"Nevertheless," said De Whalley, "I have some clue to the search, if
the glance of his eye, which these varlets have reported, do show truly
where the treasure is hidden. I will foil the old fox yet with his own
weapons."
This comfortable reflection, in all probability, moderated his anger at
the unskilful disposition of his messengers, whom he dismissed with
little ceremony from his presence.
In the meantime the new castellan was exercising his power with
unsparing and immoderate severity. Oliver de Wortshorn was almost
heartbroken; the old man suddenly found himself reduced to the condition
of a mere dependant on the self-will and caprice of this petty tyrant,
his authority having been usurped, and his office wrested from him, by
the hand of a stranger. Adam de Dutton[51] was the name of this new
functionary, and he rode it out bravely over the necks of the servants
and retainers, discharging some, punishing others, and making the whole
community groan beneath the iron yoke of his oppression. Had there been
a master-spirit to wield the elements of conspiracy, and unite the
several members, so as to act from one common impulse, matters were just
ripe for rebellion.
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