And now it will be seen how Sir Adam had concealed himself at the Maze. In the daytime he was the toothless, hump-backed, infirm old Hopley, working at his garden with enlarged knees and tottering steps: as soon as dusk came on, his false padding was thrown of with his smock frock and coarse clothes, and he was the well-bred gentleman, Sir Adam Andinnian, in his evening attire and with his white and even teeth. His assumed role was maintained always during the day; his meals were taken in the kitchen to be safe in case of any possible surprise, Ann attending upon him with all respect. The delay in admitting Nurse Chaffen, kept waiting once on the wrong side of the kitchen door, was caused by "Hopley's" taking out his set of teeth and putting on his broad-brimmed hat: for it was convenient to assume the teeth during the short period devoted to dinner. The deafness was of course assumed as an additional precaution. Thus he had lived, in a state of semi-security, tending his flowers and occupied with the care of his garden generally, an employment that he loved so well. The day that General Lloyd's party went in, Karl was transfixed with apprehension and amazement to see Hopley showing himself. Adam enjoyed it: it was so like him to brave things; and he feared no danger from a pleasure party like that. Well, I think that is all that is needed in the way of explanation; and we can go on. Karl was looking at the digging with regretful eyes. "You ought to be glad to see me at work again, Karl, instead of groaning over it," cried Sir Adam. "And so I should be, Adam, only that I fear you will feel its effects unpleasantly by and by." "I asked him not to do it, but he only laughed at me," said Rose. "Somebody must do it. I can't see the garden quite neglected. Besides, if I am well enough to work there's no reason why I should not. I am not sure, Karl, but I shall cheat you now." "Cheat me?" "By getting well. What should you say to that?" "Thank heaven for it: and do my best to get you away to a place of safety." "By George, old fellow, I don't know that I shan't. I am feeling as blithe as a bee. Rose, take yourself a trifle further off; out of the mould." He was throwing about the spadefuls almost as well as he had ever thrown them in his strength. Rose was cheated into something like hope, and her face for the moment lost its sadness. "I wish to goodness I had a draught of beer," cried Adam. "Where's Ann, I wonder." Karl went to fetch it. Ann Hopley shook her head at the idea of hope, when Karl spoke of it as she gave him the beer. "You never saw any person, who was to live on, have the look in his face that he has, sir." "He looks fairly well to-day." "And so he will at times to the last, as it strikes me. I have had a good deal of experience in illness, sir. As to his talking about getting well--why, sir, you know what he is: saying this and that without meaning it. There's no doubt he feels pretty sure himself how it will be."