obvious, he thought, that, for the present, there should be no
communication between Sir Christopher and himself.

Rapidly and in silence the party pushed on, until they came to the
small clearing surrounding the Knight's house. Here they halted, and
Spikeman placed his men around the open space so as completely to
surround it, with orders for half or their number to advance
simultaneously toward the centre, while the others remained in the
shadow of the wood. The manoeuvre was so skilfully executed, that it
was impossible for any one within the house to escape--the men
composing the circle, meeting at the same moment at the centre.

The deep silence of the night was first interrupted by the noise the
Assistant made on the door with the handle of his dagger.

"Who is there?" inquired the drowsy voice of one as if just awakened.

"A person demanding admission," answered Spikeman.

"I know that, else would you not be knocking. Very well; abide a
moment till I don some clothing and I will open, when we will become
better acquainted."

Accordingly, in a few moments the door was opened, and Spikeman, with
half a dozen men, rushed into the house, leaving the others to guard
the exterior. Philip Joy (for it was he) was instantly seized, and
ordered to tell where the Knight was to be found.

"It is easier to ask questions than to get answers," said Philip. "For
me, I never could speak plain till I had been awake a half hour or
so."

"Sirrah!" cried Spikeman, sternly; "trifle not, or I will have thee
scourged within sight of the gates of death. Answer--where is Sir
Christopher Gardiner?"

"An' I knew I would not tell thee," replied Philip. "Make no ugly
faces at me, Master Spikeman, for it is of no use. Look for yourself,
an' you like."

"He cannot avoid us, if he be in the house," said Spikeman, turning
away. "Here, Ephraim," he added, addressing one of the men; "come thou
with me. We will waste no more words with this fellow, but see whither
this door leads."

"Stop!" exclaimed Philip; "it is the passage to the chamber of the
Lady Geraldine."

"Forward! Ephraim," cried Spikeman; "we cannot be delayed in this way.
Heed not his clamor."

By the light of the tallow candles, which they had brought with them,
the two proceeded, in spite of the remonstrances of the soldier. The
door admitting into the larger apartment of the lady, and into which
we were introduced at our first acquaintance with her, was open, but
t