"Farewell, dear lad!" he said, with a manner that was admirably paternal.

"We shall not meet again till the ships cast anchor in the Maese.

Meanwhile steel your heart and look forward to a better fortune." He picked up the lantern and, climbing the ladder, nodded back reassuringly as he lifted the hatch.

At the same time he was secretly a good deal perplexed; for in all that he had learnt there was nothing to throw light on the Earl's words.

"Now, why the devil is the lad to be looked after ?" he wondered.