"No, my lord, bless your heart! he didn't," said the giantess; "and but that he had your letter, which was as plain as print----" "And _was_ print," interpolated Dick, remembering his caligraphy adapted to the brains of Mrs. Moon. "I shouldn't have let him in. But your lordship said he was to have the best room, and the best room he has, to say nothing of your lordship's clothes, he having arrived in tatters like a tramp, which he isn't from the princely looks of him. No one knows as he is here, he having asked me to say nothing. But Victoria----" "What about her?" asked Conniston, rather sharply, for Victoria was a small servant, preternaturally sharp and mighty curious. "She's allays asking questions as to what he's doing here." "Then, don't answer her questions." "I don't," said Mrs. Moon, plaintively, "and but that she's so strong I'd smack her hard. But only Jerry could manage her, and, bless me! your dear lordship, he's earning his bread in London, though I haven't heard of him for months." "He's not in the place I obtained for him," said Conniston, stopping at the door of the room indicated by the housekeeper. "He's robbed the till and bolted." Mrs. Moon was not all disturbed. "Just like his poor father, my second son," said she, shaking the frilled cap again. "He was a wonderful boy for money and never minded how he got it. Have they jailed Jerry?" she asked, with great simplicity. Conniston could hardly help smiling at the calm way in which she took the report of her grandson's wickedness. "No, his master turned him out and gave him another chance." "Bless and preserve your dear lordship, Jerry won't take no chance, as I always said, being advised by the cards. It's the gallers that boy will come to, and may I not be here to see him dangling at the end of a rope, much as he may deserve it. Jerry's a bad 'un, for sure, and takes after my old man's side of the family, several having been choked by the lawr for thieving and murdering and otherwise taking their enjoyment. Where is he now?" "I don't know, Mrs. Moon. But if he comes here, don't you let him into the castle and don't you let him know that Mr.--Mr. Grant"--Dick gave Bernard a new name for the sake of concealment--"is here." "Grant!" echoed Mrs. Moon. "But he don't look Scotch." "Never you mind what he is. You hold your tongue and make Victoria hold hers." "Only Jerry can manage her," said Mrs. Moon, firmly, "me not being strong enough for such a tearing cat. If your lordship would speak yourself----" "I'll see to it," interrupted Conniston, quickly. "I'm stopping here for the night, Mrs. Moon. Can you give me and Mr.--er--Grant a good dinner?" "I'll cook it myself, Victoria being fond of burning things and her pastery being lead for heaviness. The wine your lordship knows----" "Is there any of that port left?" "Plenty, save what Jerry drank, he being fond of his glass."