aken the one brother for the other,
and the result had been a struggle between them, ending in this? The idea
rushed into his mind, and a dark flush overspread his face.

"You have no grounds for thinking that man--you know who I mean--attacked
my brother a second time?"

"No, I have no grounds for it," shortly answered Pike.

"He was near to the spot at the time; I saw him there," continued Lord
Hartledon, speaking apparently to himself; whilst the flush, painfully
red and dark, was increasing rather than diminishing.

"I know you did," returned Pike.

The tone grated on Lord Hartledon's ear. It implied that the man might
become familiar, if not checked; and, with all his good-natured
affability, he was not one to permit it; besides, his position was
changed, and he could not help feeling that it was. "Necessity makes us
acquainted with strange bedfellows," says the very true proverb; and what
might have been borne yesterday would not be borne to-day.

"Let me understand you," he said, and there was a stern decision in his
tone and manner that surprised Pike. "Have you any reason whatever to
suspect that man of having injured, or attempted to injure my brother?"

"_I_'ve not," answered Pike. "I never saw him nearer to the mill
yesterday than he was when he looked at us. I don't think he went nearer.
My lord, if I knew anything against the man, I'd tell it out, and be
glad. I hate the whole tribe. _He_ wouldn't make the mistake again,"
added Pike, half-contemptuously. "He knew which was his lordship fast
enough to-day, and which wasn't."

"Then what did you mean by insinuating that the blow on the temple was
the result of violence?"

"I didn't say it was: I said it might have been. I don't know a thing, as
connected with this business, against a mortal soul. It's true, my lord."

"Perhaps, then, you will leave this room," said Lord Hartledon.

"I'm going. And many thanks to your lordship for not having turned me
from it before, and for letting me have my say. Thanks to _you_, sir," he
added, as he went out of the room and passed Hedges, who was waiting in
the hall.

Hedges closed the door after him, and turned to receive a reprimand from
his new master.

"Before you admit such men as that into the most sacred chamber the house
at present contains, you will ask my permission, Hedges."

Hedges attempted to excuse himself. "He was so very earnest, my lord; he
declared to me he had a good motive in wanting t