our brain clear, and all your
susceptibilities fresh. Moreover, I want you to come with me for an
early walk, during which we may notice, whilst the matter is fresh in our
minds, the peculiar disposition of this place--not merely your
grand-uncle's estate, but the lie of the country around it. There are
many things on which we may seek--and perhaps find--enlightenment. The
more we know at the start, the more things which may come into our view
will develop themselves."

CHAPTER III--DIANA'S GROVE

Curiosity took Adam Salton out of bed in the early morning, but when he
had dressed and gone downstairs; he found that, early as he was, Sir
Nathaniel was ahead of him. The old gentleman was quite prepared for a
long walk, and they started at once.

Sir Nathaniel, without speaking, led the way to the east, down the hill.
When they had descended and risen again, they found themselves on the
eastern brink of a steep hill. It was of lesser height than that on
which the Castle was situated; but it was so placed that it commanded the
various hills that crowned the ridge. All along the ridge the rock
cropped out, bare and bleak, but broken in rough natural castellation.
The form of the ridge was a segment of a circle, with the higher points
inland to the west. In the centre rose the Castle, on the highest point
of all. Between the various rocky excrescences were groups of trees of
various sizes and heights, amongst some of which were what, in the early
morning light, looked like ruins. These--whatever they were--were of
massive grey stone, probably limestone rudely cut--if indeed they were
not shaped naturally. The fall of the ground was steep all along the
ridge, so steep that here and there both trees and rocks and buildings
seemed to overhang the plain far below, through which ran many streams.

Sir Nathaniel stopped and looked around, as though to lose nothing of the
effect. The sun had climbed the eastern sky and was making all details
clear. He pointed with a sweeping gesture, as though calling Adam's
attention to the extent of the view. Having done so, he covered the
ground more slowly, as though inviting attention to detail. Adam was a
willing and attentive pupil, and followed his motions exactly, missing--or
trying to miss--nothing.

"I have brought you here, Adam, because it seems to me that this is the
spot on which to begin our investigations. You have now in front of you
almost the whole of t