"Angus," she said eagerly, "here are two letters,--one is in papa's writing and the other has been written by Sweetlips." Herries went into the drawing-room and opened the letters. The one from Kind was merely a short intimation that he had met Captain Kyles early that very morning, and from certain facts which he had learned from him, he had gone to London on business. "I'll be back in a couple of days," ended the note, "and then will call and tell you all about it." "Good," said Herries, throwing this aside, "then Kyles is still in England." "And in Tarhaven," said Elspeth, who had been reading over his shoulder, "I should not be at all surprised, Angus, if he had anchored the 'Tarabacca' in this port." "Nor should I. However we can easily ascertain that fact. Meanwhile let us see what your father has been doing," and he opened the second letter. While he read it, his wife glanced at the envelope, "I see that your father asks me to come to the 'Marsh Inn' this afternoon," said the young man, rapidly reading the few lines, "he has,--so he says,--discovered something important." "Strange," murmured Elspeth to herself, and taking no notice. "What is strange?" "This envelope has not the Desleigh post-mark on it." Herries examined the envelope in his turn. "It must have been posted in Tarhaven,--it has that post-mark on it at all events. I expect your father sent it here by hand to be posted." "No, there is a stamp on the envelope. If papa intended to send it to you by hand, he would not have wasted a stamp." They both thought this strange, and tried to puzzle out the reason but could arrive at no conclusion. "I'll ask your father what it means when I see him," said Herries, placing both letters in his pocket. "What train can I catch, Elspeth?" An examination of the time table showed that he could not get a train to Desleigh for an hour, so meanwhile, Angus ate some luncheon and possessed his soul in patience. "I don't like your going to the 'Marsh Inn,' after what has occurred, Angus," said Elspeth, uneasily, "Mrs. Narby will make herself disagreeable." Herries laughed scornfully. "What does that matter? I am not afraid of Mrs. Narby, or of a dozen like her. Besides, I have an idea of how to tame that virago." "In what way?" "I'll tell her that I intend to bring an action against her for telling lies about me." "But can you?" "Perhaps I cannot, but the threat will serve to keep Mrs. Narby's tongue quiet. By the way, Elspeth, I must look up Armour, while I am at Desleigh, and ask if he has moved in the matter of his kidnapping by the Tarabacca sailors." "Oh," said Elspeth suddenly, "I knew that I had something to tell you, Angus. Dr. Browne's housekeeper has lived in Tarhaven for the last twenty years and knows everyone." "Really, dear," the young man laughed, "that information doesn't give me any pleasure."