hether he should
be brought under restraint--Sir William, I am no fit judge," I
concluded.

"I Will be the judge," said he. "I ask for facts. Was there, in all that
jargon, any word of truth or sanity? Do you hesitate?" he asked. "Am I
to understand you have buried this gentleman before?"

"Not buried," said I; and then, taking up courage at last, "Sir
William," said I, "unless I were to tell you a long story, which much
concerns a noble family (and myself not in the least), it would be
impossible to make this matter clear to you. Say the word, and I will do
it, right or wrong. And, at any rate, I will say so much, that my lord
is not so crazy as he seems. This is a strange matter, into the tail of
which you are unhappily drifted."

"I desire none of your secrets," replied Sir William; "but I will be
plain, at the risk of incivility, and confess that I take little
pleasure in my present company."

"I would be the last to blame you," said I, "for that."

"I have not asked either for your censure or your praise, sir," returned
Sir William. "I desire simply to be quit of you; and to that effect, I
put a boat and complement of men at your disposal."

"This is fairly offered," said I, after reflection. "But you must suffer
me to say a word upon the other side. We have a natural curiosity to
learn the truth of this affair; I have some of it myself; my lord (it is
very plain) has but too much. The matter of the Indian's return is
enigmatical."

"I think so myself," Sir William interrupted, "and I propose (since I go
in that direction) to probe it to the bottom. Whether or not the man has
gone like a dog to lie upon his master's grave, his life, at least, is
in great danger, and I propose, if I can, to save it.--There is nothing
against his character?"

"Nothing, Sir William," I replied.

"And the other?" he said. "I have heard my lord, of course; but, from
the circumstances of his servant's loyalty, I must suppose he had some
noble qualities."

"You must not ask me that!" I cried. "Hell may have noble flames. I have
known him a score of years, and always hated, and always admired, and
always slavishly feared him."

"I appear to intrude again upon your secrets," said Sir William,
"believe me, inadvertently. Enough that I will see the grave, and (if
possible) rescue the Indian. Upon these terms, can you persuade your
master to return to Albany?"

"Sir William," said I, "I will tell you how it is. You do not see m