Part 37 (1/2)

The baronet was perfectly polite, if not cordial, to him during the evening, and next morning he asked him if he would again ride over to Hurlston.

Algernon apologised for not accompanying him on the plea of illness.

Headland could not help suspecting that he was sent to be kept out of Julia's way; and but for her sake and Harry's, he would at once have left Texford.

He spent the day by first going to the village, and then calling at Downside, after which he took a long ride over the Downs to the south, whence he could see the cutter should she return.

Again, however, he was doomed to disappointment.

On his way back he met Mr Grooc.o.c.k, and begging the steward to accompany him, mentioned what he had heard about Gaffin.

”The man is a mystery to me, Captain Headland. I believe him to be all you have heard. But he has possession of the mill, and until his lease is up the law will not allow us to turn him out. The law, you see, captain, a.s.sists rogues as well as honest men, provided they keep within it, and there is no evidence we can bring to prove that he is what people say he is. If smuggled goods were found in his mill they would be seized, or if his vessel was taken with contraband aboard she would be captured, and there would be an end of her, and if it is true that his people have carried off the fisherman's son, they will be punished, but the law cannot touch him or his vessel for that, and so, you see, he will laugh at us, as he has done for these years past. But the master he serves will play him a scurvy trick in the end, as he does all his willing slaves, I have no manner of doubt. But, in the meantime, if he keeps his wits awake, as he has. .h.i.therto done, he may do all sorts of things with impunity.”

To the truth of these remarks Headland agreed.

As they rode on Mr Grooc.o.c.k kept frequently looking up at him.

”If it's not an impertinent question, Captain Headland, may I ask if you have been in this part of the country before?”

”No,” answered Headland. ”I have been very little in England at all. I was born abroad, and have been at sea the greater part of my life.”

”Of course--of course; I ought to have thought of that,” said Mr Grooc.o.c.k to himself; then he added, ”I beg your pardon, captain, but you remind me of some one I knew in former years--that made me ask the question without thinking; you are much younger than he would have been by this time.”

Headland would willingly have enquired of whom the steward spoke, but the old man at once abruptly changed the conversation, and they shortly afterwards reached the gates of Texford.

The evening pa.s.sed by much as the previous one had done, though Lady Castleton and Julia had become still more anxious at not seeing Harry.

Julia thought of poor May, who would, she knew, feel still more anxious, and she resolved, if possible, to go over to Downside the next day to see her, and show her sympathy.

CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT.

ALARMS.

The family had retired to rest. Headland, however, was sitting up, feeling no inclination to sleep, and having numerous subjects to occupy his mind. He looked at his watch. It was one o'clock.

”After all, the only course which honour dictates lies straight before me. I would not persuade Julia to marry me without her father's consent; and if he withholds it I shall remain pledged to her, and go to sea till he withdraws his opposition.”

At that moment the hall door bell rang a loud peal. Taking his lamp Headland went downstairs, hoping to find that Harry had returned. As no servant had appeared, he commenced withdrawing the bolts. Not being accustomed to the operation, he was some time about it.

”Bear a hand, let me in as fast as you can,” said a voice. It was Harry's. He spoke in a hurried and excited tone.

Headland succeeded at last, and Harry staggered in, looking very pale.

There was blood on his coat-sleeve and down his side.

”My dear fellow, what has happened?” exclaimed Headland.

”I have been attacked by highwaymen or ruffians of some sort, and though I beat them off, one of them sent a bullet through my side, and another gave me an ugly slash with a hanger. Thanks to my good steed, and a stout stick I carried instead of my whip, I kept them at bay till I got clear away.”

”Come to your room at once then, and have your hurts looked to; you seem weak from loss of blood.”