ld; but the principal must have power to act, before the
deputy can exercise authority. It appears to me that this is a case, in
which each party stands on his own rights, at his own peril. The
possession of the farms is safe enough, for the time being, with the
tenants; but as to the Hall and Park, there would seem to be no one in
the legal occupancy. This makes a case in which title is immediately
available."

"Such is the law, Mr. Furlong, and I advise Sir Wycherly to take
possession of the key of the outer door at once, as master of the
tenement."

No sooner was this opinion given, than Wycherly left the room, followed
by all present to the hall. Here he proceeded alone to the vestibule,
locked the great door of the building, and put the key in his pocket.
This act was steadily performed, and in a way to counteract, in a great
degree, the effect on the domestics, of Tom's promises concerning the
legacies. At the same moment, Furlong whispered something in the ear of
Sir Reginald.

"Now you are quietly in possession, Sir Wycherly," said the latter,
smiling; "there is no necessity of keeping us all prisoners in order to
maintain your claims. David, the usual porter, Mr. Furlong tells me, is
a faithful servant, and if he will accept of the key as _your_ agent it
may be returned to him with perfect legal safety."

As David cheerfully assented to this proposition, the key was put into
his hands again, and the new Sir Wycherly was generally thought to be in
possession. Nor did Tom dare to raise the contemplated question of his
own legitimacy before Sir Reginald, who, he had discovered, possessed a
clue to the facts; and he consequently suppressed, for the moment at
least, the certificate of marriage he had so recently forged. Bowing
round to the whole company, therefore, with a sort of sarcastic
compliance, he stalked off to his own room with the air of an injured
man. This left our young hero in possession of the field; but, as the
condition of the house was not one suitable to an unreasonable display
of triumph, the party soon separated; some to consult concerning the
future, some to discourse of the past, and all to wonder, more or less,
at the present.

CHAPTER XVI.

"Let winds be shrill, let waves roll high,
I fear not wove nor wind;
Yet marvel not, Sir Childe, that I
Am sorrowful of mind."

CHILDE HAROLD.

"Well, Sir Jarvy," said Galleygo, following on the heels of the tw