r Grimstone, and my
body would repay you for it, if there was time, which, I take it, there
lacks just now, for it is past eleven. Observe, gentlemen, Jack Roupall
retreats not--he only retires." As he spoke, he pushed from a corner of
the apartment, a huge settle of black oak, that apparently required the
strength of six men to displace, but which the trooper handled as easily
as if it had been a child's cradle. He then slid aside a panel, that
fitted most accurately into the wall, of which it appeared a part; and
in a few moments the party, consisting of some five or six, had entered
the aperture, carrying with them the remnants of their feast, at the
particular request of the old woman, who exhibited great alarm lest any
symptom of revelling should remain. The last had hardly made good his
retreat, when a loud knock at the door confirmed the dame in her
apprehensions.

"In the devil's name!" she growled, "how am I to shove this mountain
into its place? One of you must remain here; I might as well attempt to
throw Blackburn cliff into the sea."

"I'll stay then, if you'll wait a minute," replied Roupall; "I defy the
devil and all his works; and old Noll himself, the worst of them:--so
here goes."

Another and a louder noise testified the traveller's impatience; but the
summons was repeated a third time before the settle was replaced, and
the room restored to its usually desolate and inhospitable appearance.
Roupall ascended a narrow ladder, that led to the loft of the
cottage-like dwelling, carrying with him a pack resembling those used by
itinerant venders of goods; and Mother Hays (for such was her cognomen)
holding the flickering candle in one hand, unfastened the door with the
other, while Crisp crouched and snarled at her feet.

"You could not have been all asleep, dame," said the stranger, as he
threw off his horseman's cloak, and hung his rapier on the back of the
nearest seat, "for I distinctly saw lights. Is your son within?"

"No, marry, good sir; he is far away, in London, with his master, Sir
Willmott Burrell, who was looked for home to-day, but came not, as I
hear from some neighbours, belonging to East Church and Warden, who were
at Lady Cecil's funeral."

"Do you expect me to believe there is no one in the house but yourself?"

"One other kind gentleman, a pedlar-man, a simple body, who lies above;
he's weary travelling, and sleeps soundly."

The stranger took off his hat; and as he shook his h