Well, well," returned Sir George, "since it baffles thy wits to
discover whom it was, thou hadst best have the grace of forgiveness,
it will become thee well. But a truce to this. I came to counsel with
you of the murder. Any more news, Sir Thomas?"

"I hear that the old hag, Durden, had a quarrel with the pedlar the
day before his death," answered Stanley, "and she told him to his face
that he would come to no gentle end."

"They have often quarrelled," added Margaret, who felt bound to add
something to her lover's statement.

"Yes, then," said Sir George, "I have it now. I guessed it was her
from the very beginning."

"Nay, nay," interrupted Dorothy, "you suspected the smith at first."

"Well, Doll, it makes no matter of difference if I did. 'Tis the
old witch, sure enough, and she will either hang or drown for it, I
swear."

"Not so fast, either though, worthy knight," interrupted Stanley. "I
am not yet satisfied that it really was the witch, for she seems to
have been at home all day, except when she was by the side of the
stocks."

"Courting the proud smith," added Lady Vernon, referring to a rumour
in the neighbourhood.

"But he was killed in the woods," said Dorothy.

"Tut, there's not a doubt about the matter," pursued Sir George, "not
the shadow of a doubt."

"Nevertheless there is something in what Dorothy urges, and we
had better make some sort of inquiry," suggested the more cautious
Stanley; "for thou hast many jealous enemies, Sir George, who would
gladly score a triumph over thee an they had but half a chance."

"Sir Ronald Bury, for instance," added Margaret.

"But why Sir Ronald?" asked De Lacey. "He is a simple enough knight, I
trow."

"Pooh, I care naught for him," replied Sir George Vernon; "he is
jealous of the beauty of my daughters."

"And wants a husband for his child," added Lady Maude.

"Let him want, then," testily returned the baron. "He may turn green
with envy for aught I care. I'll do it to his face, I will."

But in the end wiser counsels prevailed, and the knight gave way so
far as to order a trial of touch--a superstitious form of trial much
relied upon in the times when witchcraft was commonly believed in.

The witching hour of twilight was chosen for this crude but solemn
trial, and at the time appointed a large crowd was gathered in the
great courtyard of Haddon in obedience to a mandate of the King of the
Peak, which they dared not disobey.

As the crowd sway