rom the Castle to his own home; for as soon as the news
spread of the late adventure, Captain and Mrs Norton, who had passed an
anxious night, had themselves driven over to the Castle, and, in spite
of the doctor's remonstrance, insisted upon bringing their son away.

"I cannot help it, Challen," said Captain Norton--"the risk must be run.
You must do your best to avert danger, for he cannot stay here."

"As you will," said the doctor; and he proceeded to superintend the
young man's removal to the carriage.

Sir Murray Gernon knew of their coming, but he did not meet them. He
shut himself up in his study, and as Brace was being placed in the
carriage, McCray came forward, and handed a note to Captain Norton, who
started as he saw the cipher on the great seal.

He tore it open and read the following lines:

"Sir Murray Gernon feels it to be his duty to apologise to Captain
Norton for having done him _one_ grievous wrong. The Sapphire Cross was
stolen by Sir Murray's butler, and is once more in its owner's hands.

"Sir Murray Gernon asks Captain Norton's pardon."

Without a word, Captain Norton handed the note to his wife, who read it;
and then, with the proud blood rushing to her temples, she handed it
back, watching him to see what he would do.

There was a look almost of passion in Captain Norton's eye, and the
great broad scar looked red and angry, as he stood there biting his lip
for a few brief instants before he spoke.

The library door was ajar, and every word of his sharp, military speech
was plainly heard by the occupant, as, drawing himself up, Captain,
Norton turned to McCray.

"You are Sir Murray Gernon's confidential servant," he said. "I will
not write, but tell him this from me: he asks my pardon for a wrong, and
I have waited over twenty years till the truth should appear. I go now
to wait for the fellow-letter to this; when he shall ask my forgiveness
for another wrong, then I will send him my reply."

He turned and walked slowly and proudly down the great steps of the main
entrance, while their owner cowered in his room, shrinking back into the
far corner, as he watched and saw through the window that Isa was at the
carriage-door, holding one of Brace's hands in hers, as she looked
appealingly in Dr Challen's face. His brow darkened as he saw it, for
it seemed as if his efforts were to be set at nought, and that the more
he battled against the stream of events the more it swept him back.