ry removed to the vicarage and
served Father Thomas faithfully, and they guarded their secret. And
beside the nave is a little high turret built, where burns a lamp in a
lantern at the top, to give light to those at sea.

Now the beast troubled those of whom I write no more; but it is
easier to raise up evil than to lay it; and there are those that say
that to this day a man or a woman with an evil thought in their hearts
may see on a certain evening in November, at the ebb of the tide, a
goatlike thing wade in the water, snuffing at the sand, as though it
sought but found not. But of this I know nothing.

THE TROTH OF THE SWORD

Sir Hugh was weary, for he had ridden far and fast that day, and
ridden warily too, by bypaths and green forest roads, for the country
was much harried by robbers at that time, under the grim chief that
went by the name of the Red Hound: he was an outlaw that had been a
knight; but for his cruelty and his blackness of heart and his
pitiless wickedness he had been driven from his stronghold into the
forest, where he lived a hunted life, rending hitherto all that were
sent against him, a terror in the land; writing his anger upon broken
churches and charred farmsteads. Sparing none but the children whom he
took to serve him, and maidens to please himself and his men.

But Sir Hugh had been safe enough; for the Red Hound was out
northwards; and Sir Hugh was gallantly attended by a troop of jingling
horse, that went swiftly before and behind him, while he rode in the
midst, silent as was his wont, his eyes dwelling wistfully upon the
green and lonely places of the forest, the bright faces of the
flowers, and the woodland things that slipped away into the brake. For
all his deeds of might--and Hugh though young in years was old in
valour--he had a deep desire for peace and the fair and beautiful arts
of life. He could sing tuneably to the lute; and he loved the delicate
things of earth with a love of which he spoke to none.

At last they struck out of the forest into a firmer road; and here was
a wall by the wayside and a towered gate; but the wood climbed steeply
within. At the gate they halted, and presently Sir Hugh was admitted.
The road within was paved with stone, and led to the left; and here
Sir Hugh dismounted, and saying that he would stretch his limbs, left
his horse to be led by the page that rode beside him, giving him a
smiling glance, which had made