'Not a human being on this earth.'

'And that aunt,--that Jacob?'

'Didn't you guess it? They are both dead. I rowed them out by night
and buried them,--my poor old sister and the boy who had been our
serving-lad. The child knows nothing of death. I told her they had
gone away.'

'Is there no way for her to cross, to the islands or mainland?'

'No; there is a circle of deep water all around the castle, outside.'

'I see nothing for it, then, but to try to save your justly forfeited
life,' said Waring, kneeling down with an expression of repugnance. He
was something of a surgeon, and knew what he, was about. His task
over, he made up the fire, warmed some food, fed the old man, and
helped his waning strength with the contents of his flask. 'At least
you placed all my property in the dug-out before you set me adrift,'
he said; 'may I ask your motive?'

'I did not wish to harm you; only to get rid of you. You had
provisions, and your chances were as good as many you had had in the
woods.'

'But I might have found my way back to your castle?'

'Once outside, you could never do that,' replied the old man,
securely.