“That child was given to the care of Dame Tatton, who dwelt in this cottage. Now child and dame have both disappeared.”
“I hear!” cried Learmont.
“What is to be done sir? You are the lord here.”
“And so, I presume,” sneered Learmont, “I must charge myself to bring back every old woman, who disappears from her hovel?”
“Here is an inscription on the wall,” said Frank, “which seems to refer—”
“Ah!” cried Learmont, striding forward, and reading the few words that had been scratched on the wall. “Well, what then?”
“That I ask you Squire Learmont.”
“Then I reply, nothing. Will you finish that sentence?”
“Certainly not.”
“Then what further have you to say to me?”