we must all slip from this forest speedily, and leave Sir
Daniel free."

"My mind misgiveth me for Jack," paid the lad.

"For Jack!" repeated Duckworth. "O, I see, for the
wench! Nay, Dick, I promise you, if there come talk of
any marriage we shall act at once; till then, or till the
time is ripe, we shall all disappear, even like shadows at
morning; Sir Daniel shall look east and west, and see
none enemies; he shall think, by the mass, that he hath
dreamed awhile, and hath now awakened in his bed. But
our four eyes, Dick, shall follow him right close, and our
four hands -- so help us all the army of the saints!--shall
bring that traitor low!"

Two days later Sir Daniel's garrison had grown to such
a strength that he ventured on a sally, and at the head of
some two score horsemen, pushed without opposition as
far as Tunstall hamlet. Not an arrow flew, not a man
stirred in the thicket; the bridge was no longer guard-
ed, but stood open to all comers; and as Sir Daniel cross-
ed it, he saw the villagers looking timidly from their
doors.

Presently one of them, taking heart of grace, came for-
ward, and with the lowliest salutations, presented a letter
to the knight.

His face darkened as he read the contents. It ran
thus:

-140-