"I have, and to Mrs. Dallas, who declines to sanction our engagement. She wants Isabella to marry David, and said--"

"I can guess what she said," interrupted Jen, hastily. "No more of this till after dinner, my dear lad. Then I'll explain all."

"Explain what?"

"Why Mrs. Dallas wants Isabella to marry David." Not another word would the major say on the subject at that moment, so Maurice was forced to seek his room in a very unsatisfied frame of mind. However, as he thought, here was one mystery about to be explained, and that was a comfort. As Jen prophesied, David did not return to dinner, and Maurice had a tête-à-tête with his guardian. But they talked of indifferent things, and it was not until they were once more in the smoking-room with cigars and coffee that the major consented to speak on the subject of Mrs. Dallas' strange conduct.

"Now, my boy, I'm ready to tell--" Here Jen stopped and looked blankly at the wall.

"What is the matter?" asked Maurice, in surprise.

"The devil-stick!" gasped Jen, pointing a shaking finger at the wall. "The devil-stick!"

Maurice looked--the devil-stick was gone!

 

 

 

 

 CHAPTER VII.

THE RIVALS.

 

For some moments the two men looked at one another; and then Major Jen, seeing the necessity for prompt action, rang the bell. Jaggard entered with military swiftness, and stared blankly at his master, who was pointing at the wall; an action inexplicable to the servant at that moment.

"Where is the devil-stick?" demanded Jen, wrathfully.

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