n last night, m' lord, and driven over this
morning."

"Has--has any one--has Sir Murray seen him, do you think?"

"Can't say, m' lord, but he drove up to the grand entrance quite cheeky,
in as wretched an old gig as ever your lordship see--saw," added the
valet, correcting himself.

"You'd better show him up," said his lordship, with a blank look of
misery in his face, as he first threw off, and then replaced, his silken
night-cap. "Say I'm ill, Willis."

"Yes, m' lord," said the valet, and he went out with his tongue in his
cheek. "I heered him say as he'd hold the string, that day he went away
from us in town, and it strikes me as he's come to pull it now. Step
this way, sir, if you please," he continued, entering the
breakfast-room, where he found Mr Braham making himself perfectly at
home with some coffee and "devilled" chicken, breakfast being a meal
that strangers at the Castle took at their pleasure. The meal was
prepared, and allowed to remain in the breakfast-room for a couple of
hours, ready for those who liked to partake thereof. Hence, Mr Braham,
being hungry from his early ride, judged himself to be one who would
like to partake, and acted accordingly.

"I'll have another cup of coffee first, my man," he said, coolly.
"Lordship quite well?"

"Well, no, sir," said the valet; "but if you'll step up, he'll see you
in his bed-room."

And, for his own sake, having his lord's future somewhat at heart, the
servant could not refrain from displaying his eagerness to get the
inopportune visitor away from the breakfast-room, lest Sir Murray or
some guest should encounter him.

"It's all right, my man--never mind me. I'm hungry, and if Sir Murray
Gernon does come, I'm only his lordship's confidential man of business,
d'yer see?"

The valet nodded, and stood staring while the early visitor displayed
his vigorous appetite.

"That the young lady I met in the hall?" said Mr Braham, coolly.

"Young lady, sir?" said the valet, inquiringly.

"Now, look here, my fine fellow," said the money-lender: "take my
advice. Keep friends with me, and, I think, it will be better for you
in the long run. I might find it necessary to write and ask you a few
questions, and I should expect satisfactory answers. I dare say you
have a pencil--haven't you?"

The valet nodded, while the visitor busied himself with his pocket-book.

"Look here, then! here's a scrap of paper for you to make memorandums
on, ready to tel