"I am afraid I can give you no assistance," said Jarner, a trifle stiffly. "So far as I know, there can be no connection between the gipsies and the doctor. What are your grounds for such a belief?" "I was talking to Dr. Merle about his daughter, and suggested in a jocular way that if he found the young lady difficult to manage, he should ask Miss Linisfarne to adopt her." "And what did he say to that?" "He turned as white as paper, and asked me if Tim had told me anything." "Strange--very strange!" said the vicar, reflectively. "What did he mean by such a remark?" "I wish to find that out," repeated Dan for the second time. "For what reason, may I ask?" "Well," said the other, reflectively, "it sounds somewhat egotistical, but I have an idea that there is something going on between the gipsies, Dr. Merle, and Miss Linisfarne which concerns me." "Concerns you!" repeated Jarner, in surprise. "Why, what can a stranger like yourself have in common with such people?" "Nothing that I know of. But perhaps I had better tell you how I came here, and leave you to judge for yourself." "I am all attention," said the vicar, seriously, laying down his pipe, "and I must confess that I am curious to know who you are." "That is easily answered," returned Dan, smiling. "I am Lord Ardleigh." Jarner rose to his feet, with an expression of blank astonishment in his rubicund face. The information took him completely by surprise. He had guessed long ago that Dan was a gentleman, but never for a moment dreamt that he was a man of title. "Lord Ardleigh," he repeated slowly--"the owner of Farbis Court?" "That identical person, Mr. Jarner." The vicar pinched his nether lip between finger and thumb. A frown passed over his face, and he looked curiously at the nobleman. "Why are you masquerading as a cheap-jack, my lord?" "For no unworthy purpose, I assure you, sir. Sit down, and I will tell you my story, though it must be confessed it is the most prosaic of tales." Having picked up and relighted his pipe, Jarner resumed his seat on the log. Though controlling all outward expression of his feelings, he was uneasy at the revelation lately made. A lord masquerading as a vagrant was too much out of the ordinary course of things for him to accept it without disturbance. Ardleigh was the owner of Farbis Court, of Farbis village, and the patron of the living, yet Jarner gave him neither his hand nor a welcome. He was no truckler to rank, and first wished to hear the reason of the young man's visit before accepting him as a friend. Dan guessed his thoughts, and admired him all the more for such independence. "Lord Ardleigh----" began the vicar, when the other cut him short.