“I was not aware, before,” said Percy, “that Captain Tryon had never shown himself at the castle. However, he doesn’t appear to spend much of his time in this section any way. As soon as his vessel gets in he is sure to be off. Where he goes I do not know; and, to tell the truth, I care less. There is something about the man that puzzles me, and for that I would like to gain a more intimate acquaintance. I would like to follow him on one of his journeys and see what he does with himself--where he goes, and in what guise he appears when there.” “Eh! D’ye fancy he’s playin’ a kind of hide and seek?--that he’s got another character?” “Yes. I am sure of it, and I intend to unmask him one of these days. In fact, the time may not be far distant.” “Well, if he’s as big a rascal as I’ve heard it whispered, I hope he may be nabbed very soon.” “Ah!” exclaimed the youth, with a slight start, and a curious look into the old man’s face, “what sort of whispers have you heard, Michael?” The steward hesitated. After gazing for a time into his glass, and taking a swallow of wine, he said: “Really, Percy, I don’t know as I ought to speak; but then it’s no secret, and it’s whispered pretty loudly, too. They say--I’ve heard old Martin at the inn say--that there was more carried on by the new captain of the Staghound than smuggling. I s’pose you know what that means?” “Yes. I know. Has it come to the earl’s ears?” “I’m not sure; but I think it has. Mebbe, Percy, you know about it.” “Michael, whatever I may know with regard to a change in the character of the brig has come to my knowledge within eight-and-forty hours. I shall myself speak with the earl on this subject; so you and I will discuss it no more.” “But you’ll tell me some time, my boy?” “Yes; you shall know all about it, just as soon as there is something tangible discovered.” Shortly after this the meal came to an end, and the young man made his way to one of the smaller drawing-rooms, where Cordelia was in the habit of sitting, and where he had given her his instruction while acting in the capacity of private tutor. He found the lady there, and with her was the old earl. She arose instantly on his entrance, and approached him with her hand outstretched. She smiled, as she always smiled on meeting him; but to him there was a new flush on her lovely face; a new warmth in her greeting, and a new light in her radiant eyes. “Percy, I am glad you have come. You can tell dear grandpa all about what we saw in the old chapel last night.” “My lord,” said the visitor, turning to the earl, after he had responded to Cordelia’s greeting, “I have come on purpose to speak with you. I think I have something to tell that will interest you.” Now Lord Allerdale had made up his mind--had firmly resolved--that the next time he should meet with young Maitland he would treat him respectfully, and not unkindly; but he would make him feel that he must know his place and keep it.