Maude shivered; but he waited for an answer, and she gave it. "He is not here, sir."
"And now tell me a little of the past," he cried, wheeling round on his sister Diana. "Who is the reigning master of Trevlyn Hold?"
She indicated Chattaway with her finger. "He is."
"He! Who succeeded my father—in my place?"
"He did. James Chattaway."
"Then where was Joe?"
"Joe was dead. He had died a few months previously."
"Leaving—how many children did you say—two?"
"Two—Maude and Rupert."
"The latter still an infant, I presume, at the time of my father's death?"