and the high dog-cart clattered away through the darkness, casting a
brilliant tunnel of yellow light on either side of it, until the rumble
of its wheels died away in the distance.

"What do you think of our new neighbour, Jamieson?" I asked, after a
long silence.

"'Deed, Mr. West, he seems, as he says himsel', to be vera nervous.
Maybe his conscience is oot o' order."

"His liver, more likely," said I. "He looks as if he had tried his
constitution a bit. But it's blowing chill, Seth, my lad, and it's time
both of us were indoors."

I bade my companion good-night, and struck off across the moors for the
cheery, ruddy light which marked the parlour windows of Branksome.

CHAPTER III. OF OUR FURTHER ACQUAINTANCE WITH MAJOR-GENERAL J. B. HEATHERSTONE

There was, as may well be imagined, much stir amongst our small
community at the news that the Hall was to be inhabited once more, and
considerable speculation as to the new tenants, and their object in
choosing this particular part of the country for their residence.

It speedily became apparent that, whatever their motives might be, they
had definitely determined upon a lengthy stay, for relays of plumbers
and of joiners came down from Wigtown, and there was hammering and
repairing going on from morning till night.

It was surprising how quickly the signs of the wind and weather were
effaced, until the great, square-set house was all as spick-and-span
as though it had been erected yesterday. There were abundant signs that
money was no consideration to General Heatherstone, and that it was not
on the score of retrenchment that he had taken up his abode among us.

"It may be that he is devoted to study," suggested my father, as we
discussed the question round the breakfast table. "Perhaps he has chosen
this secluded spot to finish some magnum opus upon which he is engaged.
If that is the case I should be happy to let him have the run of my
library."

Esther and I laughed at the grandiloquent manner in which he spoke of
the two potato-sacksful of books.

"It may be as you say," said I, "but the general did not strike me
during our short interview as being a man who was likely to have any
very pronounced literary tastes. If I might hazard a guess, I should say
that he is here upon medical advice, in the hope that the complete quiet
and fresh air may restore his shattered nervous system. If you had seen
how he glared at me, and the twitching of his fingers, you