but the woman, as the keepers will
tell, is ninety. She is his mother, and as they sit together, she
feeds him with sweets and fruit as tenderly as though he were a
child. He takes them, but never notices her, and when he has had
enough, rises abruptly and walks away humming a song which runs--

"So it's hey! for the homeward bound, my lads!
And ho! for the drunken crew,
For his mess-mates round lie dead and drowned,
And the devil has got his due, my lads--
Sing ho! but he waits for you!"

This is his only song now, and he will walk round the gravel paths by
the hour, singing it softly and muttering. Sometimes, however, he
will sit for long beside his mother and let her pat his hand.
They never speak.

Folks say that she is as mad as her son, but she lodges in the town
outside the walls and comes to see him every day. Certainly she is
as remarkable to look upon, for her skin is of a brilliant and
startling yellow, and her withered hands are loaded with diamonds.
As you pass, she will stare at you with eyes absolutely passionless
and vague; but see them as she sighs and turns to go, see them as she
watches for a responsive touch of love on her son's face, and you may
find some meaning in them then.

Mrs. Luttrell was never seen again from the hour when she stood below
the river steps and waved her white arms to me, crying "Kill him!
kill him!" I made every inquiry but could learn nothing, save that
my boat had been found floating below Gravesend, quite empty.
She can scarcely be alive, so that is yet one soul more added to the
account of the Great Ruby.

Failing to find her mother, I had Claire's body conveyed to
Polkimbra. She lies buried beside my father and mother in the
little churchyard there. Above her head stands a white stone with
the simple words, "In memory of C. L., died Dec. 23rd, 1863.
'Love is strong as death.'"

The folk at Polkimbra have many a fable about this grave, but if
pressed will shake their heads sagely and refer you to "Master
Trenoweth up yonder at Lantrig. Folks say she was a play-actor and
he loved her. Anyway you may see him up in the churchyard most days,
but dont'ee go nigh him then, unless you baint afeard of th'evil
eye."

And I? After the treasure was divided with Government, I still had
for my share what I suppose would be called a considerable fortune.
The only use to which I put it, however, was to buy back Lantrig, the
home of a st