"What for?"

"To kill snakes!"

Sir Nathaniel laughed.

"I heard Lady Arabella's invitation to you to come to Diana's Grove."

"Well, what on earth has that got to do with it?"

"Nothing directly that I know of. But we shall see." Adam waited, and
the old man went on: "Have you by any chance heard the other name which
was given long ago to that place."

"No, sir."

"It was called--Look here, this subject wants a lot of talking over.
Suppose we wait till we are alone and have lots of time before us."

"All right, sir." Adam was filled with curiosity, but he thought it
better not to hurry matters. All would come in good time. Then the
three men returned home, leaving Mr. Caswall to spend the night in
Liverpool.

The following day the Lesser Hill party set out for Castra Regis, and for
the time Adam thought no more of Diana's Grove or of what mysteries it
had contained--or might still contain.

The guests were crowding in, and special places were marked for important
people. Adam, seeing so many persons of varied degree, looked round for