from the boy himself, wherein I have weighty ends to serve.
Within a few days of your receipt of this letter, I look to
have the honour of waiting upon you. In the meanwhile,
honoured sir, believe that while I am, I am your obedient
servant,

JOSEPH ASHBURN

Across the narrow table the two men's glances met - Hogan's
full of concern and pity, Crispin's charged with amazement and
horror. A little while they sat thus, then Crispin rose slowly
to his feet, and with steps uncertain as a drunkard's he
crossed to the window. He pushed it open, and let the icy wind
upon his face and head, unconscious of its sting. Moments
passed, during which the knight went over the last few months
of his turbulent life since his first meeting at Perth with
Kenneth Stewart. He recalled how strangely and unaccountably
he had been drawn to the boy when first he beheld him in the
castle yard, and how, owing to a feeling for which he could not
account, since the lad's character had little that might
commend him to such a man as Crispin, he had contrived that
Kenneth should serve in his company.

He recalled how at first - aye, and often afterwards even - he
had sought to win the boy's affection, despite the fact that
there was naught in the boy that he truly admired, and much
that he despised. Was it possible that these his feelings were
dictated by Nature to his unconscious mind? It must indeed be
so, and the written words of Joseph Ashburn to Colonel Pride
were true. Kenneth was indeed his son; the conviction was upon