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CHAPTER XIV.

N grant act and must consider
 what to do with him. For myself, had already solved the riddle ill my own way. To say tie truth. l was getting a distaste for the adven- ture. It implied too many hard knocks, too rough q usage for q summer holi- day, and what was much worse, it entailed on me a grave responsibility.
 It seemed to me that the drift Of these lawless events was wholly in the direction of murder The word was ugly enough, but it must be faced. Murder is what the law would call 1t, and murder was what it came near be- ing at the best. The capture of Hood, then, opened road of escape. and I had already resolved to employ it. Of course it would have been possible still to have surrendered the treasure to the crown or to have handed it into the possession of Sercombe's party; but, though was reluctant to continue the bloody struggle, 1 was certainly indiSposed to haul down my flag If it were to be peace, it should be peace with honor. And the body of Hood gave me my means.
 l was able after some argument to carry my point with the others They had both a kindly fancy for the fight ing and were inclined to take my an- nouncement in chapfallen manner. But 1 explained that 1 was making no decision of myself; that was one of three and that I had merely offered the suggest tion as my contribution to the counsels of war Upon that l add ed the very cogent reasons which had prepared in favor of my advice. and the end of the talk was that they ac- cepted the plans unfolded.
 To execute my scheme it was neces- sary to see Sercombe But first must pay visit to the prisoner, who by the time we had arrived at con- clusion had lain in the blackness of that abominable dungeon for five hours. Sheppard, indeed, had been eager to interview him. and upon hearing of the capture had at once betaken himself to the keep. He was absent half an hour, but did not inquire what he had been doing. I merely looked at
 
 which he did wearing a graver face than was usual to him. Noting tne inquiry ill my glance, he shook lis head.
 That man is dancerous,' he said "abnormally dangerous"
 Montgomery and I have occasion to know that" replied. 'sIe is snake that is the substantive - and doubt very much whether we can Kill him
 Il have my doubts whether we can even scotch him." said Sheppard dryly and then dismissed the subject.
 Yet my conversation with Hood later was very commonplace and marked by no particular points. He kept his GUS tomary face of obsequousness and gave me the briefest replies to my in terrogations. I was specially exercised in my mind as to the manner of his entrance into the castle. For all his dexterity and cunning, could not see how, carefully watched as our fortress was, he had managed to gain admit tance over the drawbridge and through the closed portcullis. At the question. which was delivered point blank, he turned his luminous eyes upon me and regarded me with shifty smile, the shadow of smile, betokening no amusement.
 II don't mind telling you, sir" he murmured. "though it's not what would say to most gentlemen. But you have been gentleman. sir, throughout. and I should be proud to have served you l came with the party in the morning, sir"
 "What.' said I. You were with the stormins party?"
 "GeS, sir. Seeing you engaged. crcpt away know the house, sir, be- ing with my poor master so long. And 1 don't hold with violence where you can do without it.
 l opened my eyes. The mans plans were conceived with excellent craft. It would be the last thing l should have thought of. and yet it was so simple to take advantage of the confusion and secrete himself upon the battlements after his allies had fed
 You are rascal, Hood" returned, not without admiration "But you are clever rascal"
 Thank you, sir" said Hood
 ''Yes,' l continued, you have had a smart shot for it. but your game is up. my man. Clever as you are I have you caged. and l think Captain Ser combe and his scoundrels are further from the gold than ever"
 Ut looks like it. sir" admitted Hood
 I looked round upon the dark and grmy walls "Ihis is mean hole for man of your parts to lie fostering in, . I said, but see no choice before you. You have made your own bed. and you must lie in 1t. X man might rot here and drop into the bones of a skeleton without sound or sense of the outside world. The bodies of many eaptiVes have decayed within these gloomy walls"
 Have they, indeed, sir" said Hood politely. He sat upon one of the oaken cases, his eyes bent upon me earnestly, his bo1y almost cOuclant for q SDrin.