anything very lively
in the way of amusement in your hours of relaxation, for
this is a lonely place, and my family consists of nothing
but myself and my niece, a girl of nineteen, just released
from the schoolroom; but you may find some more congenial
society in another guest of mine, Mr. Septimus Cazalette,
the eminent authority on numismatics, who is here for the
purpose of examining the vast collection of coins and medals
formed by the kinsman I have just referred to. I can also
promise you the advantages of a particularly bracing
climate, and assure you of a warm welcome and every possible
provision for your comfort. In the hope that you will be
able to come to me at an early date,

"I am, dear sir,

"Yours truly,

"FRANCIS RAVEN.

"Leonard Middlebrook, ESQ.,

"35M, Old Buildings, Lincoln's Inn, W. C."

Several matters referred to in this letter inclined me towards going
to Ravensdene Court--the old family mansion--the thousands of ancient
volumes--the prospect of unearthing something of real note--the
chance of examining a collector's harvest--and perhaps more than
anything, the genuinely courteous and polite tone of my invitation. I
was not particularly busy at that time, nor had I been out of London
for more than a few days now and then for several years: a change to
the far-different North had its attractions. And after a brief
correspondence with him, I arranged to go down to Mr. Raven early in
March, and remain under his roof until I had completed the task which
he desired me to undertake. As I have said already, I left London on
the 8th of March, journeying to Newcastle by the afternoon express
from King's Cross. I spent that night at Newcastle and went forward
next morning to Alnmouth, which according to a map with which I had
provided myself, was the nearest station to Ravensdene Court. And soon
after arriving at Alnmouth the first chapter of my adventures opened,
and came about by sheer luck. It was a particularly fine, bright,
sharply-bracing morning, and as I was under no particular obligation
to present myself at Ravensdene Court at any fixed time, I determined
to walk thither by way of the coast. The distance, according to my
map, was about nine or ten miles. Accordingly, sending on my luggage
by a conveyance, with a message to Mr. Raven that I s