onceal him, and the foliage of the elm was somewhat scanty
still, for all that the season was forward. But by good hap there
chanced to be, amongst the tall trees that fringed the round of
sward, a noble sycamore in full leaf and very thick; and by
skillful contrivance, and with the help of his tools, Cuthbert
quickly built himself up there a small but secure and commodious
platform, upon which he could perch himself at ease and watch the
whole of the dell. Even if he fell asleep, he was in no danger of
falling; and if he could obtain the needful supplies of food, he
could keep watch there unseen for an indefinite time. He had plenty
of provision so far, for he had been supplied with dry and salted
provisions enough to last a week. These he took up to his nest, and
also his tools, which he resolved to keep beside him for safety;
and having spent the best part of the day in this labour of
ingenuity and patience, and having then quenched his thirst by long
draughts of clear cold water, he ascended to his perch with an
armful of dried bracken--the eighth such load he had carried
up--and as he arranged his riding cloak upon the soft and fragrant
cushion thus prepared, he said to himself with a smile that he
could afford to be patient now, for he had a commodious castle all
his own, and could await with patience the advance of the foe.

His patience was not, however, destined to be very sorely taxed. He
had fallen into a light sleep, and was dreaming of a hand-to-hand
struggle with Long Robin, when some unwonted sound smote upon his
ears, and he started up all alert on the instant.

He knew that sound; he had heard it before. It was the wild,
unearthly noise made by Robin to increase the fear of this dell in
the hearts of any chance wayfarers who might haply be within
hearing. In a few more seconds Cuthbert, peering down from his
leafy canopy, saw the tall form thrusting itself through the
underwood; and Robin, with a loud laugh, threw himself upon the low
wall of the pixies' well.

He was talking and muttering to himself, but Cuthbert could not
catch the words. He seemed in a merry mood, for he laughed aloud
once or twice, and drank of the well and laughed again. Once
Cuthbert thought he caught the words "treasure" and "safe," but of
that he could not be certain; and it was not easy to see how Robin
could know this, seeing he had not stirred three paces from the
well.

And then a sudden flash came into Cuthbert's soul