ut the
fiery Buccaneer was the first to speak.

"And you are here, Sir Willmott! and for no good, or your face would not
be so smooth, or your lip so smiling. Where, sir--where, I say--is your
prisoner?"

"My prisoner, good Captain! I had no prisoner."

"Death and d--n! Sir Willmott, dare not to trifle with me. Where is the
young man? where is Walter De Guerre? You know; you _must_ know. Why
come you here silently, secretly? Answer me, Sir Willmott Burrell. Where
is the young man?"

"Captain Dalton," replied Sir Willmott, "although your anxiety about
this malignant convinces me that you are not the man my friendship
thought you, yet I confess that I came here for the express purpose of
forwarding his escape. Doubt me if you will; but see, I am unarmed, and
here is the secret key for unfastening the grating, which I suppose you,
and my quondam servant, have so unceremoniously removed."

Dalton looked at him, and then at the key, which he took from his hand
and scrupulously examined.

"Sir Willmott Burrell," he said, after a few moments' deliberation, "why
did you this? You are not one to do an act of good--whatever you might
of evil--for its own sake."

"Why?" repeated Burrell.

"Ay, why? Your motive, sir--your motive?"

"Motive? What motive had you for bringing over this fly-away Cavalier,
and, when I questioned you, denying any knowledge of the youth?"

"Sir Willmott, my question was first asked, and must be first answered."

"Then, sir," replied Burrell, drawing himself up, "let it be enough that
such was my pleasure. Now, Captain, your answer to my question."

"Your answer will save me the trouble," replied the Buccaneer, with as
much height, if not as much dignity of manner. "Apply it in the same
way."

"I must call you to account for this, as well as other matters; but now,
think that considering who sleeps under this roof, it would be only wise
to withdraw. It is somewhat upon my mind, despite your well-feigned
surprise, that you have spirited away this fellow--if so----"

"Stuff, stuff!" interrupted the Buccaneer: "there has been here a
stronger spirit at work than either yours or mine; and, as to calling me
to account, you always know where I am to be found."

"I sought you there to-night on this very errand," replied the wily Sir
Willmott, "but you were absent."

"Still I repeat, you know where to find me. And now for my parting
words. Observe, I dread no meeting with any; you have more reas