“Oh, dear, no—quite a mistake. I consider that every man has a fair right to the enjoyment of his opinion. All I have to remark is, that I shall, after what has occurred, feel myself called upon to fight anybody who says those letters were written by my nephew.” “Indeed, sir!” “Ah, indeed.” “You will permit me to say such is a strange mode of allowing every one the free enjoyment of his opinion.” “Not at all.” “Whatever pains and penalties may be the result, Admiral Bell, of differing with so infallible authority as yourself, I shall do so whenever my judgment induces me.” “You will?” “Indeed I will.” “Very good. You know the consequences.” “As to fighting you, I should refuse to do so.” “Refuse?” “Yes; most certainly.” “Upon what ground?” “Upon the ground that you were a madman.” “Come,” now interposed Henry, “let me hope that, for my sake as well as for Flora’s, this dispute will proceed no further.” “I have not courted it,” said Marchdale. “I have much temper, but I am not a stick or a stone.” “D——e, if I don’t think,” said the admiral, “you are a bit of both.” “Mr. Henry Bannerworth,” said Marchdale, “I am your guest, and but for the duty I feel in assisting in the search for Mr. Charles Holland, I should at once leave your house.” “You need not trouble yourself on my account,” said the admiral; “if I find no clue to him in the neighbourhood for two or three days, I shall be off myself.” “I am going,” said Henry, rising, “to search the garden and adjoining meadows; if you two gentlemen choose to come with me, I shall of course be happy of your company; if, however, you prefer remaining here to wrangle, you can do so.” This had the effect, at all events, of putting a stop to the dispute for the present, and both the admiral and Mr. Marchdale accompanied Henry on his search. That search was commenced immediately under the balcony of Charles Holland’s window, from which the admiral had seen him emerge. There was nothing particular found there, or in the garden. Admiral Bell pointed out accurately the route he had seen Charles take across the grass plot just before he himself left his chamber to seek Henry. Accordingly, this route was now taken, and it led to a low part of the garden wall, which any one of ordinary vigour could easily have surmounted. “My impression is,” said the admiral, “that he got over here.” “The ivy appears to be disturbed,” remarked Henry. “Suppose we mark the spot, and then go round to it on the outer side?” suggested George. This was agreed to; for, although the young man might have chosen rather to clamber over the wall than go round, it was doubtful if the old admiral could accomplish such a feat. The distance round, however, was not great, and as they had cast over the wall a handful of flowers from the garden to mark the precise spot, it was easily discoverable.