t seized hold of me with
the strength which is ascribed to presentiments. I had passed through
my study (which has been so elaborately described) to my stables, as
I generally did when I wanted my saddle-horse, and, in so doing, had
doubtless left open the gate to the iron palisade, and probably the
window of the study itself. I had been in this careless habit for
several years, without ever once having cause for self-reproach. As I
before said, there was nothing in my study to tempt a thief; the
study was shut out from the body of the house, and the servant sure at
nightfall both to close the window and lock the gate; yet now, for the
first time, I felt an impulse, urgent, keen, and disquieting, to ride
back to the town, and see those precautions taken. I could not guess
why, but something whispered to me that my neglect had exposed me to
some great danger. I even checked my horse and looked at my watch; too
late!--already just on the stroke of Strahan's dinner-hour as fixed in
his note; my horse, too, was fatigued and spent: besides, what folly!
what bearded man can believe in the warnings of a "presentiment"? I
pushed on, and soon halted before the old-fashioned flight of stairs
that led up to the Hall. Here I was accosted by the old steward; he had
just descended the stairs, and as I dismounted he thrust his arm into
mine unceremoniously, and drew me a little aside.

"Doctor, I was right; it was his ghost that I saw by the iron door of
the mausoleum. I saw it again at the same place last night, but I had no
fit then. Justice on his murderer! Blood for blood!"

"Ay!" said I, sternly; for if I suspected Margrave before, I felt
convinced now that the inexpiable deed was his. Wherefore convinced?
Simply because I now hated him more, and hate is so easily convinced!
"Lilian! Lilian!" I murmured to myself that name; the flame of my hate
was fed by my jealousy. "Ay!" said I, sternly, "murder will out."

"What are the police about?" said the old man, querulously; "days pass
on days, and no nearer the truth. But what does the new owner care? He
has the rents and acres; what does he care for the dead? I will never
serve another master. I have just told Mr. Strahan so. How do I know
whether he did not do the deed? Who else had an interest in it?"

"Hush, hush!" I cried; "you do not know how wildly you are talking."

The old man stared at me, shook his head, released my arm, and strode
away.

A labouring man came out of t