hill surrounded by a bleak
moor. The shrine has gone to decay, but it holds a sacred relic of the
Blessed Virgin."

Betty, who was a Catholic, crossed herself and murmured an Ave. Lilly
continued:--

"On the apex of the shrine there is a broken cross. The night is dark
and you may pass without seeing it, therefore I shall direct you how to
find it. A short distance this side of the shrine the road turns sharply
to the left, just before crossing a bourne which is six leagues from
Westminster. After you have crossed the bourne, bring your horses to a
walk, and when you have counted a number equal to the sum of seven times
the square of eleven, counting as the clock ticks, halt, and you will
find the shrine on a hillock in a bleak moor. You may easily see it, as
it will be dark against the snow. Neither rain nor snow touches it, and
the storm spares it. It has been abandoned by men hundreds of years,
therefore the Blessed Virgin protects it from further decay."

He seemed to be a long time coming to the house, but after another pause,
he continued:--

"Half a league beyond the shrine a narrow road branches to the south.
Take it, and soon you will be in the midst of a forest, dark and wild.
The road will be dim and difficult to follow in its windings, but your
horses will keep the way and will take you to a gate in the midst of the
forest. Enter by the gate and follow the road winding among the trees
till you reach the double door or gate in the wall. The house will be
dark save in the third story of the stone tower, where you will see a
star beaming in the window. Raphael, my familiar spirit, will hold the
star for your guidance. In the room of the star, you will find the person
you seek. Delay not!"

He stopped speaking, bent forward, breathed upon a gold plate covered
with mystic signs which rested on a table, rose to an upright posture,
again became rigid, stretched out his hands with face upturned, and
whispered in tones almost inaudible:--

"Come thou, great Raphael, spirit of rescue, and help me this night in a
righteous cause. In the name of Jupiter, the father of the gods, Mercury,
his son, and Psyche, the spirit of the stars!"

He stood dazed for a moment, as though just awakened, then turning
quickly to me, said: "Lose not a moment's time. Hasten at once to the
rescue. I am sure my directions will lead you to her whom you seek."

Betty, George, and I gathered our hats and cloaks, and George, turning to