; and it
may be that one hath wandered out of the waves, like a dog that hath
strayed from his home. I dare not say, till I have met it face to
face. But God gives no power to such things to hurt those who have a
fair conscience."--And here he made a stop, and looked at the three;
Bridget sate regarding him with a hope in her face; but the other two
sate peering upon the ground; and the priest divined in some secret
way that all was not well with them. "But I will come at once," he
said, rising, "and I will see if I can cast out or bind the thing,
whatever it be--for I am in this place as a soldier of the Lord, to
fight with works of darkness." He took a clasped book from a table,
and lifted up his hat, saying, "Let us set forth." Then he said as
they left the room, "Hath it appeared to-day?" "Yes, indeed," said
Henry, "and it was ill content. It followed us as though it were
angered." "Come," said Father Thomas, turning upon him, "you speak
thus of a thing, as you might speak of a dog--what is it like?" "Nay,"
said Henry, "I know not; I can never see it clearly; it is like a
speck in the eye--it is never there when you look upon it--it glides
away very secretly; it is most like a goat, I think. It seems to be
horned, and hairy; but I have seen its eyes, and they were yellow,
like a flame."

As he said these words Master Grimston went in haste to the door, and
pulled it open as though to breathe the air. The others followed him
and went out; but Master Grimston drew the priest aside, and said like
a man in a mortal fear, "Look you, Father, all this is true--the thing
is a devil--and why it abides with us I know not; but I cannot live
so; and unless it be cast out it will slay me--but if money be of
avail, I have it in abundance." "Nay," said Father Thomas, "let there
be no talk of money--perchance if I can aid you, you may give of your
gratitude to God." "Ay, ay," said the old man hurriedly, "that was
what I meant--there is money in abundance for God, if He will but set
me free."

So they walked very sadly together through the street. There were few
folk about; the men and the children were all abroad--a woman or two
came to the house doors, and wondered a little to see them pass so
solemnly, as though they followed a body to the grave.

Master Grimston's house was the largest in the place. It had a walled
garden before it, with a strong door set in the wall. The house stood
back from the road, a dark front of brick