ve to increase them," she rejoined. "Nay, I must
go."

And breaking from him, she darted swiftly down the hill, and glanced
across the marsh like a moonbeam.

"Plague on it!" cried Henry, "I have again forgotten to question her
about her birth."

"Shall I despatch this knave, my liege?" cried Suffolk, pointing with
his sword to Fenwolf.

"By no means," said the king; "something may be learnt from him. Hark
thee, thou felon hound; if thou indeed servest the fiend, thou seest he
deserts thee, as he does all who put faith in him."

"I see it," replied Fenwolf, who, finding resistance vain, had folded
his hands doggedly upon his breast.

"Then confess thy evil practices," said the king.

"Give me my life, and I will," replied Fenwolf. And as he uttered the
words, he caught sight of the dark figure of Herne, stationed at the
side of the oak, with its right arm raised menacingly.

"What seest thou?" cried Henry, remarking his fixed gaze towards the
tree, and glancing in that direction.

Fenwolf made no reply.

Henry went up to the tree, and walked round it, but he could see
nothing.

"I will scour the forest to-morrow," he muttered, "and hang every knave
I find within it who cannot give a good account of himself."

"Ho! ho! ho!" laughed a voice, which seemed to proceed from the branches
of the tree. Henry looked up, but no one was visible.

"God's death--derided!" he roared. "Man or devil, thou shalt feel my
wrath."

"Ho! ho! ho!" again laughed the voice.

Stamping with rage, Henry swore a great oath, and smote the trunk of the
tree with his sword.

"Your majesty will search in vain," said Suffolk; "it is clearly the
fiend with whom you have to deal, and the aid of holy priests must be
obtained to drive him from the forest."

"Ho! ho! ho!" again laughed the voice.

A party of horsemen now appeared in view. They proved to be the royal
attendants, who had ridden forward in search of the king, and were
instantly hailed by Henry and Suffolk. They were headed by Captain
Bouchier, who at a sign from the king instantly dismounted.

"Give me your horse, Bouchier," said Henry, "and do you and half-a-dozen
of your men remain on guard at this tree till I send a troop of
arquebusiers to relieve you. When they arrive, station them near it, and
let them remain here till I return in the morning. If any one appears,
make him a prisoner."

"Your majesty's orders shall be faithfully obeyed," replied Bouchier.

Boun