no; I should have been sorry if the fellow had been killed," said
Lord Reginald. "All I wanted was to take him prisoner, and send him off
with the rest to sea, for I suppose that will be the lot of all who are
fit to serve. However, as we are not likely to see more of him for the
present, I shall be glad to get home. This arm of mine hurts me
fearfully."

They again put their horses into a gallop, and continued on until they
reached the end of the glade, which led out on the high road. Lord
Reginald bore the pain manfully; indeed, it was surprising that he did
not faint and fall from his horse. The trotting along the road was even
worse than the gallop, and at last he had to tell Voules to stop and
walk. It was nearly two o'clock in the morning when they reached the
hall. They found Lord and Lady Elverston, with Lord John, sitting up
for them.

"Most thankful to see you back," said Lord Elverston, who came out to
meet them; "we were too anxious to go to bed. One of the grooms had
brought word that there had been a desperate fight between the revenue
men and the smugglers, and that there had been a number of killed and
wounded. Good Heavens! what is the matter? You look very pale. Are
you hurt?"

"Yes, but not in the fight," answered Reginald, as he entered the
drawing-room and sank into a chair. He then described the encounter
with Richard Hargrave.

"The young ruffian must be punished," exclaimed the marquis. "It is
evident that he is leagued with the smugglers, and this last outrage
shows his desperate character. Do you feel much pain?"

"Very much; indeed, I fear that my arm is broken," answered Lord
Reginald.

On hearing this Lady Elverston came to his side. "My dear boy, I trust
not," she said; "you must go to bed, and let Mrs Cross and me examine
your arm."

"If it is broken we must send off for a surgeon immediately," said the
marquis.

"I would rather have some supper first. I dare say so would Voules, for
we both of us felt very hungry as we came along, and I hope after all,
no bone is broken."

The tray was at once brought up, and though Voules did ample justice to
the viands it contained, Lord Reginald, after making several ineffectual
attempts to eat, had to confess that the pain overpowered him, and he
allowed himself to be led off to his room by his mother and brother.

Mrs Cross, the housekeeper, was soon in attendance, having evidently,
by the way her dress was put on, with