blishment was purchased by Tickleback, who, to
my own knowledge, had him regularly scourged."

"And how did he escape, do you know?" inquired the priest.

"I could tell you that, too, maybe," replied Skipton; "but I think, sir,
I have told you enough for the present. If that young man is living, I
would swear that he ought to stand in Sir Thomas Gourlay's shoes. And
now do you think, sir," he inquired, coming at last to the real object
of his communication, "that if his right could be made clear, any one
who'd help him to his own mightn't expect to be made comfortable for
life?"

"I don't think there's a doubt about it," replied the priest. "The
property is large, and he could well afford to be both generous and
grateful."

"I know," returned the man, "that he is both one and the other, if he
had it in his power."

"Well," said the priest, seriously; "mark my words--this may be the most
fortunate day you ever saw. In the mane time, keep a close mouth. The
friends of that identical boy are on the search for him this moment.
They had given him up for dead; but it is not long since they discovered
that he was living. I will see you again on this subject."

"I am now a constable," said the man, "attached to the office you were
in to-day, and I can be heard of any time."

"Very well," replied the priest, "you shall hear either from me or from
some person interested in the recovery of the boy that's lost."

CHAPTER XXVII. Lucy calls upon Lady Gourlay, where she meets her Lover

Sir Thomas, who shams Illness, is too sharp for Mrs. Mainwaring, who
visits Him--Affecting interview between Lucy and Lady Gourlay

Lucy Gourlay, anxious to relieve her father's mind as much as it was in
her power to do, wrote to him the day after the visit of Ensign Roberts
and old Sam to Summerfield Cottage. Her letter was affectionate, and
even tender, and not written without many tears, as was evident by
the blots and blisters which they produced upon the paper. She fully
corroborated the stranger's explanation to her father; for although
ignorant at the time that an interview had taken place between them,
she felt it to be her duty toward all parties to prevent, as far as her
testimony could go, the possibility of any misunderstanding upon the
subject. This letter was posted in Dublin, from an apprehension lest the
local post-office might furnish a clew to her present abode. The truth
was, she feared that if her father could tra