Chapter I: Preface

On the analogy of the famous apple,--“there ain’t going to be no” preface, “not nohow.” Children do not read prefaces, so anything of a prefatory nature that might interest them is put at the beginning of chapter one.

As for the grown-ups the story is not written for grown-ups, and if they want to know why it begins with such a gruesome first chapter, let them ask the children. Children like the horrors first and the end all bright. Many grown-ups like the tragedy at the end. But perhaps the children are right and the grown-ups are standing on their heads. Besides they can skip the first chapter; it is only a prologue.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE

I HATE 1

II SECRETS 9

III HATE AND LOVE 29

IV THE PRISONER 55

V THE THIEF 79

VI BITTERNESS 94

VII DEATH 104

VIII REMORSE 111

IX THE JUDGMENT 115

X THE PACKMAN’S VISIT 126

XI SWORDS AND QUESTIONINGS 140

XII “MOLL O’ THE GRAVES” 156

XIII COMING EVENTS CAST SHADOWS 166

XIV GOOD-BYE 182

XV THE TERROR OF THE MIST 189

XVI A DESPERATE TASK 200

XVII CARLISLE 217

XVIII A DIPLOMATIC VICTORY 226

XIX THE LOSS 247

XX PERSECUTION 253

XXI TORTURE 259

XXII TO THE RESCUE 282

XXIII DUEL TO THE DEATH 296

XXIV A RIDE IN VAIN 317

XXV AMAZING DISCOVERIES 329

XXVI THE BATTLE OF LIDDISDALE 344

XXVII THE BIRTHDAY PARTY 354

XXVIII THE LAST ADVENTURE 378

XXIX A TALE OF A TUB 388

XXX THE GREAT IRON CHEST 401

A, STAIRCASE TO SOLAR AND ALINE’S ROOM; B, STAIRCASE TO SOLAR AND
NORTH ROOMS; C, BUTTERY (the place where the drink was kept, Cf.
French _boire_); D, PANTRY (the place where the food was kept,
Cf. French _pain_); E, CHAPEL.

NOTE.--The approach is from the north, therefore the usual position
of the compass is inverted. The scale is a scale of feet.

PLAN OF THE HALL
HOLWICK, YORKSHIRE]

THE CHILD OF THE MOAT

A STORY FOR GIRLS