"It took me a long time. I went to Kynance, and I 'arkened round Pennington, but I cudden 'eer nothin'. Then wawn day I seed Israel Barnicoat talkin' with Maaster Trezidder, then I beginned to wonder."
"Yes; what then?"
"I tried to pump un, but I cudden."
"Well?"
"Then wawn day I got'n home to mawther's, and we maade un nearly drunk, and then I vound out. He'd bin 'ired by Maaster Trezidder to taake 'ee to Trevawse 'Ouse. Little by little I vound out where it was, then I comed to 'ee."
I did not ask him any more questions. I knew nearly all he could tell me now; besides, the presence of the stranger kept me from entering into further details. My imagination filled up what was not related.
"Eli got summin to tell Maaster Jasper when we git aloane," grunted Eli presently.
The man with whom I had been speaking walked out of the cave, and I could not but think he had been brought up as a gentleman in spite of his wild, unkempt appearance.
"What is it?" I asked. "Where is the convent to which Miss Penryn was taken? Can you tell me that?"
"No, I ca'ant; ted'n 'bout that."