my brother's death I was an active member of it, and my second son is in it now.'

'Then you perhaps remember my uncle, Captain Mayne, of the Maid of Athens?'

'I remember him well. But his ship was lost a year ago, and no one knows how.'

'She was run down off the Irish coast by the Iron Prince, that ship from which I have just escaped. And no one lives to tell the story but myself, I suppose. I am—I mean I was—mate on board the Maid under my uncle, Captain Mayne. So he was lost? I was in hopes

He turned away, and covered his face with his hands.

'My boy, this is a very extraordinary story. Tell me why you never wrote to make known the loss of your ship.'

Then Bryan told his whole story; and, having listened to it, and questioned him closely, Lord Penrhyss took him to the saloon, and said to his daughters:

'If you want to hear a story that leaves some of your novels in the lurch for hairbreadth escapes, make Mr. Lyle tell you his adventures. And make much of him, ladies, for I can tell you he is a bit of a hero.'

Then he went to his sailing master, and told him to take the yacht back to England as fast as he possibly could, and to put in to Plymouth.

CHAPTER XIV.

ALL THE BIRDS IN THE NEST ONCE MORE.

A FEW hours brought

and the rising tide. The dockyards! he had gone over them with Uncle Jack. Miss Pryce was watching the expressive face of the youth, of whom they had all become quite fond even in that short time, and she saw the great bright tears gather and fall unchecked. For no grief or hardship of his own had they fallen, but now they fell for the true-hearted, manly, kindly Christian sailor, whose poor wife must soon learn his fate, and lose any shadow of hope which she had cherished. We know that hope had been over long ago, but Bryan did not realize that. Then suddenly the bells of a church upon the hill behind Stonehouse Creek broke out into a sweet peal; it sounded like a welcome from his native land to the poor lost wanderer, and Bryan's face grew quietly glad as he listened. Lord Penrhyss came on deck, and, drawing near Bryan, he said:

'I want to have a few words with you, my dear boy. Of course you will wish to go home as fast as you can, but you must first come with me to the Admiral here, and give as full a description as you can of this ship and of her captain, and anything else that might lead to her identification. He will no doubt be able to send a vessel in search of her. You will probably have to give this evidence more than once, so I should advise you to write it down, in order that you may neither forget anything, nor become confused by repeating it so often.'

'I will,' said Bryan; 'it will prevent mistakes. But as to catching the Iron Prince, most likely I should not know her myself by this time. They had altered her appearance already, and given her a new name, and I never heard it. I only know they have several names, and so has Captain José. And I don't know what to do about going home, my lord.'

K

'How? I don't understand.

You don't mean that you

have no funds? for of course I shall be glad to lend you what you require.'

'It is not that; I had forgotten all about that. But from what you tell me, they must have believed me to be dead for a whole year. And my little sister,--she and I are twins, and I know the way she's been in. If I were to walk in suddenly, I might just kill Katie. And my aunt is most likely there too; father was sure to take them both home. My mother, too, I don't want to startle her. I don't know what to do, for of course it will be just as bad if I write.'

'Yes, you are right. It would not do to rush in upon them without warning. I see, though, how to manage. I will go with you to this dear home of yours,—you have made me quite anxious to see it,- and I will prepare your father for your appearance. Then he will manage for the others.'

You are very kind,' said Bryan gratefully.

'It's a

great deal of trouble for you to take on my account; and how shall we get up from the station? It's five miles, and very hilly.'

Is not Holme Park somewhere near you? I can telegraph to Lord to send a carriage to meet me; and I can go there when I have disposed of you.'

'Indeed you are very kind,' the boy said again; 'and my father will thank you better than I can.'

So it came to pass that at about six o'clock in the evening of the same day, a carriage, with all the blinds down, came sweeping up to the door at Valehead, in the Holme Park coachman's best style. It was late in September, and the light was failing, but still those of the family who were in the hall recognised the vehicle, and

dispersed in much - admired confusion' to find their parents. Mr. Lyle was not to be found, but mother was in the dairy with Katie and a stout maid, all busy in disposing of the new milk which had just been brought in. A thundering knock at the hall door reached their ears and made them all jump.

'Bless me!' exclaimed Mrs. Lyle; 'I don't think that knocker has been used twice since I was married. What can it be, Katie?'

'Here is Edith looking for you, mother.'

'Mother, mother!' shouted Edith, 'the carriage from Holme Park is at the door; and though the door was wide open the carriage knocked all the same, and there's a strange gentleman in it, for I peeped,-the blinds are all down, but one was lifted up for a moment.'

And I peeped too,' exclaimed fat Dora, tumbling along in her hurry after her sister. 'We both peeped,' she added, evidently thinking that they had done something worth recording.

'You just peeped and ran away, you little geese; you should have waited to see what the gentleman wants. Katie, you are as neat as a pin, but I have spilt milk all over my apron and dress. Do you go and answer the door, and I will come as soon as I can.'

So Katie walked quietly through the house, and presented her little black figure and pale face to Lord Penrhyss, who had meantime got out of the carriage.

Is your father at home?' inquired Lord Penrhyss, recognising her at once from her likeness to Bryan.

'No, sir. But he will not be very long away, I think. Do you want him? Please come into the keeping-room, and I will send for him at once. Jack!' she called out, 'run and look for father and bring him here.'