him that his
crisis had come and was now facing him. Should he stay or should he
flee? Why should he not escape--away into the country, where he could
live his life without fear, where there would be no contempt, no
hampering family traditions? Should he stay and wait while Robin
learnt to hate him? At the thought his face grew white and he clenched
his hands. Robin ... Robin ... Robin ... it always came back to
that--and there seemed no answer. That dream of love between father
and son, the dream that he had cherished for twenty years, was
shattered, and the bubble had burst....

"So Joe said he didn't know but he thought it was to the left and down
through the Cove--to the old church he meant; and the man laughed and
danced with the leaves through the mist; and once Joe thought he was
gone, and there he was back again, laughin'."

No, he would face it. He would take his place as he had intended--he
would show them of what stuff he was made--and Robin would see, at
last. The boy was young, it would of course take time----

The door of the inn opened and some one came in. The lamps flared in
the wind, and there was a cry from the fireplace. "Mr. Bethel! Well,
I'm right glad!"

Harry started. Bethel--that had been the name of his friend--the girl
who had come to tea. The new-comer was a large man, over six feet in
height, and correspondingly broad. His head was bare, and his hair was
a little long and curly. His eyes were blue and twinkled, and his face
was pleasantly humorous and, in the mouth and chin, strong and
determined. He wore a grey flannel suit with a flannel collar, and he
was smoking a pipe of great size. Newsome, starting to his feet, went
forward to meet him. Bethel came to the fire and talked to them all;
there was obviously a free companionship between them that told of long
acquaintance. He was introduced to Harry.

"I've heard of you, Mr. Trojan," he said, "and have been expecting to
meet you. I think that we have interests in common--at least an
affection for Cornwall."

Harry liked him. He looked at him frankly between the eyes--there was
no hesitation or disguise; there had been no barrier or division; and
Harry was grateful.

Bethel sat down by the fire, and a discussion followed about matters of
which Harry knew nothing. There was talk of the fishing prospects,
which were bad; a gloom fell upon them all, and they cursed the new
Pendragon--the race had grown too fast f