the
table, and folded his arms. "I came," he said, "to tell you, Colonel
Churchill, and you, Major Edward, you who were my brother's friends and
my father's friends, I came to tell you that I shall apply for and
obtain a warrant for the arrest of Lewis Rand."

The words fell heavily, and when they were spoken, there was a silence
in the library. Major Edward broke it. "You are determined, and I waste
no breath in challenging the inevitable. So be it! The child will come
home to us, Dick."

The elder brother walked the length of the room and paused before the
picture of Henry Churchill. When at last he turned, his ruddy face was
pale, his eyes wet. "Henry was a proud man. We grow old, and we grow to
be thankful that the dead are dead! Well, Edward, well! we've weathered
much--I reckon we can weather more." He halted at the glass door and
stared out into the flowering garden. "My little Jack!" he muttered, and
drew his hand across his eyes.

Cary spoke from where he yet stood beside the table. "I am aware--how
can I be other than aware?--of the sorrow and anxiety which I bring upon
this house. As regards myself, you have but to indicate your wishes,
sir. I will come no more to Fontenoy, if my coming is unwelcome. One
interest here I confidently entrust to your generosity. For the rest I
will bow to your decision. If you tell me so, sir, I will come no
more--though Fontenoy is well nigh as dear to me as Greenwood, and
though I love and honour every inmate here."

His voice broke a little. There was a silence, then Colonel Dick swung
around from the glass door. "Don't talk damned nonsense, Fair," he said
gruffly.

Major Edward spoke from the old green chair. "We'll bring no unnecessary
factors into this business, Fairfax. I don't conceive that it is
necessary for us to quarrel. It is not you who have wrought the
harm--that burden rests elsewhere. Have you seen Unity?"

"No, sir."

"Then we had better send for her." The Major rose and pulled the
bell-rope. "Some one must go to Roselands. When do you propose to act?"

"Very soon, sir. Almost at once. I anticipate no resistance and no
flight. I'll give him his due. He is bold and he is ready, and the court
room is his chosen field, where his gods fight for him. He'll give
battle."

The last of the Greenwood Carys moved from his place, walked to the
window, and stood there in the light from the north. "Before Unity
comes, sir, there is something I would like to say