"They were too slow in laying hands upon him. He waited until he
saw that they had brought it home to him, and then he fled. He has
never been seen since, but it is said that he reached America."

"And the ghost walks?"

"There are many who have seen it."

"Why is the house still empty?"

"Because it is in the keeping of the law. Lord Avon had no
children, and Sir Lothian Hume--the same who was at the card-party--
is his nephew and heir. But he can touch nothing until he can prove
Lord Avon to be dead."

Jim lay silent for a bit, plucking at the short grass with his
fingers.

"Roddy," said he at last, "will you come with me to-night and look
for the ghost?"

It turned me cold, the very thought of it.

"My mother would not let me."

"Slip out when she's abed. I'll wait for you at the smithy."

"Cliffe Royal is locked."

"I'll open a window easy enough."