“Was it possible that Aveline, whom he had loved in an earlier day, was a descendant of a great and honoured line?”
“I say it seems like a dream,” murmured Peace, “altogether like a dream to think that I should have proposed to one of such high birth; but no, it cannot be. To think, also, that I should be the means of tracing her out—that is still more wonderful.”
While thus ruminating he was startled by a noise as of something heavy thrown against the window of his little room.
He arose suddenly and threw open the casement.
Something was flung into the window. It fell upon the floor.
Peace picked it up. It was a small pebble, around which was a piece of note paper.
“What’s the meaning of this?” exclaimed our hero, peering curiously out of the window.
No one was to be seen.
He sat down again and unfolded the paper, spread it out on his knee, and saw written thereon these words:—
“Be cautious. Keep watch and ward. Somebody’s in the house, a stranger, who is of no good. Take warning!—A Friend.”