d been
put on. It was not easy to cut it, partly from the constant danger of
hurting her swollen hand, partly that the rust filled and blunted the
file.

"There!" he said at last, "you are free! And now, my lady, you must
take some rest. The door to the passage is secure. Lock this one
inside, and I will draw the sofa across it outside: if he come
wandering in the night, and get into this room, he will not reach your
door."

Weary as he was, Donal could not sleep much. In the middle of the night
he heard the earl's door open, and watched and followed him. He went to
the oak door, and tried in vain to open it.

"She has taken it!" he muttered, in what seemed to Donal an awe-struck
voice.

All night long he roamed the house a spirit grievously tormented. In
the gray of the morning, having perhaps persuaded himself that the
whole affair was a trick of his imagination, he went back to his room.

In the morning Donal left the house, having first called to Arctura and
warned her to lock the door of the sitting-room the moment he was gone.
He ran all the way down to the inn, paid his bill, bought some things
in the town for their breakfast, and taking the mare, rode up to the
castle, and rang the bell. No notice was taken. He went and put up his
animal, then let himself into the house by Baliol's tower, and began to
sing. So singing he went up the great stair, and into and along the
corridor where the earl lay.

The singing roused him, and brought him to his door in a rage. But the
moment he saw Donal his countenance fell.

"What the devil are you doing here?" he said.

"They told me in the town you were in England, my lord!"

"I wrote to you," said the earl, "that we were gone to London, and that
you need be in no haste to return. I trust you have not brought Davie
with you?"

"I have not, my lord."

"Then make what haste back to him you can. He must not be alone with
bumpkins! You may stay there with him till I send for you--only mind
you go on with your studies. Now be off. I am at home but for a few
hours on business, and leave again by the afternoon coach!"

"I do not go, my lord, until I have seen my mistress."

"Your mistress! Who, pray, is your mistress!"

"I am no longer in your service, my lord."

"Then what, in the name of God, have you done with my son?"

"In good time, my lord, when you have told me where my mistress is! I
am in this house as lady Arctura's servant; and I desire to know where