He passed his hand across his eyes as he exclaimed beneath his breath: "Sure that was Father Urban--" But he began to feel doubtful as to his right to come and go in this house at will, and was about to descend the stairs quietly again, when a door opened from above, and some one came hastily down the stairs.

Cuthbert fancied he saw the gleam of some weapon in the hand of the advancing figure, and felt that he had better be upon his guard.
"Cuthbert Trevlyn!" exclaimed a familiar voice, and a hand was slipped beneath the doublet, and there was no further gleam of cold steel.

"I am right glad to welcome thee.

It is well for friends to muster at such a time.

Comest thou with news ?" Walter Cole was the speaker.