Seldom had Adam been so happy as while listening to Jacob's account of his adventures, and not often had he been more successful in making a good catch of fish.

The evening was drawing on, and it was time to return, when the wind, shifting, headed them, and they were compelled to take to their oars, Jacob and the boy pulling while Adam steered. They kept close in shore to avoid the tide, which was running to the southward. The wind increased too, and they made but slow progress, so that night overtook them before they had proceeded half the distance.

There was still light sufficient to enable Adam to see a man on horseback galloping along the beach under the cliff, the water already reaching up to the animal's knees.

"What can he be about?" exclaimed Adam; "he must be mad to try and pass along there; he will be lost to a certainty if he moves a few fathoms farther

on."

Adam shouted at the top of his voice, and waved his hat; but the horseman neither saw nor heard him.

Presently, as Adam had anticipated, the horse began to struggle violently in a vain effort to escape from a soft quicksand which prevented it either from swimming or wading. The next instant, a sea rolling in washed the rider from its back. He struck out boldly, making a desperate effort for life. Jacob and the boy pulled with all their might towards him, but before they could reach him a sea ' had dashed him against the cliff. By a mighty effort he got clear of it, when a receding wave carried him towards them. Before the boat reached him, however, he had ceased to struggle, and was sinking for the last time when Adam caught him by the collar, and with Jacob's assistance hauled him into the boat. Jacob had at once to resume his oar, for they were so near the cliff that the boat might in another instant have been dashed against it. They got clear, but the tide had drifted them to the south.

The man lay unconscious, but still living. There was not a moment to lose, and in the dim light they struck out quickly with the one thought of bringing their burden to shore. A sea lifted the boat, and though the surf broke on board, in another minute she floated on and dropped down safely into a pool, where there was no danger of her being carried away. Adam and his companions, jumping out, hauled the boat up on the beach. Leaving the boy in charge of her, he and Jacob then carried the man they had rescued, and who was still insensible, towards Mad Sal's hut, which could just be distinguished on the side of the ravine by the glare of light coming through the chinks in the window and

door.

The sight seemed to calm instead of agitating the old woman, for she set about attending to the man in a more sensible way than might have been expected. While Adam and Jacob took off the man's wet clothes she brought a blanket that they might wrap it round his body. She then, kneeling down, assisted them in chafing his hands and feet. A deep groan showed that their efforts were successful, and the man soon opened his eyes and gazed wildly at them. The old woman threw some sticks on the fire, which, blazing up now for the first time, revealed his features more clearly than before.

"Why, father, he is Miles Gaffin," exclaimed Jacob.

"I knew that," answered Adam, "when we hauled him into the boat."

"Miles Gaffin!" cried Mad Sal. "The bloodthirsty and wretched man shall not live out half his days; yet, as the sea refused to keep him, we must not be more cruel."

Gaffin made no answer, but continued to glare wildly at the faces bent over him. He occasionally groaned and muttered a few unintelligible words.

What now to do was the question. Adam was unwilling to leave him alone with the poor mad woman, yet he was naturally anxious to return home. The sound of the wind, which howled and whistled up the glen, warned him that he could scarcely hope to continue his voyage.

Telling old Sal that they would speedily return, Adam and Jacob went down to the beach and made safe their boat and fish. Then they sent the boy quickly to Hurlston with instructions to tell the dame that they hoped to be home in the morning.

As they entered, they heard Gaffin's voice raving incoherently. Mad Sal stood like a statue, the light of the fire falling on her pale features, gazing at him with a look of mingled astonishment and dread.

"I am Martin Goul; that is my name. Νο one else would dare to claim it,” cried Gaffin; "when my son marries the heiress of Texford, I will shout it out to all the world. She will be his bride before many hours are over, and then those who have scorned me will have to ask favours at my hand. They did not know that I possessed the secret of her birth-that it still lies locked up in the chest, guarded safely in the vault beneath the mill, and that it will be beyond their reach before to-morrow. Ah! ah! ah!" and he broke out into a cry of maniac laughter.

The old woman passed her hand across her brow, and took another stride, which brought her close to where Gaffin lay.

66

"Answer me, I adjure you; again I ask you, are you the Martin Goul who years gone by was 'pressed' and carried off to sea?" "Yes, I am that Martin Goul, the pirate, smuggler, spy, murderer!" he shrieked out, raising himself; there are no deeds I have not dared to do. I by forged letters kept Ranald Castleton from his home, and willingly would I have allowed his innocent child to perish. Now I have answered you, what more would you learn from me? Ah! ah! ah!" he shouted out, as if impelled by an uncontrollable impulse to utter the very things he would have desired to keep secret.

"It's false, it's false!" cried the unhappy woman; "my son was wild and extravagant, but he could

not have been guilty of the crimes you name. was the mother of young Martin Goul; he was the only being on earth I loved. Oh, the salt, sait

The old woman gazed at him like one transfixed. Suddenly the fire sent up a bright flame which fell on his face.

"Yes, yes," cried the unhappy creature. "I know you now; you are my son, my boy Martin." But the person she addressed no longer heard her. It was an awful moment. The old woman stood like one in a stupor. The revelation seemed to leave only greater confusion in her bewildered mind. The sudden silence brought Adam Halliburt into the room, and a glance told him the dreadful truth.

Adam had noted what the dying man said with regard to the chest and the little girl.

Could he have been speaking of our Maiden May? and how came he to call her the heiress of Texford?"

"He did call her so, there is no doubt about that," observed Jacob; "he cannot tell us now, though, what he meant."

"But the chest may. I was always sure that Gaffin had visited the wreck and carried off something of value, but little did I think all the time that he knew who our Maiden May was," said Adam.

"If we can get the chest we shall soon know all about that, father; and it will be the thing of all others that Lieutenant Castleton will like to know; and I shall be glad to help him find it out."

As neither Adam nor Jacob felt disposed to go to sleep after the scene they had witnessed, they sat up discussing the subject till dawn. They were reluctant to leave the poor demented woman, but could not longer delay. The scene of excitement had left her in a state of helpless stupor. The wind having shifted and the sea gone down, they launched their boat, and sailed before the wind for Hurlston. As they passed close under the mill they saw a vessel cast on the beach, which they recognised as Gaffin's lugger. They afterwards discovered that, having been left with only two or three hands on board, she had been driven on shore, and, like the Nancy, having seen her best days, had been quickly knocked to pieces by the heavy sea which had for a short time broken on the coast.

Young Jack had arrived safely and delivered the message Adam had sent the dame, so that she had not been auxious about them. But she had a terrible account to give of the events which, according to report, had taken place at Texford and Downside, and which had caused her the greatest alarm, and she was only waiting their arrival to set off to ascertain the truth.

CHAPTER LVI.-ON THE DEFENCE.

HARRY and the dragoons, after Gaffin's escape, galloped rapidly to Downside. He would soon have distanced them had he not feared that they might lose their way. He kept urging them to spur on with greater speed. The gate was opened, and as they approached the house a thundering sound was hearl, and he caught sight of several men endea

Harry announced his arrival. "Stay, it may only be a trick," he heard Miss Jane observe. "Oh, I am sure it is Harry; I know his voice. I am not afraid of opening the door," exclaimed May. The bars and bolts were quickly withdrawn, and the next instant Harry pressed May to his heart. He quickly narrated all that had happened, and Miss Jane and Miss Mary were very grateful for his coming so opportunely to their rescue.

"And I too am glad to greet you, Mr. Castleton," said Mr. Shallard, stepping forward. "You may be surprised at our calmness," he observed, "but the truth is, I expected every moment the arrival of a party of the sea-fencibles, and fully believed that they would come in time to stop the ruffians in their attempt to break into the house, and to capture the whole of them into the bargain. Till they appear it may be prudent to retain the soldiers."

The dragoons had started at daybreak to scour the country, but not succeeded in capturing a single smuggler. They had discovered, however, in a cottage, a man dying from a gunshot wound, and from the description given of him Harry had little doubt that he was young Gaffin. May appeared at breakfast, looking as bright and fresh as ever. soon as the meal was over, Harry and Mr. Shallard, assured that the ladies were in no further danger, were on the point of setting out for Texford when Adam and Dame Halliburt arrived.

As

After the dame had expressed her joy at seeing May and the ladies safe, Adam described to Harry and Mr. Shallard the events which had occurred on the previous evening, and gave them the information he had obtained from the dying man. May listened with breathless eagerness. Was, indeed, the secret of her birth to be at length disclosed? The heiress of Texford! That seemed impossible: it must have been a fancy of the dying smuggler's. She might, indeed, be proved to belong to a noble family, and Sir Ralph's objections to her might be removed; or, on the other hand, her birth might be such that still greater obstacles might arise, or the proofs, had they existed, might have been removed. Fears and hopes alternately gaining the mastery, she in vain endeavoured to calm her agitation. Miss Mary stood holding her hand, her sightless eyes turned towards the speakers, listening to all that was said; while Miss Jane every now and then threw in a word, gave her advice, or cross-questioned Adam, with an acuteness which won the lawyer's admiration.

As they were still speaking, a dense wreath of smoke, with flickering points of flame rising beneath it, was seen in the direction of the cliff.

"The mill has been set on fire," exclaimed Mr. Shallard; "men ought to have been stationed to guard it. We may yet be in time to save the chest."

The gardener having been despatched with an order to the fencibles to hasten to the mill, tho party from Downside hurried in the same direction. They were soon at the spot, and at work.

In the midst of the confusion several men were seen emerging with a heavy chest, which they carried between them.

"We have got it, Mr. Castleton-we have got it! cried Jacob, as several of the bystanders sprang forward to his assistance.

In another minute the whole house was in a blaze, and the rafters which supported the vault catching

fire, the tall mill fell with a loud crash, and a huge fiery mass alone marked the spot where it had stood. "If you will restrain your curiosity for a short time, Mr. Castleton, we will have the chest carried up to Downside and examine it there," said Mr. Shallard; "it will be a fitter spot than the open downs."

Plenty of bearers were found, and the old lawyer had some difficulty in keeping pace with them, as, followed by half the population of Hurlston, they bore it up to the Miss Pembertons' cottage.

CHAPTER LVII.-SIR RANALD CASTLETON.

THE attack of the smugglers and the pursuit had aroused Sir Ralph Castleton's keenest interest, but the presence of Mr. Hastings still more disquieted him. There was something in his presence which made a more intimate conversation imperative, and now the baronet, who was unusually pale and agitated, had invited his guest to meet him in his study. What transpired during the conversation was not known. Lady Castleton had remarked the agitation Mr. Hastings's appearance had caused her husband, and she dreaded the effect it might produce on him.

At last the hungry guests, whose dinner had been so long postponed, assembled in the dining-room, where they were joined by the master of the house and Mr. Hastings. Sir Ralph still looked nervous, and instead of exhibiting his usual self-possession his manner was subdued, and his mind evidently distracted. He treated Mr. Hastings with marked attention, while he seemed at times to forget the presence of the marquis and his other titled guests.

Julia excused herself from coming downstairs on the plea of having to attend to her mother, who was really unwell from anxiety and alarm. The general tried to make amends for Sir Ralph's want of attention to his guests, and talked away for the whole party.

"I hope, Mr. Hastings," said the general, drawing him aside after dinner, "you have convinced my friend Sir Ralph that your gallant son is a fit match for his fair daughter, Miss Julia, and I should like to be able to give the young lady a hint."

"I think, my dear general, that her father will no longe object to the match; but I have agreed to retain my incognito till the arrival of my son, whose ship was announced as having reached Spithead yesterday evening, and as I obtained leave for him at the Admiralty, he will come on here at once."

The general, who was as much at home at Texford as at his own house, found means to give Julia the satisfactory intelligence.

Next morning the marquis and Lord Frederick, who had not been unobservant of what was taking place, though somewhat puzzled, were prepared for the hint which the general conveyed to them, that the heart and hand of Miss Julia Castleton were engaged. Regretting that their stay should have been so short, they paid their respects to the master and mistress of the house and took their departure, much to Sir Ralph's satisfaction.

Julia, who had become somewhat alarmed at not hearing of Harry, was much relieved during the course of the morning by receiving a message from him, saying that he was at Downside, and hoped shortly to return to Texford. She hurried to Lady Castleton to inform her, and then went to Sir Ralph,

who was alone in his study engaged in writing. He was so absorbed that he scarcely noticed her entrance. She had to repeat what she had said.

"Foolish boy!" he exclaimed, without expressing any satisfaction. "If he knew the position in which I am placed he would see that I have greater reason than ever for objecting to his making that match. If a proper pride and a sense of what is due to his family no longer restrains him, let him understand that his father is a mere beggar dependent on the will of another; though you have nothing to fear, as I may tell you that he acknowledges your lover as his son, and insists on my sanction to your marriage."

"My dear father," exclaimed Julia, “I had hoped indeed that all impediments to my happiness would be removed, but how can that affect you or Harry?" "You shall know all in time," answered Sir Ralph, gloomily. "Till the arrival of Captain Headland I am prohibited from saying more. Leave me now; only, if you have any feelings of affection and duty, you will use your influence with Harry. I do not wish to make an enemy of my only son, but tell him, while I live I will never be a party to his committing so rash an act."

She returned to her mother, who had sufficiently recovered to come downstairs. The guests had gone into the grounds, with the exception of Mr. Hastings and General Sampson.

The general came hurrying into the drawing-room from the hall, exclaiming, "A post-chaise is driving up the avenue; " and taking Mr. Hastings by the arm, he added, "I do not know whether you or Miss Castleton should be the first to greet the occupant. I must leave you to decide."

"Let my future daughter have that happiness," answered Mr. Hastings, by a violent effort calming his evident agitation.

He imprinted a kiss as ho spoke on the young lady's brow. "Go and bring my son to me, when you have exchanged greetings. Do not detain him long."

Julia hastened to the ante-room, scarcely daring to hope that the general was not mistaken. From the window she saw the carriage approaching. She had not long to wait. Captain Headland sprang from it, followed by another person whom her eyes, from the mist which stole over them, failed to recognise. She heard his step in the hall. In another minute he was supporting her and listening to the account she had to give. She led him into the drawing-room, where Mr. Hastings was seated alone.

"I require no one to tell me you are my son," he said, embracing them both.

They spoke for some time. Julia would have retired, to leave the father and his son alone, but the former detained her.

"For your sakes alone should I desire to resume my name and take the title which is lawfully mine," he continued. "I am your father's elder brother, my dear Julia; but I know that when you become my son Ranald's wife you will endeavour to console him and your brother Harry for the loss of an empty title, of which I may be compelled to deprive him. But I am happily able to leave him in possession of a fortune equal to that which he at present enjoys." 'Believing that you did not desire to hold the baronetcy, I would gladly have resigned my future right to it in favour of Harry," said Headland. "As, however, you gave me leave to consult any