monks in the days of the border
moss-troopers. For then each good wife of a peel tower sent her
husband to "borrow" from the holy clerks of the Moated Abbey as often
as the larder and money bag were empty. And her way was a woman's way.
She served him at dinner time with only this--a clean spur upon an
empty plate, which being interpreted meant, "If thou would'st eat, good
man of mine, rise and ride."

They lived in dangerous territory, these good monks, and it is small
wonder if after their departure the moated island kept its repute. The
very wealth of "hidie-holes" conduced to deeds that feared the light.

Mad Jeremy in his outcast days had sheltered there. He had explored
them, and that knowledge had been abundantly utilized since the
purchase of the Grange by Mr. Stennis. The whole situation was most
favourable for his traffic, and even now when its good repute was blown
upon, the Cistercian abbots' "hidie-hole" still showed itself capable
of keeping its secrets.

Our Breckonsiders were proverbially slow of belief, but they could not
get over the facts. There before us was the house of Deep Moat, all
open to the eye, silent like a church on week days, prepared as for
visitors from floor to roof tree. And nothing to be found, neither
there, nor in the numerous out-buildings of which Mr. Bailiff Ball, a
man of approven probity, had the charge.

There was nothing for it therefore but to go home. Or rather the
villagers had almost arrived at that decision when Miss Orrin, escorted
by Mr. Ablethorpe, walked suddenly into the midst of the crowd of armed
country folk.

Her appearance caused an angry roar, pikes and scythes were raised
against her. But the presence of a clergyman, the dignity of even an
alien cloth, made them turn away a little shamefacedly. Mr. Ablethorpe
put up his hand to command silence.

"My friends," he said, "I have lived among you long enough to know that
you will offer no indignity to a woman. Miss Orrin is here of her own
wish to explain to you all that may be necessary. She does not, of
course, make herself responsible for the words or actions of all other
members of her family, but so far as she is concerned she is ready to
explain."

"Where is Elsie Stennis? Murderess! Burn the witch! The she-devil!"
These cries, among others, broke from the crowd, and Miss Orrin was
well advised not to attempt any long parley.

"Come with me," she said, "and I will satisfy you! But