they beheld a wooden coffer. Dee sung out a Latin prayer as
usual; for he failed not to pour out his thanks with great fervour for
any selfish indulgence that fell in his way, or, as he imagined, was
granted to him by the special favour of Heaven.

"There," said Bartholomew, raising the box, which from its weight and
capacity promised a rich reward, "I think we have now what will season
our labours well. What think you, Master Dee?"

But the Doctor was absorbed in visions of future greatness, now bursting
on him with a glory and rapidity almost painful to contemplate. He
seized the shrine, scarcely giving his helpmate time to fill up and
conceal their depredations.

"But the fifty pieces--have you got them safe?" inquired Bartholomew.

"They are in my pouch. I do think the demon hath forgotten to demand
them."

"Fear not, he will be ready enough to ask for his own. What comes o'er
the devil's back will sooner or later go under his belly!"

"Let us pack and begone," said the Doctor, fearful of losing his
treasure.

The box was presently swung over the seer's shoulders, Dee following to
keep all safe, though not without many apprehensions and misgivings of
heart. He feared lest the spirit might appear again for his own; or, at
least, for the fifty pieces of gold, which were his right.

Just as they came to the gap by the yew-tree, and Bartholomew was
resting against the trunk, a voice from behind them shouted--

"Stop!--What make ye here, ye villains?"

Dee turned round and the light flashed upon two armed men, masked, who
evidently came towards them with no friendly intent.

"Put down that box," said the foremost.

Bartholomew was proceeding to surrender at discretion, but Dee first
inquired their errand.

"We can tell ye that in a twinkling," said the malicious intruders,
"after we have stepped up to the lodge, and given them a pretty guess at
the quality of the knaves who be robbing of their garden. Nay, Doctor,
we take no excuse, unless we take our share of the spoil with it. To
work, or ye budge not hence without discovery."

This was a provoking interruption--their all depended on a favourable
issue to this adventure. Dee therefore offered terms of capitulation as
follows:--

"I'll give you five-and-twenty gold pieces on the spot if ye will let us
pass."

"Five-and-twenty!--why, that box may hold five-and-twenty hundred," said
the freebooter with a whistle, by way of derision.

"Perhaps not," s