double-thick walls, and a southern aspect, if you should consider it
advisable."

"Undoubtedly I do. If the moving can be done without danger; and of that
you are the proper judge, of course."

Thus they composed their little disagreement, with mutual respect, and
some approaches to good-will; and Sir Duncan Yordas, being skillfully
removed, spent his Christmas (without knowing much about it) in the best
and warmest bedroom in the rectory. But Mordacks returned, as an
honest man should do, to put the laurel and the mistletoe on his proper
household gods. And where can this be better done than in that grand
old city, York? But before leaving Flamborough, he settled the claims
of business and charity, so far as he could see them, and so far as the
state of things permitted.

Foiled as he was in his main object by the murder of the revenue
officer, and the consequent flight of Robin Lyth, he had thoroughly
accomplished one part of his task, the discovery of the Golconda's fate,
and the history of Sir Duncan's child. Moreover, his trusty agents, Joe
of the Monument, and Bob his son, had relieved him of one thorny care,
by the zeal and skill with which they worked. It was to them a sweet
instruction to watch, encounter, and drink down a rogue who had scuttled
a ship, and even defeated them at their own weapons, and made a text of
them to teach mankind. Dr. Upround had not exaggerated the ardor with
which they discharged their duty.

But Mordacks still had one rogue on hand, and a deeper one than Rickon
Goold. In the course of his visits to Bridlington Quay, he had managed
to meet John Cadman, preferring, as he always did, his own impressions
to almost any other evidence. And his own impressions had entirely borne
out the conviction of Widow Carroway. But he saw at once that this man
could not be plied with coarse weapons, like the other worn-out villain.
He reserved him as a choice bit for his own skill, and was careful not
to alarm him yet. Only two things concerned him, as immediate in the
matter--to provide against Cadman's departure from the scene, and to
learn all the widow had to tell about him.

The widow had a great deal to say about that man; but had not said it
yet, from want of power so to do. Mordacks himself had often stopped
her, when she could scarcely stop herself; for until her health should
be set up again, any stir of the mind would be dangerous. But now, with
the many things provided for her, good