"You may
have heard that before I departed for France I passed some days in the
forest in company with Herne the Hunter. What then happened to me I
may not disclose; but I vowed never to rest till I have freed this forest
from the weird being who troubles it."
"Say you so?" cried Surrey; "then you are most fortunately
encountered, Sir Thomas, for I myself, as Richmond will tell you, am
equally bent upon the fiend's expulsion. We will be companions in the
adventure."
"We will speak of that anon," replied Wyat. "I was sorry to find this
cottage uninhabited, and the fair damsel who dwelt within it, when I
beheld it last, gone. What has become of her?
"It is a strange story," said Richmond. And he proceeded to relate all
that was known to have befallen Mabel.
Wyat listened with profound attention to the recital, and at its close,
said, " I think I can find a clue to this mystery, but to obtain it I must go
alone. Meet me here at midnight to-morrow, and I doubt not we shall be
able to accomplish our design."
"May I not ask for some explanation of your scheme?" said Surrey.
"Not yet," rejoined Wyat. "But I will freely confess to you that there is
much danger in the enterprise--danger that I would not willingly any one
should share with me, especially you, Surrey, to whom I owe so much.
Pages:
422
423
424
425
426
427
428
429
430
431
432
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441
442
443
444
445
446