But Cuthbert cautiously proceeded, listening intently for any sounds of life to indicate the presence of Long Robin, the only being likely to be near at such an hour; but all appeared to be intensely still, and presently he commenced his cautious descent into the dell itself, and at last stood beside the old stone wall that guarded the mouth of the well.

Cuthbert had heard something of that well since he had been at his uncle’s house.  Some of the old servants at the Chase knew the forest well, and he had been told the story of the pixies’ dell:  how it had once been a noted spot in the forest, and how travellers turned aside to drink the waters, which were not only fresh and clear and cold, even on the most sultry summer’s day, but were reported to possess healing properties, especially if taken at certain hours of the night and in certain phases of the moon.  Long ago there had been a monastery near the well, and the monks had dispensed the waters to the applicants who came.  But the monastery had fallen into ruins and had disappeared, and after that the pixies were given the credit of the healing waters.  People came to drink them, though less frequently than before; and as the place grew more lonely and deserted, rumours began to float about that the pixies were inimical to man, and that the waters no longer possessed their old power.  Later on still, a more terrible thing was discovered:  it was said that it was death to approach that dell and drink the waters.  Men’s bones had been found in great numbers close about that spot, and it was plain that they must belong to the unhappy wights who, disregarding cautions, had ventured to the place, and had died before they could get away from thence.

After that, as may well be guessed, no sick folks had cared to trouble the dell again.  Travellers made a wide circuit to avoid it, and it was held to be the place of most evil repute in the forest.

All this story was well understood by Cuthbert, who felt no fear of the spot, only a little natural awe as he recollected the deed that had once been done there.  The moon was going down as he looked about him; the dark hour before morning was about to fall upon the world.  He looked about for a resting place in which to conceal himself till he could commence his search, and found the place he desired in a hollow tree, just beyond the circle of smooth sward that surrounded the well itself.

Plainly this tree had been used before for a like purpose.  The leaves had been carefully raked together within, and were covered by a warm rug, in which Cuthbert was not sorry to wrap himself, for the night air was sharp and chilly though the days were hot.

“Long Robin’s rug, or I greatly mistake me,” he said with a smile.  “I trow he would be sore amazed were he to come and find me here.  Howbeit he would but take me for a passing wayfarer, since he knows not my face, and I misdoubt me if he come tonight.  He fears too much Joanna’s watchful eyes and Miriam’s jealous ones.  I will sleep in peace till daylight dawns, and then I will begin my search.”