Cuthbert started and looked intently at her.

“Miriam!  Tyrrel! what can they know?”

“Miriam can piece together facts as well as I,” answered Esther in rapid tones; “and thou oughtest by this to know what power that gives to those who possess the gift.  In brief, I will tell thee what I myself have learned from her and others.  She missed Long Robin, waited for his return till despair took the place of expectation.  She knew that one of two things had happened—­either that he had made off with the treasure, or that he had been done to death in the forest by some secret foe.  Burning with fear and fury, she caused search to be made.  The grave was found where the body lay.  Rage filled the hearts of all the tribe, for the strange old man was venerated and feared, albeit he was not greatly beloved; and as thou knowest, amongst our people an injury done to one is avenged by all.  Thou hadst been seen in the forest, seen moving to and fro in mysterious fashion.  Many had wondered what thy business was, but none had interfered; for thou wast known to be under the protection of Joanna, and the word of the queen is sacred.  But now that may serve no longer to protect thee.  Miriam has declared aloud that Robin was the keeper of the long-lost treasure, that he was hoarding it up in some secret spot, ready to divide it amongst the whole tribe when the moment should have come.  In fervid words she described the golden hoard—­the hoard which I know well that evil man meant to make all his own when the time came that he might escape from the jealous watch kept upon him by Miriam.  He was but waiting for her death, which may not be far distant, since she is subject to strange seizures of the heart which defy all our skill in curing.  Then would he have fled, and taken all the treasure with him.  He would have shared the spoil with none, as Miriam well knows.  But she is using her power and her half knowledge of the secret for her own ends, and one of those ends is—­”

The old woman paused, looking straight at Cuthbert, who regarded her fixedly, and now asked in a low voice: 

“Is what?”

“The destruction of the house of Trevlyn, root and branch.”

A gleam of angry defiance shone in his eyes.

“Still that mad hatred?  But why should we fear her?  Let her do her worst!”

Esther raised a warning hand.

“Peace, boy!” she said; “be not so full of recklessness and scorn.  Miriam is an adversary not to be despised.  Miriam is sworn to the task of vengeance upon thy house.  She will not let this fresh deed of thine pass without striving might and main to fulfil that vengeance which thou hast now made void.”

“Made void?”

“Ay, by the finding of the treasure.  She is assured that this is what thou hast done.  She has persuaded Tyrrel and his band of it, and all are resolved to find it for themselves.  She is acting with the craftiness of her nature.  She has persuaded them that all the Trevlyns are in the golden secret.  Wherefore vengeance is not directed against thee alone, but against all who bear thy name—­Sir Richard and his son, who are in this city now.”