r master."

"I shall not be afraid to ride him now. But I must go into the house."

Gilbert entered the house. He did not enter his uncle's presence at
once, but went up to his room and seated himself thoughtfully at the
window.

"Can it be that he meant to risk my life?" he said to himself. "I am in
his way, I know, but is he capable of such a crime?"

He could not decide. He was not prone to think evil of others, yet he
felt that it was necessary to be on his guard.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

ANOTHER PLOT.

"So he mastered Bucephalus," said James Grey, when alone with his son.
"He must be a splendid rider."

"I had no idea he was so used to horses," said Jasper. "He sat like a
rock, and did not seem in the least frightened."

"I begin to think he is more dangerous than I at first supposed. Did he
appear to suspect anything when the horse began to behave badly?"

"I don't think he did."

"He may be surprised that we should give him that horse when we don't
ride it ourselves."

"He doesn't know that. He asked me if I ever rode Bucephalus, and I
told him yes, but not often, as I preferred my own horse."

"That will do, if John doesn't undeceive him."

"John is a meddlesome fellow," said Jasper, in a tone of vexation. "He
tried to persuade him not to ride Bucephalus."

"John makes a fool of himself. I am afraid he will arouse Gilbert's
suspicions. If he does, we must do what we can to allay them."

"What shall you do now, father?" inquired Jasper.

"I have not decided. When I have, I may not tell you."

"Why not?" asked Jasper, suspiciously.

"Not from any feeling of distrust, for we are both in the same boat,
and equally interested in frustrating your cousin's designs. But it may
be necessary to resort to strong--perhaps forcible measures--and it may
be well that you should be kept in entire ignorance of them. It is a
serious peril for both of us, this claim of Gilbert's, but more so to
you. I have already enjoyed the estate for a long time. In the course
of nature I have thirty-five years less of life to look forward to than
you. Therefore your interest is greater than mine."

"All right, father. Whatever you think best I am ready to agree to; but
if you need any help that I can give, just let me know."

"That shall be understood. Now, you had better go out and look for your
cousin. It is not best that John and he should be left to themselves
too long."

Jasper went out into the stable-yards,