n upon his feet.

"Eat with despatch," he said, "and follow me yarely to mine house."

And with that he set forth again into the woods; and presently after the
bell began to sound, numbering his steps, and the two lads sat by their
untasted meal, and heard it die slowly away up-hill into the distance.

"And so ye go to Tunstall?" Dick inquired.

"Yea, verily," said Matcham, "when needs must! I am braver behind Sir
Daniel's back than to his face."

They ate hastily, and set forth along the path through the airy upper
levels of the forest, where great beeches stood apart among green lawns,
and the birds and squirrels made merry on the boughs. Two hours later
they began to descend upon the other side, and already, among the
tree-tops, saw before them the red walls and roofs of Tunstall House.

"Here," said Matcham, pausing, "ye shall take your leave of your friend
Jack, whom y' are to see no more. Come, Dick, forgive him what he did
amiss, as he, for his part, cheerfully and lovingly forgiveth you."

"And wherefore so?" asked Dick. "An we both go to Tunstall, I shall see
you yet again, I trow, and that right often."

"Ye'll never again see poor Jack Matcham," replied the other, "that was
so fearful and burthensome, and yet plucked you from the river; ye'll
not see him more, Dick, by mine honour!" He held his arms open, and the
lads embraced and kissed. "And, Dick," continued Matcham, "my spirit
bodeth ill. Y' are now to see a new Sir Daniel; for heretofore hath all
prospered in his hands exceedingly, and fortune followed him; but now,
methinks, when his fate hath come upon him, and he runs the adventure of
his life, he will prove but a foul lord to both of us. He may be brave
in battle, but he hath the liar's eye; there is fear in his eye, Dick,
and fear is as cruel as the wolf! We go down into that house, St. Mary
guide us forth again!"

And so they continued their descent in silence, and came out at last
before Sir Daniel's forest stronghold, where it stood, low and shady,
flanked with round towers and stained with moss and lichen, in the
lilied waters of the moat. Even as they appeared, the doors were opened,
the bridge lowered, and Sir Daniel himself, with Hatch and the parson at
his side, stood ready to receive them.

BOOK II

THE MOAT HOUSE

CHAPTER I

DICK ASKS QUESTIONS

The Moat House stood not far from the rough forest road. Externally it
was a compact rectangle of red stone, flanke