The torch was brandished high above his head, and with fear and
trepidation he prepared to obey.

"But, master sooty-paws, my mistress will be a-wanting of some token;
some reply. Hast thou no memory of her sweet favours?"

"Begone, slave-dog, begone! Say we be snug as the fox that will keep in
the hole when dogs go hunt. We not go up again till lady sends leave. Go
to!"

Gregory mounted with great difficulty. When he approached the mouth,
looking upward for some mode of exit, he saw the trap-door slowly open,
and he leapt forth into the free air; the cool atmosphere and the quiet
moonlight again upon his path. He soon cleared the bushes, and once more
was on his way to the house. Elizabeth met him at the gate.

"What ho, sirrah!" said she, "hast thou been loitering with my message?
I left my chamber to look out for thee. What answer? Quick."

"Why, forsooth, 'tis not easy to say, methinks, for such jabber is hard
to interpret. By my lady's leave, I think"--

Here he paused; but Elizabeth was impatient for the expected reply.
"Softly, softly, mistress. I but thought your worship were ill bestowed
on yonder ugly image."

"Tut, I'm not i' the humour for thine. What message, simpleton?"

"None, good mistress; but that they be snug until further orders."

"'Tis well; to rest; but hark thee, knave, be honest and discreet; thou
shall win both gold and great honours thereby."

"What! shall I ha' my share o' the treasure?" inquired Gregory, his eyes
glistening in the broad moonlight.

"What treasure, thou greedy gled?"

"Why they say 'tis a mine royal, and"--

"How! knowest thou our secret?"

"Ay, a body may quess. I've not found the road to the silver mine for
nought. If I get my grip on't, the king may whistle for his share
belike."

"The king! what knowest thou of the king?" said the maiden sharply.

"Eh! lady, I know not on him forsooth. Marry it would be hard to say who
that be now-a-days; for the clerk towed me"--

"Peace! whom sawest thou?"

"Why the ugliest brute, saving your presence, lady, that my two een ever
lippened on."

"None else?"

"No, no; I warrant ye, the miners wouldna care to let me get a glint o'
the gowd. I only had a look at the hobgoblin, who they have set, I
guess, to watch the treasure."

"Oh! I see,--ay, truly," said the maiden thoughtfully; "the mine is
guarded, therefore be wary, and reveal not the secret, lest he crush
thee. Remember," said she at parting, "remember the