emotion, and I was much surprised at the reluctance with which she separated from me. So far, however, was she from reproaching me, th

at once pooh-poohed the notion, declaring that I should be better out of the way for a few months. Beatrice did not resist her mother's conclusion; but when we were alone again, she became very agitated, begging me always to think well of her, and asking if I were really attached to her. I did not understand this mood, which was very unlike her usual manner, but I responded with a hearty and warm avowal of confidence in her; and I met her questions as to my own feelings by pledging my word very solemnly that absence should, so far as I was concerned, make no difference, and that she might rely implicitly on my faithful affection. This assurance seemed to give her very little comfort, although I repeated it more than once; and when I left her, I was

r surprised to find no letter for me from the old lord, but I had no thought of waiting for a formal invitation, and pressed on the hour of departure as much as I could. Here, also, I saw the first of my new subjects, Hogvardt having engaged a couple of men who had come to him, saying they were from Neopalia and were anxious to work their passage back. I was delighted to have them, and fell at once to studying them with immense attention. They were fine, tall, capable-looking fellows, and they, too, with ourselves, made a crew more than large enough for our little boat; for both Denny and I would make ourselves useful on board, and Hogvardt could do something of everything on land or water, whilst Watkins acted as cook and steward. The Neopalians were, as they stated, in answer to my questions, brothers; their names were Spiro and Demetri, and they informed us that their family had served the lo

expected ther

metri, and it seemed to me that he threw an inq

men know of the Lord

where he is n

nswered together, and

eculiar in their manner, but when I mention

again," he said, scornfully.

he brothers were embarrassed at my questions. Moreover, I caught Spiro, the more truculent-

was Neopalia. Day came bright and glorious, and as we drew nearer to our enchanted isle, we distinguished its features and conformation. The coast was rocky, save where a small harbor opened to the sea; and the rocks ran up from the coast, rising higher and higher, till they culminated in

exultation, pointing with my finger. It

nny, throwing up h

ar, and met this ebulli

l find the house co

rtable," said Hogvardt. "I d

the fellow, with a surly frown. The inference we

re pointed at us. We landed; nobody came forward to greet us. I looked round, and saw no one who could be the old lord; but I perceived a stout man who wore an air of importance, and, walking up to him, I asked him very politely if he would be so good as to direct me to the inn, for I had discovered from Demetri that there was a modest house where we could lodge that

the way to the i

to visit Neop

ered round us now, and all

purchaser of the island, you know

ect silence reigne

well together," I said,

ame. The people r

ogether ignoring my friend

. Come. I will

le making a lane for us, and still regarding us with stony sta

described as an ov

es," mutter

Watkins, more in sorrow than in anger. Watkins had v

d ahead. I quickened my

eem very pleased to

in, and he led us up-stairs to a large room. It overlooked the street, but, somewhat to my surpri

our houses, my friend,"

what we have, in

s some time in coming, and we stood at the window, peering through our prison bars. Our high spirits

have got two hundred years ago," I said, with

all, discussing whether I ought to visit the lord, or whether, seeing that he had not come to receive me, my

said Denny, jumping up. "I wonder

dow, while Watkins was busy overhauling our luggage. We had brought light bags, the rods, guns, and other smalle

r sleep on bo

he island, now we've

ord," said Watki

om Hogvardt, and I jo

ngue. Sometimes he pointed toward us, oftener along the ascending road that led to the interior. I could not hear a word he said, but presently all his auditors raised their hands toward heaven. I saw that the hands held, some guns, some clubs, some knives; and all the men cried with furious energy: "Nai, nai!" ("Yes, yes!") And then the

y now, save for groups of white-clothed women, who talked eagerly to one another,

ny. "Or perhaps they've repented of their rude

ronical, did not assist the matter,

ike to investigate the thing.

ut on our hats, took sticks, and prepar

my money on revolvers," said I, wi

think, rather ashamed of our timidity, but the Neopalians certainly looked rough customers. Then I tur

enny, and he be

, which he always had handy, an

e struck it with his hand. Then he crossed to the window, and looked at the b

must have bolted us in. The bars made the window no use. A skilled burglar might have beaten those

said Denny. "Nicely cau

uth, I was wondering whether Neopalia was going to turn out as conservative a cou

always called the Neopalians "natives"] have gone to spe

I hope it will be a

sumed an anxious look. He knew something a

is it?" I

gain, except Denny, who wasted some energy and made a useless di

he women had ceased their gossiping, but still stoo

more imposing in the alternating glare and gloom of the torches and the deepening night. The man in tweeds was no longer visible. Our innkeeper was alone in front. And all, as they marched, sang loudly a rude, barbarous sort of chant, repeating it again and again; and the women and children crowded out to meet the men, ca

is the

to t

lches t

s that

is th

r we h

he that

is th

s the

ds, until they stopped at last opposite the inn,

enny, drawing a long breath.

d not that the song we had heard had been chanted

ly Turk's law. The only law here was the law of the Stefanopouloi, and if that law lost its force by the crime of the hand tha

laying a hand on my shoulders, "any h

lso filled our pockets with cartridges. I was determined-I think we were all dete

there came a knock at the door,

," said I, spri

and the face of

-stairs again at his best speed. Following him, we came to the door of the inn. It was ringed round with men, and directly oppo

ou depart in peace. Go, then, to your boat

said I. "Where is th

ied a week ago?" asked Vlac

exclaimed,

uphrosyne, lady of Ne

id he d

of the men round him nodded their heads, and mur

died, I don't see what the lady, with all respect to her, has got to do wit

own away. Vlacho seemed not to hear what I sai

found in Neopalia one minute after, you will never go. Think and be wise." And he and all the rest of them, as though one spring moved them, wheeled round, and marched off up

darker now that the gleaming torches were gone. Not a soul was to be seen. The islanders, having put matters o

ve in, Charl

I, "I wish you were at

eated, "Going to

eaping up. "They've had my money,

selled Hogvardt, "and come back

s nonsense. We four could not conqu

ht have a look round before we go. I want to see the place, you kn

gain, left the inn, and struck straight up the road. For nearly a mile we mounted, th

aid Hogvardt, who had studied th

he house. Show us a light, H

in to the rocks that edged the road. We saw coming toward us in the darkness two figures. They rode small horses. The

they w

, and at the sound of it I started. For it was the voice o

in the town," said the girl's voice

onstantine answer, in tones that witnessed no great horror

ent. For I was angry now, angry at the utter

walls were decorated with medi?val armor and weapons. The windows were but narrow slits, the walls massive and deep. The door was a ponderous, iron-bound affair, that shamed even the stout doors of our inn. I called loudly, "Is any one here?" Nobody answered. The servants must have been drawn off to the

put my hands against the massive door, and closed and bolted

g down from his table, on fir

y, with his usual imperturbability. He wanted to know what his lord

ship will sleep

kins," said I. "I'm not going to be d

one in pain. Watkins shuddered; Hogvardt looked rather uncomfortable; Denny and I listened eagerly. Again the groan came. I seized the lantern from Hogvardt's hand, and rushed in the direction of the sound. There, in the corner of the ha

of that fever