"Not as the result of a preconcerted plan," I hastened to add; "for I never heard of Winifred nor of the castle till I came here, and I could not even now tell you the name of her father. I have heard him spoken of merely as Roderick."
"Roderick O'Byrne," said Niall, fixing his keen eyes upon my face.
It was my turn to start and to color violently, with the sudden recollection.
"So you do, perhaps, know Mr. Roderick O'Byrne, after all?" said the schoolmaster, dryly; and I saw that his former suspicions were revived.
"Know him? Why, yes. But as the father of Winifred—no."
"And where, may I ask, have you met him?"
"In New York city."
He bent eagerly forward.
"Tell me—oh, tell me how long ago was that?"
"Within the last six months."