Nearly eight score pounds, father," I replied.

"So much, eh? Well, well, the Trewinions are a big race. I weighed as
much when I was your age."

"And see what a big man you are now."

My father did not reply for a minute; then he said slowly--

"Roger, my boy, when I was fifteen my father took me into the library
and read to me something which closely affected my welfare. There is
no knowing how long I may live, and I think that what was read to me
then should be read to you now, for it applies to all the Trewinion
heirs. Come with me."

I followed my father into the house, and we entered the library
together.

"Ours is a curious race, Roger," my father began. "Our name began
strangely. God grant that it may not end with you."

"I hope it may not, father."

"Cherish the hope, my lad, for the last son of the Trewinions will die
a terrible death, haunted by evil spirits."

I shuddered.

"The Trewinion race sprang from the Trevanions," he went on. "The
mother of our people was a Trevanion, and she, while but a child in
years--for she was scarcely seventeen--married a nameless nobody, who,
fearing the wrath of her brothers, ran away like a coward as soon as
their wedding was found out. When it was known that she was going to
be a mother, Lord Trevanion built a house and sent her here with a
nurse, blessed with the gift of second sight. When the child was
born--a son--the nurse, who was held in great respect by the family,
sent for Lord Trevanion, who came, wondering at her message. Then she
told him that many things had been revealed to her on the night of the
child's birth, which she thought he ought to know.

"On being asked what she meant, she replied that messengers from the
spirit land had revealed to her that the boy was to be called Roger
Trewinion, and that he was to have certain lands in that neighbourhood,
then owned by Lord Trevanion.

"So much was he moved by the nurse's story that this manor house was
built, and the lands now belonging to it were handed over to this
child. And thus, Roger, your name and mine began to be, and thus we
own the lands belonging to Trewinion Manor."

"And what became of the mother of this child, father?" I asked eagerly.

"She lived many years with her son; lived with him, indeed, until she
died."

"And he?"

"He married a lady belonging to the Penwardle family, one of the best
families in the county."

"And so our race has lived here ever since?"