The other met his stare of surprise with an imperturbable countenance.
"What I say," he answered quietly. "My servants find two men lurking
beside a road that I am traveling. Being somewhat over-zealous, they take
them up upon suspicion of meaning mischief and bring them before me. It is
all guesswork why they were at the turn of the road, and what they wanted
there. There is no proof, no witness"--

"I see that there is no witness that you care to call," said the Colonel
coldly.

Haward waved his hand. "There is no witness," he said, without change of
tone. "And therefore, Colonel, I am about to dismiss the case."

With a slight bow to his guest he left the window, and advanced to the
group in the centre of the room. "Saunderson," he said abruptly, "take
these two men to the quarter and cut their bonds. Give them a start of
fifty yards, then loose the dogs and hunt them from the plantation. You
have men outside to help you? Very well; go! Mr. MacLean, will you see
this chase fairly started?"

The Highlander, who had become very thoughtful of aspect since entering
the room, and who had not shared Saunderson's start of surprise at the
master's latest orders, nodded assent. Haward stood for a moment gazing
steadily at Hugon, but with no notice to bestow upon the bowing
schoolmaster; then walked over to the harpsichord, and, sitting down,
began to play an old tune, soft and slow, with pauses between the notes.
When he came to the final chord he looked over his shoulder at the
Colonel, standing before the mantel, with his eyes upon the fire. "So they
have gone," he said. "Good riddance! A pretty brace of villains!"