re. The distance from this to the Grange is far greater than
you suppose: you could not reach it till an hour or more after dark, and
you would scarcely be able to find your way back through the forest by
yourself."

Unwilling as Jack was to give up his purpose of paying a visit to his
friends that evening, he was compelled to comply with his companion's
wishes, for Burdale gave him to understand very clearly that he had no
intention of accompanying him. A substantial meal of venison-steaks,
wheaten bread, and oaten cakes, to which Jack was nothing loath to do
ample justice, was soon placed on the table.

"Come, Master Rymer, you can find us a flagon of wine, too, and of the
best, I know that," said Burdale. "Come, man, rummage out your stores,
you used not to be niggard of your liquor."

The old man, after some hesitation, pretended or real, took a bunch of
keys, and descended the stairs to the chamber beneath the hall. He soon
returned with a flagon of wine, which his guests pronounced to be
excellent. Burdale drank freely himself, and pressed Jack to imitate
his example. Being generally temperate, Jack found at length that he
had taken more wine than was his wont, and began to feel an unusual
drowsiness stealing over him. The old couple kept up a conversation
with Ned Burdale, seemingly somewhat indifferent of Jack's presence.
Now and then they addressed him.

"You belong to these parts, do you?" asked the old man, fixing his keen
glance on Jack.

"I was born and bred in Nottingham," answered Jack.

"And never been out here at the Hagg before?"

"No," said Jack, "I never heard of the place before."

"Well, to be sure it's a good long distance from the town, and away from
all high-roads. You would have a hard job to find it, even if you were
looking for it, I suspect."

"You have a bold heart, I hope," said the old woman, "for those who
spend a night in this house require one."

"I am not much given to be afraid," answered Jack, laughing; "but what
makes you say that?"

"Why, for a good reason: because the old tower is haunted. We didn't
like it when we first came here, but we've got accustomed to it. There
was an old family lived here in the time of Charles, the king whose head
was cut off, when all the men of the family lost their lives in the
Civil Wars, and the ladies died of broken hearts, or something of that
sort. At all events, the old tower was left deserted, and for many
years no one