ick's friend, the farmer, lying
dead there in his own yard, whither his family had dragged him ere they
determined to fly the place. Still, there was fodder in the stable and
they lit a fire in the kitchen hearth and drank of the wine which they
had brought with them from the ship, and ate of the bacon which still
hung from the rafters. This done, they lay down to sleep a while. About
one in the morning, however, Hugh roused Dick and David, saying that he
could rest no more and that something in his heart bade him push on to
Dunwich.

"Then let us follow your heart, master," said Dick, yawning. "Yet I wish
it had waited till dawn to move you. Yes, let us follow your heart to
good or evil. David, go you out and saddle up those nags."

For Dick had worked late at their mail and weapons, which now were
bright and sharp again, and was very weary.

It was after three in the morning when at length, leaving the heath,
they rode up to Dunwich Middlegate, expecting to find it shut against
them at such an hour. But it stood open, nor did any challenge them from
the guardhouse.

"They keep an ill watch in Dunwich now-a-days," grumbled Dick. "Well,
perchance there is one here to whom they can trust that business."

Hugh made no answer, only pressed on down the narrow street, that was
deep and dumb with snow, till at length they drew reign before the door
of his father's house, in the market-place, the great house where he
was born. He looked at the windows and noted that, although they were
unshuttered, no friendly light shone in them. He called aloud, but echo
was his only answer, echo and the moan of the bitter wind and the sullen
roar of the sea.

"Doubtless all men are asleep," he said. "Why should it be otherwise at
such an hour? Let us enter and waken them."

"Yes, yes," answered Dick as he dismounted and threw the reins of his
horse to David. "They are like the rest of Dunwich--asleep."

So they entered and began to search the house by the dim light of the
moon. First they searched the lower chambers, then those where Hugh's
father and his brothers had slept, and lastly the attics. Here they
found the pallets of the serving-folk upon the floor, but none at rest
upon them.

"The house is deserted," said Hugh heavily.

"Yes, yes," answered Dick again, in a cheerful voice; "doubtless Master
de Cressi and your brothers have moved away to escape the pest."

"Pray God they have escaped it!" muttered Hugh. "This pl