y, even as he had
threatened. It was then that I remembered for the first time the
weapon I carried at my side, and as I took it in my hands I felt a
strange coldness come upon me. I trembled no longer. I felt calm
and resolute and fearless. I crept cautiously out of the brushwood,
though I kept still in the shadow of the trees, and I drew nearer
and nearer, expecting every instant to be seen. I dared not fire
till I was very close. It was long since I had discharged such a
weapon, and I knew well that thy life and mine both hung upon that
one charge. Robin rose suddenly to his feet after binding thee, and
I thought for certain I was seen. But no; he turned and leaned over
the well, and drew forth from it yon huge round slab of stone,
which he flung there on the grass as thou seest it. When his back
was thus turned I crept nearer yet. I would have fired then, but
still feared to miss. Then he bent over thee and lifted thee in his
arms. He could not see me then, he was too much engrossed in his
task. I saw well what he meant to do--to fling thee bound and
helpless into the well, where the lost treasure, methinks from his
words, must lie.

"The rest thou knowest. Coming up close behind, I fired my pistol.
He dropped thee and fell himself, and I feared that he was dead.
Brother, it is something fearful to have killed a man, though it
was to save life. Wilt thou not go to him and see if he yet lives?
We ought to show charity even to our foes."

Cuthbert was willing enough to do this since he had heard his
sister's story, which had not taken many minutes in the telling. He
went across to the spot where Long Robin lay, and turned him gently
over.

Although the sight of death was by no means familiar to Cuthbert,
it took only one glance to show him that this man was dying or
dead. His face was ghastly and drawn, and his limbs were already
growing rigid and motionless. The heavy charge of the pistol had
done its work surely and fully: the bullet had passed through the
spine, and had entered the vital organs. There was little effusion
of blood, but death was delayed only a few minutes. Even as
Cuthbert looked at him, the man gave a deep groan. His eyelids
flickered a few moments, and then his jaw dropped, a quiver passed
through his frame, which then became absolutely still.

Cuthbert shook his head.

"He is dead!" cried Petronella, in a voice of compunction and
awe--"he is dead; and I have killed him!"

She put her ha