es," he said. "You know very well. Tell
me, I'll make it worth your while."

He felt angry with himself for speaking in this way, but he had lost his
self-control.

"I don't know, sir," repeated the man.

"When did they go?"

"Last night, sir."

"What time?"

"I didn't notice, sir," and he prepared to close the door.

"Come now, you are not to get away like this. Listen to me a minute
longer." He spoke in his old tone of command, and the man instinctively
felt like obeying.

"You say they went away last night. Was it late?"

"Yes, sir--that is, I didn't notice the time."

"But late?"

"Yes, sir--that is, I should think so; but as I said----"

"They went abroad?"

"Yes, sir--that is, they didn't tell me."

"But you have some idea where they are gone?"

The man was silent.

Leicester took a step nearer, while the man shrank back.

"No, my man," he said, "you are not going till you tell me what you
know."

The old servant looked around fearfully, and then said:

"I know nothing, sir; nobody knows anything."

"Don't tell any more lies. They must have letters forwarded."

"The housekeeper may know, sir."

"The housekeeper is at home?"

"Yes, sir."

"Let me see her."

"No, sir. You must see no one in the house. Sorry, sir, but orders is
orders."

"You have received orders about me?"

"Yes, sir."

"When?"

"Sorry, sir; but last night, sir. You were to be ordered away if you
came."

Leicester laughed bitterly.

"Ah, I see. Mr. and Miss Castlemaine left last night, and they told no
one but the housekeeper where they were going, but they gave orders that
the dogs were to be set upon me."

"Not quite so bad as that, sir, but----"

"I see. Yes, I understand."

"You see Miss Castlemaine is very ill, sir," said the man, as though he
recollected something. "Of course that was why the wedding couldn't take
place. A sort of stroke I think it was."

Leicester laughed aloud.

"Good," he said, "and Mr. and Miss Castlemaine are gone away together?"

"With Mr. Sackville, the minister, sir."

"Oh, the parson, eh! Good. Was she _very_ much worse after I left
yesterday?"

"I never saw her, sir. I know nothing. All I know is, that they're gone
away for a goodish bit, but where they're gone I don't know. But I did
have orders to send you away. I'm very sorry, sir. Will you excuse me
now, sir? I have my dooties."

Leicester took a sovereign from his pocket, and threw it to the man.

"All