Percy watched her until the closing door behind her had shut her from his view; then he put on his cap; buckled on his sword--a light, but valuable weapon; took a light cloak over his arm, and went forth, determined within himself that he had slept his last sleep, and eaten his last meal, in the old cottage--the home of his boyhood--the only home he had ever known. He took his way directly toward the shore of the Cove, determined to have speech with old Donald at all events. And he could not see where would be the danger, unless Tryon had succeeded in stirring up his immediate friends more bitterly against him than he could think possible. However he was saved all trouble--most agreeably saved. Little more than half the distance through the wood had he gone when he met both Donald Rodney and young Guy Carroll. “Dear old man! I was coming to see you. I had determined to brave the danger, if any there might be.” “Mercy on us! I’m glad ye didn’t come, my dear boy. The cap’n’s laid in with a dozen or so of his own men, if ye do come aboard, to play some sort of a rough trick on ye. I don’t know what it is, but it may cost ye yer life.” “Donald, I don’t see how you can endure it.” “I aint agoin’ to endure it, my boy, not a bit longer than it takes me to get what belongs to me. I don’t forget that a part of the brig is my own property. I’ll get that, and then I’m off, and this blessed boy with me. And now, Percy, what’s up? I can’t be here but a few minutes.” “Only this, Donald: I want you to let me know the moment Ralph Tryon gets back. That’s all. Just give me the intelligence.” “I’ll do it, Percy. Shall I find ye at the cottage?” “No. At the inn--the Allerdale Arms.” “Eh! Are ye goin’ to cut yer cable, my boy?” “For a time, yes. Ah, old friend, the warning you sent me may have saved my life. At all events, I shall so regard it.” “I knew there was something in the wind, Percy. I’m blamed if I can understand it. How she can do it is beyond me. But I don’t s’pose you care to talk about it.” “I would rather not, Donald. But it is due to you that I should tell you this: You were not mistaken. There was deadly mischief meant to me; and the pair of them were engaged in it. There! let it rest at that. Now, tell me, Guy said something about the captain’s being set upon by officers of the constablery. How badly was he hurt?” “Oh, not very bad. He had a bullet through his right arm, below, and another higher up. It don’t prevent him from traveling.” “Isn’t he afraid of being again recognized by officers of the law?” “He don’t appear to be. Howsumever, that’s his lookout. I don’t care how quick he gets overhauled. He’s a black-hearted wretch!” “I agree with you, old man. You don’t know when he will return?” “I haven’t the least idea anything about it. I don’t know where he’s gone, nor when he’ll come back.”