in it I
must go alone. Meet me here at midnight to-morrow, and I doubt not we
shall be able to accomplish our design."

"May I not ask for some explanation of your scheme?" said Surrey.

"Not yet," rejoined Wyat. "But I will freely confess to you that there
is much danger in the enterprise--danger that I would not willingly any
one should share with me, especially you, Surrey, to whom I owe so much.
If you do not find me here, therefore, to-morrow night, conclude that I
have perished, or am captive."

"Well, be it as you will, Wyat," said Surrey; "but I would gladly
accompany you, and share your danger."

"I know it, and I thank you," returned Wyat, warmly grasping the other's
hand; "but much--nay, all--may remain to be done to-morrow night. You
had better bring some force with you, for we may need it."

"I will bring half a dozen stout archers," replied Surrey--"and if you
come not, depend upon it, I will either release you or avenge you."

"I did not intend to prosecute this adventure further," said Richmond;
"but since you are both resolved to embark in it, I will not desert
you."

Soon after this, the friends separated,--Surrey and Richmond taking
horse and returning to the castle, discoursing on the unlooked--for
meeting with Wyat, while the latter again entered the skiff, and rowed
down the lake. As soon as the hut was clear, two persons descended the
steps of a ladder leading to a sort of loft in the roof, and sprang upon
the floor of the hut.

"Ho! ho! Ho!" laughed the foremost, whose antlered helm and wild garb
proclaimed him to be Herne; "they little dreamed who were the hearers of
their conference. So they think to take me, Fenwolf--ha!"

"They know not whom they have to deal with," rejoined the latter.

"They should do so by this time," said Herne; "but I will tell thee why
Sir Thomas Wyat has undertaken this enterprise. It is not to capture me,
though that may be one object that moves him. But he wishes to see
Mabel Lyndwood. The momentary glimpse he caught of her bright eyes was
sufficient to inflame him."

"Ah!" exclaimed Fenwolf, "think you so?"

"I am assured of it," replied Herne. "He knows the secret of the cave,
and will find her there."

"But he will never return to tell what he has seen," said Fenwolf
moodily.

"I know not that," replied Herne. "I have my own views respecting him. I
want to renew my band."

"He will never join you," rejoined Fenwolf.

"What if I offer him Mabel