roceed at a quicker pace. He had still a long walk
by the uplands towards Mardykes Hall before he descended to the level of
the lake.
The mist was still quite thick enough to circumscribe his view and to
hide the general features of the landscape; and well was it, perhaps,
for Sir Bale that his boyhood had familiarised him with the landmarks on
the mountain-side.
He had made nearly four miles on his solitary homeward way, when,
passing under a ledge of rock which bears the name of the Cat's Skaitch,
he saw the same figure in the short cloak standing within some thirty or
forty yards of him--the thin curtain of mist, through which the
moonlight touched it, giving to it an airy and unsubstantial character.
Sir Bale came to a standstill. The man in the short cloak nodded and
drew back, and was concealed by the angle of the rock.
Sir Bale was now irritated, as men are after a start, and shouting to
the stranger to halt, he 'slapped' after him, as the northern phrase
goes, at his best pace. But again he was gone, and nowhere could he see
him, the mist favouring his evasion.
Looking down the fells that overhang Mardykes Hall, the mountain-side
dips gradually into a glen, which, as it descends, becomes precipitous
and wooded. A footpath through this ravine conducts the wayfarer to the
level ground that borders the lake; and by this dark pass Sir Bale
Mardykes strode, in comparatively clear air, along the rocky path
dappled with moonlight.
As he emerged upon the lower ground he again encountered the same
figure. It approached. It was Philip Feltram.
CHAPTER XIV
A New Philip Feltram
The Baronet had not seen Feltram since his strange escape from death.
His last interview with him had been stern and threatening; Sir Bale
dealing with appearances in the spirit of an incensed judge, Philip
Feltram lamenting in the submission of a helpless despair.
Feltram was full in the moonlight now, standing erect, and smiling
cynically on the Baronet.
There was that in the bearing and countenance of Feltram that
disconcerted him more than the surprise of the sudden meeting.
He had determined to meet Feltram in a friendly way, whenever that not
very comfortable interview became inevitable. But he was confused by the
suddenness of Feltram's appearance; and the tone, cold and stern, in
which he had last spoken to him came first, and he spoke in it after a
brief silence.
"I fancied, Mr. Feltram, you were in your
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