“I have something to tell you, Pendleton, and to ask your advice about,” began Lyon Berners. And he related the mysterious vision that had thrice crossed their path.
“Oh! it is a form of flesh and blood! We don’t believe in apparitions at this age of the world! But this indeed must be looked to! If you have seen her here three times, of course she has seen you,” said Captain Pendleton in much anxiety.
“Most certainly she knows of our presence here, if she knows nothing else about us,” replied Mr. Berners.
“Then it is useless to attempt to conceal yourselves from her. She must be laid hold of, talked with, and won or bribed to keep our secret—to help us if possible. We must find out whether she will serve our purpose. If she will, it will be all quite right, and you may remain here until it is safe to depart; but if she will not, it will be all entirely wrong, and you must leave this place at all hazards,” concluded Captain Pendleton.
“Yes, it is very well for you to talk of intercepting her, but you had just as well try to intercept a shadow as it glides past you,” put in Sybil, with a wise nod.
“The attempt shall be made, at all events,” determined Mr. Berners.
Sybil was in the act of putting the supper—not on the table, for table there was none in the chapel—but on the cloth spread upon the flagstones, when Captain Pendleton, to give a lighter turn to their talk, said:
“You may put a plate for me also, Mrs. Berners! I have not yet supped, and I’m glad I have got here in time to join you.”
“I am glad too! We are getting quite comfortably to housekeeping here, Captain. And Lyon has set his traps, and we shall soon have game to offer you when you come to visit us,” replied Sybil quickly, responding to his gayety.
“If I had only a gun, and could venture to use it, it would be a great relief, and we should be very well supplied,” smiled Lyon.