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He was already out of bed, waiting to be shaved; but I could see that he wasn't himself, for his hand trembled when I gave him his clothes, and he spoke very cool and calm like.

"Well," said he, "is it any letter you're bringing me?"

"Not a half a one, sir," said I.

"Then there's no talk down stairs as yet?" he went on.

"I haven't heard any," said I, "but Reubens, the constable, is on the lawn with Mr. Oakley, and they're busy talking."

"What can that be now?" he asked mighty eagerly.

"That's what I'm going to find out presently," exclaimed I. "There's a young chap in the village with more paper for us; perhaps he's come about him."

"So the hawks have scented us again," cried he, sitting in the chair to be shaved; "well, I don't care a crack for them. 'Tis this Heresford that's troubling me. If he's to come, Hildebrand, there should be word or message from him this morning."

"That's so, sir," said I; "if you hear nothing when the gong for lunch goes, you may make your mind easy."

"Otherwise, I suppose there's only one way."

"Only one, sir," said I.

He gave a great sigh, and let me shave him without a word. When I had done that, he bethought