“Marry, nor I neither.  I have heard our father rave of it.  I have heard a word here, a whisper there, but never a full account of the matter.  But that there is some great treasure lost or made away with all men who know aught of the Trevlyns know well.  And if, as all affirm, this same treasure is but buried in some hiding place, the clue to which none possesses, why should not I find it?  Why should not I be the man at last to track and to discover it?”

Why not indeed?  Petronella, full of ardent youthful imaginings, fired instantly with the thought.  Why should not her brother do this thing?  Why not indeed?  She looked at him with eyes that shone in the gloom like stars.

“Yes, Cuthbert, be it thine to do what none else has been able.  Be it thine to discover this lost treasure.  Would that I could help thee in that quest!  But I can give thee just this one morsel of counsel.  Start not till thou hast been to the Chase and heard all the story from our cousins there.  They will tell thee what there is to know, and he is twice armed who has this knowledge.”

“I will follow thy good counsel, my sister, and commend thee to their kindly care.  And now, let us say farewell, and be brief; for such moments do but wring the heart and take the manliness from one.  Farewell, and farewell, my sweetest sister.  Heaven be thy guide and protector; and be sure of one thing, that if I live I will see thee soon again, and that if I have success in my search thou and I will rejoice in it together.”

Chapter 2:  The Inmates Of Trevlyn Chase.

Trevlyn Chase was a fine Tudor structure, standing on the site of the more ancient castle that had been destroyed during the tumultuous days of the Wars of the Roses.  Instead of the grim pile of gray masonry that had once adorned the crest of the wooded hill, its narrow loopholes and castellated battlements telling of matters offensive and defensive, a fair and home-like mansion of red brick overlooked the peaceful landscape, adorned with innumerable oriel windows, whose latticed casements shone brilliantly in the south sunlight as it fell upon the handsome frontage of the stately house.  Great timbers deeply carved adorned the outer walls, and the whole building was rich in those embellishments which grace the buildings of that period.  A fine terrace ran the whole length of the south front, and was bounded at either side by a thick hedge of yew.  Stone steps led down into a terraced garden upon which much care had been bestowed, and which in summer was bright with all the flowers then known and cultivated in this country.  Even in gloomy winter there was more of order and trimness than was often found in such places, and the pleasaunces and shrubberies and gardens of Trevlyn Chase, with the wide fish ponds and terraced paths, formed a pleasant place of resort almost at any season, and were greatly delighted in by the children of the present owner, who had only recently made acquaintance with their ancient family home.