arson evidently knows a good deal about
the plot; and I should be thankful if I was free of him also. But what
can I now do? I am in his power; and if I were to go back to
Nottingham, I should be in difficulty about that poaching affair; while,
if I offend him, he can at any moment inform against me for delivering
those letters. Well, I must go through with it, and wait patiently for
the result."

Such thoughts occupied his mind till he reached the clump of trees
within which he expected to find Burdale and the horses. The shades of
evening were already approaching, and a thick mass of brushwood, which
grew outside, prevented him from seeing into the interior of the wood.
He had to walk round some distance indeed before he could find an
entrance. More than once he gave a whistle, the sign agreed on, without
receiving any answer. The idea occurred to him that Burdale had turned
traitor, or, weary of waiting for him, had gone back with the horses.
At length he shouted, "Master Burdale! Master Burdale! where are you?"

He was at last relieved by seeing the man leading the horses towards
him.

"Why, Mr Deane, you shouted loud enough to wake up Robin Hood and his
merry men from their graves!" said his guide, as he came up. "It's to
be hoped no strangers were passing whom we should not like to meet! You
forgot the side of the wood where you left me. However, let us mount
now and be off, for the night promises to be dark, and I should like to
get into a part of the forest I know better than this while we have a
little twilight to guide us."

A ride through a forest in the dusk is a difficult matter, and dangerous
withal, from the outstretched boughs overhead, and slippery roots, and
holes beneath. Fully three hours were occupied in reaching the Hagg.

"Go in!" said Burdale to Jack, as they came in front of the old
building. "I will take the horses round to the stables; and you will be
welcome there."

"I hope I may not see any more of the ghosts!" said Jack: "I had enough
of them last night."

"As to that, I don't know," answered Burdale; "but do you follow the old
people's example, and let them alone, and they will let you alone,
depend upon that!"

Some loud groans were heard above Jack's head as he spoke, and he could
not help starting, so melancholy and deep sounding were they. The next
instant, however, he recollected the old woman's description of the
haunted oak, and, looking round at the venerabl