t he should be in no hurry to go away. It naturally occurred to
the captain that his young guest would like a companion occasionally, so
he sent a note inviting Stephen Ludlow to come over and spend a day at
the tower, hoping also that Mr Ludlow would invite Charley in return.

Margery was very anxious to see Stephen to thank him for his book, and
to tell him how much she liked it. An idea had also occurred to her
which she proposed broaching to him on the first opportunity.

Blind Peter was the general messenger as well as the purveyor of small
wares in the neighbourhood, and as he happened to call that day, Becky
took the captain's note down to him to carry.

"It's just to ask the young master at Ludlow to come over for a day,"
she observed, as she gave it to him.

"Then just, Becky, do you give him a hint not to wander away from the
Tower while he is here, and tell him to go back by the way he went the
last time, mind that," said Peter.

"I'll do as you tell me, Master Peter," answered Becky. "But what's in
the wind that makes you say that? You know I am not a woman to go and
prattle about other people's affairs, but I should just like to know,
that I should, Master Peter."

Blind Peter turned his sightless orbs towards Becky, while a smile
played round his lips.

"I'll tell you what, Becky," he answered, "there's an old saying, that a
secret is no longer a secret if it's in the keeping of more than one
person; so, do ye see, I think as I've got it I'd better keep it. Not
but what I own that you are a right sensible woman, Mistress Becky, and
it's for your good as much as for my own that I don't tell it to you."

Becky was not satisfied, but she knew Peter of old, and that, as she
said of him, "he was as close as wax, and if he was determined not to do
a thing no mortal power could make him do it." She made up her mind to
abide her time, in the hope that after all she might discover the
secret. Blind Peter having received the note, set off on his journey,
promising to deliver it either that night or the following morning.

Peter's reception at the hall was always very different to that at the
tower, yet he did not refuse the crust of bread and mug of water offered
to him at the former, but meekly took it, and went on his way with a
thankful heart. On this occasion, having delivered the note at the
hall, and finding that both Mr Ludlow and his son were out, he
continued his journey. It was towards ev