self."

"It is no time for joking; I came here to meet my son. Have you found
him, or have you not?"

Sir Duncan sat down and gazed steadfastly at Mordacks. His self-command
had borne many hard trials; but the prime of his life was over now; and
strong as he looked, and thought himself, the searching wind had sought
and found weak places in a sun-beaten frame. But no man would be of
noble aspect by dwelling at all upon himself.

The quick intelligence of Mordacks--who was of smaller though admirable
type--entered into these things at a flash. And throughout their
interview he thought less of himself and more of another than was at all
habitual with him, or conducive to good work.

"You must bear with a very heavy blow," he said; "and it goes to my
heart to have to deal it."

Sir Duncan Yordas bowed, and said, "The sooner the better, my good
friend."

"I have found your son, as I promised you I would," replied Mordacks,
speaking rapidly; "healthy, active, uncommonly clever; a very fine
sailor, and as brave as Nelson; of gallant appearance--as might be
expected; enterprising, steadfast, respected, and admired; benevolent
in private life, and a public benefactor. A youth of whom the most
distinguished father might be proud. But--but--"

"Will you never finish?"

"But by the force of circumstances, over which he had no control, he
became in early days a smuggler, and rose to an eminent rank in that
profession."

"I do not care two pice for that; though I should have been sorry if he
had not risen."

"He rose to such eminence as to become the High Admiral of smugglers on
this coast, and attain the honors of outlawry."

"I look upon that as a pity. But still we may be able to rescind it. Is
there anything more against my son?"

"Unluckily there is. A commander of the Coastguard has been killed in
discharge of his duty; and Robin Lyth has left the country to escape a
warrant."

"What have we to do with Robin Lyth? I have heard of him everywhere--a
villain and a murderer."

"God forbid that you should say so! Robin Lyth is your only son."

The man whose word was law to myriads rose without a word for his own
case; he looked at his agent with a stern, calm gaze, and not a sign of
trembling in his lull broad frame, unless, perhaps, his under lip gave a
little soft vibration to the grizzled beard grown to meet the change of
climate.

"Unhappily so it is," said Mordacks, firmly meeting Sir Duncan's eyes.
"I h