lore that only the children of the forest gather.  What chance had they of learning secrets which but few may know?  I trow none.  I will not believe that great treasure has been cast away to the four winds.  I verily believe it is still hidden away beneath the earth in some strange resting place known but to a few living souls.  What do these wild gipsy folks want with gold and silver and jewels?  They have all they need with the heavens above them and the earth beneath.  They may love to have a buried hoard; they may love to feel that they have treasure at command if they desire it; but I can better believe they would keep it safe hidden in their forest or moorland home than that they would scatter it abroad by dividing it amongst their tribe.  Moreover, any such sudden wealth would draw upon them suspicion and contumely.  They would be hunted down and persecuted like the Jews in old days.  No:  they may well have stolen it out of revenge, but I believe they have hidden it away as they took it.  It shall be my part to learn where it lies; and may the Holy Saints aid and bless me in the search!”

Cuthbert crossed himself as he invoked the Saints, for at heart he was a Romanist still, albeit he had had the wit to see that the same cardinal doctrines were taught by the Established Church of the land, whose services he had several times attended.  And even as he made the gesture he became suddenly aware that he was not alone on the road.  A solitary traveller mounted on a strong horse was standing beneath the shadow of a tree hard by, and regarding his approach with some curiosity, though the lad had not been aware of his close proximity until his horse paused and snorted.

“Good even, young man,” said this traveller, in a pleasant voice that bespoke gentle birth.  “I was waiting to see if I had an enemy to deal with in the shape of one of those rogues of the road, cutpurses or highwaymen, of whom one bears so many a long tale.  But these travel in companies, and it behoves wise travellers to do likewise.  How comes it that a stripling like you are out alone in this lone place?  Is it a hardy courage or stern necessity?”

“I know not that it is one or the other,” answered Cuthbert.  “But I have not far to go this night, and I have not much to lose, though as that little is my all I shall make a fight ere I part with it.  But by what I hear there is little danger of molestation till one reaches Hammerton Heath.  And I propose to halt on the edge of that place, and sleep at the hostelry there.”

“If you follow my counsel, my young friend,” said the stranger as he paced along beside Cuthbert, “you will not adventure yourself in that den of thieves.  Not long ago it was a safe place for a traveller, but now it is more perilous to enter those doors than to spend the darkest night upon the road.  The new landlord is in league with the worst of the rogues and foot pads who frequent the heath, and no traveller who dares to ask a night’s shelter there is allowed to depart without suffering injury either in person or pocket.  Whither are you bound, my young friend, if I may ask the question?”