THE SMUGGLER. 30[) 



him ; " at least, I can guess that such is the case. So have 

 I; and doubtless the subject is the same." 



" Kay, I should think not," replied Digby; "mine refers 

 only to private affairs." 



The old man smiled ; and that sharp-featured, rude counte- 

 nance assumed an expression of indescribable sweetness. 

 " Mine is the same," he said. "You come to speak of Edith 

 Croyland: so do I." 



"Indeed!" cried his companion, a good deal surprised; 

 " you are a strange being, Mr. Warde. You seem to learn 

 men's secrets whether they will or not." 



" There is nothing strange on earth but man's blindness," 

 answered the other; " everything is so simple, when once ex- 

 plained, that its simplicity remains the only marvel. But here 

 he comes. Let me converse with him first. Then when he 

 is aware of all that I know, you shall have my absence, or my 

 presence, as it suits you." 



While he was speaking, the voice of Henry Layton was 

 heard below, and then his step upon the stairs; and, before 

 Digby could answer, he was in the room. His face was grave, 

 but not so cloudy as it had been when he returned to Wood- 

 church half an hour before. He welcomed Mr. Warde frankly 

 and cordially, but turned immediately to Sir Edward Digby, 

 saying, " You have been quick, indeed, Digby. I could not 

 have conceived that my letter had reached you." 



"I got no letter," answered Digby; "perhaps it missed 

 me on the way; for, the corn being down, I came straight 

 across the country." 



" It matters not; it matters not," answered Layton; "so 

 you are here: that is enough. I have much to say to you, 

 and that of immediate importance." 



" I know it already," answered Digby. " But here is our 

 good friend, Warde, who seems to have something to say to 

 you on the same subject, 



Sir Henry Layton turned towards the old man with some 

 surprise. "I think Digby must be mistaken," he said, "for 

 though, I am aware, from what you told me some time ago, 

 that you have been in this part of the country before, yet it 

 must have been long ago, and you can know nothing of the 

 events which have affected myself since." 



The old man smiled, and shook his head, " I know more 



