door.

"What's the matter?"

"I don't know. Father has had letters, I suppose, that have upset him."

"But he said something about the king--and rallying round him."

"Yes."

"Well, never mind that. Shall we get the boat out to-morrow morning,
and have a hunt along the side of the lake? We must find that archway."

"Yes, of course."

"What time shall I come--directly after breakfast?"

"Yes, and I'll have the boat baled out. She's half full of water. Job
for Nat."

"Then I'll run home now. Good night.--Good night."

The second good night came from half-way to the west end of the lake, as
Fred ran on down to the narrow track which skirted the water-side.

"He will not go and hunt for it by himself," said Scarlett,
thoughtfully, as he turned to go in, little thinking what a shadow was
falling over his home. "No," he added laconically, "too dark;" and,
after a glance toward the woodlands at the east end of the gate, he
entered the house whistling merrily.

CHAPTER TEN.

CAPTAIN MILES.

Fred's way across the fields to the Manor was among sweet autumn scents,
and with moth and bird taking his attention at almost every step.

The white owl was out, with its peculiar grating cry; so was the tawny
owl, breaking forth into its loud hail--_hoi-hoi-hoi_! Skimming about
the oak-trees he saw the nightjars again, every swoop meaning death to
some unfortunate moth or beetle.

But all these objects were too familiar to call for more than a passing
glance as the boy hurried on. Down in the hollows the mists were
gathering and floating a little way above the ground, as if there were a
fire near, while far away in the east a bright planet burned like silver
opposite to the warm glow left in the west.

"Hurrah! there we are," cried Fred, as he topped the last hill, and
looked down at the lights which showed where home lay; and he was not
long in getting over the ground, almost quicker than he was satisfied
with, for he was making his plans for the next morning respecting the
discovery of the entrance to the passage.

For the whole of the incidents in connection with the secret chamber had
thoroughly excited him, and he felt as if he could not rest till he had
found out everything about the place.

To his great surprise, as he entered the house, he found that supper was
not begun.

"Been waiting for me, mother?" he cried to the calm, sweet-faced lady
seated working by the light of rather a dim candle.