hed.

"I prefer to follow the example of my ancestors and look upon you as a
hostage awaiting ransom."

"Then all that talk of yours about getting me out of danger was
bunkum?"

"Your phraseology is offensively modern, but your conclusions are
correct," the Marquis acknowledged. "We could think of no other way in
which you might be induced to enter the prison tower of Kelsoton,
bearing in mind your suspicions of Montague and Hartwell."

Jacob stood on tiptoe and looked through the bars. The mien of the
Marquis was as composed as his tone. A paste stone in the buckle which
fastened his tartan glittered in the dim light.

"Lord Delchester," he said, "I have only a commoner's ideas of
hospitality. Is it in accordance with your sense of honour to decoy
and imprison a guest in order to subject him to ill-treatment from a
couple of curs like Montague and Hartwell?"

The Marquis was unperturbed.

"My dear Mr. Pratt," he replied, "conduct which would perhaps not
commend itself to you, with your more limited outlook, has been
hallowed to the members of my family by the customs of a thousand
years. The great Roderick Currie, my grandfather many times removed in
the direct line, invited here once seven lairds of the neighbouring
country for some marriage celebrations. You will find their initials
carved somewhere near the right-hand window. Four of them escaped with
the loss of half their estates. The remaining three, I regret to say,
were unreasonable. Two of them were drowned and one was stabbed."

"What are the terms of my release?" Jacob demanded.

"It is not within my province to discuss financial details," the
Marquis answered stiffly. "Mr. Montague will probably visit you during
the day. I bid you good morning."

CHAPTER XXI

Jacob watched the departure of his host, through a slit in the wall,
with fascinated eyes. First of all he saw him paddle across the
channel to the other side, secure the boat and pause to light a
cigarette. Afterwards, on his way back to the Castle, he entered the
walled gardens, plucked a peach from the wall and ate it. Finally he
disappeared down one of the yew-bordered walks. The house still seemed
wrapped in slumber. Jacob took stock of his surroundings. The walls
which, to judge from the slits, were about three feet thick, were of
rude granite. There was no fireplace, no chair, no furniture of any
sort. The floor was of cold stone. The place in itself was enough to
strike a