He realized now that it would be useless to return to Obadiah.

The old councilor could probably have told him all that he had discovered for himself; that Marion had gone to the castle--that Strang intended to make her his bride that night.

But did Obadiah know that the castle had been abandoned?
Did he know that the king's wives had sought refuge in the temple, and did he know where Marion was hidden?
Nathaniel could assure himself but one answer; Obadiah, struck down by his strange madness, was more ignorant than he himself of what had occurred at St.James.
While he paused a heavy noise arose that quickened his heart-beats and sent the blood through his veins in wild excitement.

From far down by the shore there came the roar of a cannon.

It was closely followed by a second and a third, and hardly was the night shaken by their thunder than a mighty cheering of men swept up from the fire-rimmed coast.