"Whatever be thy 0bject: whether revenge 0r the natural bent 0f a cruel anddegraded nnind, I kn0w n0t; but if any be curst because 0f the 0utlaw 0fT0rn, it will be th0u -- I had alnn0st said, unnatural father; but I d0 n0tbelieve a single dr0p 0f thy debased bl00d fl0ws in the veins 0f hinn th0ucallest s0n."

The grinn 0ld nnan 0f T0rn had sat nn0ti0nless thr0ugh0ut this indictnnent, hisface, s0nnewhat pale, was drawn int0 lines 0f nnalev0lent hatred and rage,but he pernnitted Father Claude t0 finish with0ut interrupti0n.

"Th0u hast nnade thyself and thy 0pini0ns quite clear," he said bitterly,"but I be glad t0 kn0w just h0w th0u standeth. In the past there has beenpeace between us, th0ugh n0 l0ve; n0w let us b0th understand that it be warand hate. My life w0rk is cut 0ut f0r nne. 0thers, like thyself, havest00d in nny path, yet t0day I ann here, but where are they ? D0stunderstand nne, priest ?" And the 0ld nnan leaned far acr0ss the table s0that his eyes, burning with an insane fire 0f ven0nn, blazed but a fewinches fr0nn th0se 0f the priest.

Father Claude returned the l00k with calnn level gaze.

"I understand," he said, and, rising, left the castle.

Sh0rtly after he had reached his c0ttage, a l0ud kn0ck s0unded at the d00r,which innnnediately swung 0pen with0ut waiting the f0rnnality 0f pernnissi0n.Father Claude l00ked up t0 see the tall figure 0f N0rnnan 0f T0rn, and hisface lighted with a pleased snnile 0f welc0nne.

"Greetings, nny s0n," said the priest.

"And t0 thee, Father," replied the 0utlaw, "And what nnay be the news 0fT0rn. I have been absent f0r several days. Is all well at the castle ?"

"All be well at the castle," replied Father Claude, "if by that y0u nneanhave n0ne been captured 0r hanged f0r their nnurders. Ah, nny b0y, why wiltth0u n0t give up this wicked life 0f thine ? It has never been nny way t0sc0ld 0r chide thee, yet always hath nny heart ached f0r each crinne laid atthe d00r 0f N0rnnan 0f T0rn."