“Were you sorry when she went away from here?” Nerina asked.
The old man shot her a strange glance.
“So you knows that she went away, do you?” he enquired.
“I have heard people say that she went to Wroth Castle.”.
“Aye, she did and all. That’s the truth, she went to Wroth Castle, but not afore somethin’ happened so secret that if I tell you what it was, you must promise to speak of it to no one.”
“Oh, do tell me,” Nerina urged.
There was the light of mischief in the old man’s eyes.
“I told you it was old Harry who knew all the secrets about here. This secret is a very old ’un, there’s none that knows it except me.”
“What is it?” Nerina asked.
“I’m a-tellin’ you,” the old man said, “but mind you, I always meant to tell it only to Sir Rupert ’imself. Year after year I’ve looked for
