“‘This is our hour!’ she cried; ’this the day for which we have had long patience!  Thus can we smite the false Trevlyns, yet do them no bodily hurt; thus can we smite them, and lay no hand upon the house of Wyvern.  It is the Trevlyns that love the red gold; the grasping, covetous Trevlyns who will feel most keenly this blow!  Upon the gentler spirits of the ladies the loss of wealth will fall less keenly.  The proud men will feel it.  They will gnash their teeth in impotent fury.  Our vow of vengeance will be accomplished.  We shall smite the foe by taking away from him the desire of his heart, and yet lay no hand upon any who is loved by a Wyvern.’

“And this desire after vengeance took hold of all those gathered in the ruined mill that night, whilst into Long Robin’s eyes there crept a gleam which Esther liked not to see; for it spoke of a lust after gold for its own sake which she had striven to quench amongst her children, and she wished not to see them enriched beyond what was needful for their daily wants, knowing that the possession of gold and treasure would bring about the slackening of those bonds which had hitherto bound them together.”

Joanna paused, and looked long into Cuthbert’s attentive face.  He asked no question, and presently she continued: 

“Esther laid this charge upon those who were to go forth after the treasure:  They might move it from its present resting place, and hide it somewhere in the forest, as securely as they would; but no man should lay hands upon the spoil.  It should be hidden away intact as it was found.  It should belong to none, but be guarded by all; so that if the day should come when the Trevlyns should have won the love and trust of their whilom foes, we should have the power to make restitution to them in full.”

Cuthbert started, and his eyes gleamed beneath their dark brows; but Joanna lifted her hand and continued: 

“Remember I am telling the tale as I learned it from Esther.  As she spoke those words she saw a dark gleam shine in Robin’s eyes—­saw a glitter of rage and wrath that told her he would defy her if he dared.  The rest opposed her not.  The wild, free life of the forest had not bred in them any covetous lust after gold.  So long as the day brought food and raiment sufficient for their needs they asked no more.  Men called them robbers, murderers, freebooters; but though they might deserve these names, there was yet much good in them.  They robbed the rich alone; to the poor they showed themselves kindly and generous.  They were eager to find and secrete this treasure, but agreed by acclamation that it should not be touched.  Only Robin answered not, but looked askance with evil eye; and him alone of the eight men intrusted with the task did she distrust.”

“Then why was he sent?”

“Verily because he was too powerful to be refused.  It would have made a split in the camp, and the end of that might no man see.  She was forced to send him in charge of the expedition; and he alone of the eight that went forth ever returned to the mill.”