d then wondered where he was. Ever since they had
come together to the doors of the Moat House the younger lad had
disappeared, and Dick began to weary for a word with him.

About an hour after, mass being somewhat hastily run through by Sir
Oliver, the company gathered in the hall for dinner. It was a long, low
apartment, strewn with green rushes, and the walls hung with arras in a
design of savage men and questing bloodhounds; here and there hung
spears and bows and bucklers; a fire blazed in the big chimney; there
were arras-covered benches round the wall, and in the midst the table,
fairly spread, awaited the arrival of the diners. Neither Sir Daniel nor
his lady made their appearance. Sir Oliver himself was absent, and here
again there was no word of Matcham. Dick began to grow alarmed, to
recall his companion's melancholy forebodings, and to wonder to himself
if any foul play had befallen him in that house.

After dinner he found Goody Hatch, who was hurrying to my lady Brackley.

"Goody," he said, "where is Master Matcham, I prithee? I saw ye go in
with him when we arrived."

The old woman laughed aloud.

"Ah, Master Dick," she said, "y' have a famous bright eye in your head,
to be sure!" and laughed again.

"Nay, but where is he, indeed?" persisted Dick.

"Ye will never see him more," she returned; "never. It is sure."

"An I do not," returned the lad, "I will know the reason why. He came
not hither of his full free will; such as I am, I am his best protector,
and I will see him justly used. There be too many mysteries; I do begin
to weary of the game!"

But, as Dick was speaking, a heavy hand fell on his shoulder. It was
Bennet Hatch that had come unperceived behind him. With a jerk of his
thumb, the retainer dismissed his wife.

"Friend Dick," he said, as soon as they were alone, "are ye a moonstruck
natural? An ye leave not certain things in peace, ye were better in the
salt sea than here in Tunstall Moat House. Y' have questioned me; y'
have baited Carter; y' have frighted the jack-priest with hints. Bear
ye more wisely, fool; and even now, when Sir Daniel calleth you, show me
a smooth face, for the love of wisdom. Y' are to be sharply questioned.
Look to your answers."

"Hatch," returned Dick, "in all this I smell a guilty conscience."

"An ye go not the wiser, ye will soon smell blood," replied Bennet. "I
do but warn you. And here cometh one to call you."

And indeed, at that very moment, a