On reaching the tower, a signal was given by one of the foremost of the band, and the steps being lowered from the high doorway, she was compelled to ascend them, and being pushed along a short passage, obscured by a piece of thick tapestry, but which was drawn aside as she advanced, she found herself in a circular chamber, in the midst of which was a massive table covered with flasks and drinking-cups, and stained with wine.  From the roof, which was crossed by great black beams of oak, was suspended a lamp with three burners, whose light showed that the walls were garnished with petronels, rapiers, poniards, and other murderous weapons; besides these there were hung from pegs long riding-cloaks, sombreros, vizards, and other robber accoutrements, including a variety of disguises, from the clown’s frieze jerkin to the gentleman’s velvet doublet, ready to be assumed on an emergency.  Here and there was an open valise, or a pair of saddle-bags with their contents strewn about the floor, and on a bench were a dice-box and shuffle-board, showing, with the flasks and goblets on the table, how the occupants of the tower passed their time.

A steep ladder-like flight of steps led to the upper chamber, and down these, at the very moment of Mistress Nutter’s entrance, descended a stalwart personage, who eyed her fiercely as he leapt upon the floor.  There was something in the man’s truculent physiognomy, and strange and oblique vision, that reminded her of Mother Demdike.

“Welcome to Malkin Tower, madam,” said the robber with a grin, and doffing his cap with affected courtesy.  “We have met before, but it is many years ago, and I dare say you have forgotten me.  You will guess who I am when I tell you my mother occupied this tower before me.”

Finding Mistress Nutter made no remark, he went on.

“I am Christopher Demdike, madam—­Captain Demdike, I should say.  The brave fellows who have brought you hither are part of my band, and till lately Northumberland and the borders of Scotland used to be our scene of action; but chancing to hear of my worthy old mother’s death, I thought we could not do better than take possession of her stronghold, which devolved upon me by right of inheritance.  Since our arrival here we have kept ourselves very quiet, and the country folk, taking us for spirits or demons, never approach our hiding-place; while, as all our depredations are confined to distant parts, our retreat has never been suspected.”

“This concerns me little,” observed Mistress Nutter, coldly.

“Pardon me, madam, it concerns you much, as you will learn anon.  But be seated, I pray you,” he said, with mock civility.  “I am keeping you standing all this while.”

But as the lady declined the attention, he went on.

“I was fortunate enough, on first coming back to this part of the country, to pick up an acquaintance with your relative, Nicholas Assheton, who invited me to stay with him at Downham, and was so well pleased with my society that he could not endure to part with me.”