ting the horses, to Lone.

He was most anxious to reach the "Arondelle Arms," to see if any telegram
from Detective Setter had reached the office for him.

So long as the road ran through the Firwood, and was comparatively smooth
and level, the coachman kept his horses at their best speed; but when it
entered the mountain pass of the chain running around Loch Lone, he was
compelled to drive slowly and carefully.

The sun set before they emerged from the pass, and it was nearly dark
when the chaise drew up before the Arondelle Arms.

The duke got out of the chaise, and passed through the little assemblage
of villagers who were standing there discussing the verdict of the jury.
He hurried at once to the bar-room to inquire if any letter or telegram
had come for him.

"Na, naething o' the sort," replied the landlord, who, seeing the
disappointment expressed upon the duke's face, added: "But, under favor,
your grace, there's time eneuch yet. Your grace hae na been twenty-four
hours awa' fra Lunnun."

Without waiting to answer the host, the young duke hurried out, and
walked rapidly off to the telegraph office, which was at the railway
station.

"Ye see yon lad?" said the landlord to his wife. "He hanna been a day fra
his bride, and yet he expects to hae a letter or a message frae her every
minute. Aweel we hae a' been fules in our time!"

So saying the philosophical host of the Arondelle Arms gave his mind to
the service of his numerous customers, who had come from the trial at
Banff very hungry and thirsty, and now filled the bar-room with their
persons, and all the air with their complaints.

They were not at all satisfied with the verdict. They had had a murder,
and they had a right to have a hanging. They had been defrauded of their
prospect of this second entertainment, and they were not well pleased.

Meanwhile, the duke hurried off to the telegraph office, to see if by any
chance a telegram had been received there for him and detained.

When he entered the little den, he found the operator at work. He
forebore to interrupt the man until the clicking of the wires ceased.
Then he asked:

"Can you tell if there is any message here for me?--the Duke of
Hereward," added his grace, seeing the puzzled look of the operator,
who was a stranger in the country.

"Yes, your grace. It has only just now come," respectfully answered the
young man, as he drew out a long, narrow strip of thick, white paper,
upon which