I am here! Take that!” The first movement he made and he made it furiously, told his fell purpose.