Now, my dear boy, let us turn in.  We start early in the morning and have a long drive before us.  I hope you don’t mind driving?  I was going to have the old travelling carriage in which my grandfather, your great-grand-uncle, went to Court when William IV. was king.  It is all right—­they built well in those days—­and it has been kept in perfect order.  But I think I have done better:  I have sent the carriage in which I travel myself.  The horses are of my own breeding, and relays of them shall take us all the way.  I hope you like horses?  They have long been one of my greatest interests in life.”

“I love them, sir, and I am happy to say I have many of my own.  My father gave me a horse farm for myself when I was eighteen.  I devoted myself to it, and it has gone on.  Before I came away, my steward gave me a memorandum that we have in my own place more than a thousand, nearly all good.”

“I am glad, my boy.  Another link between us.”

“Just fancy what a delight it will be, sir, to see so much of England—­and with you!”

“Thank you again, my boy.  I will tell you all about your future home and its surroundings as we go.  We shall travel in old-fashioned state, I tell you.  My grandfather always drove four-in-hand; and so shall we.”

“Oh, thanks, sir, thanks.  May I take the ribbons sometimes?”

“Whenever you choose, Adam.  The team is your own.  Every horse we use to-day is to be your own.”

“You are too generous, uncle!”

“Not at all.  Only an old man’s selfish pleasure.  It is not every day that an heir to the old home comes back.  And—­oh, by the way . . .  No, we had better turn in now—­I shall tell you the rest in the morning.”

CHAPTER II—­THE CASWALLS OF CASTRA REGIS

Mr. Salton had all his life been an early riser, and necessarily an early waker.  But early as he woke on the next morning—­and although there was an excuse for not prolonging sleep in the constant whirr and rattle of the “donkey” engine winches of the great ship—­he met the eyes of Adam fixed on him from his berth.  His grand-nephew had given him the sofa, occupying the lower berth himself.  The old man, despite his great strength and normal activity, was somewhat tired by his long journey of the day before, and the prolonged and exciting interview which followed it.  So he was glad to lie still and rest his body, whilst his mind was actively exercised in taking in all he could of his strange surroundings.  Adam, too, after the pastoral habit to which he had been bred, woke with the dawn, and was ready to enter on the experiences of the new day whenever it might suit his elder companion.  It was little wonder, then, that, so soon as each realised the other’s readiness, they simultaneously jumped up and began to dress.  The steward had by previous instructions early breakfast prepared, and it was not long before they went down the gangway on shore in search of the carriage.