hard by Mr Lever's house yonder, in the
fields. 'Tis a grievous loss, Master Dee, seeing that I was offered a
score of pounds for the beast last Martinmas."

The Doctor opened his tables, and erected a scheme or figure of the
heavens, to the very minute when this communication was made. Ere it was
finished he gave a sharp and shrewd glance at the stranger, saying--

"The latter part of the sign Scorpio ascendeth, and it is not safe to
give judgment. Mars, lord thereof, is in evil aspect with Venus, lady of
the seventh and sixth likewise, or house of servants. Yet is Mercury
lord of the tenth, and free from affliction. I will therefore try my
skill, though I should fail. The beast thou lackest is either taken by a
servant or lost through his neglect. Stay. The Dragon's Tail, which I
have just placed, being located in the seventh, thy mare is certainly
lost, and will never be recovered."

Dee looked earnestly at the man, who, gathering his features into a grin
of contempt, could scarcely refrain from an unmannerly burst of
laughter.

"Now, o' my troth," said he, "I was but minded to try the skill of your
prophet, and to show your folly. The roan mare is safe, and I left her
but an hour ago with my lad, who is walking her to and fro just out of
the town-fields by Withy Grove, until I have done mine errand."

"Thou art a bold man to say so," replied the Doctor angrily, and with a
glance as though it were meant to annihilate this contemner of the
celestial art. "I tell thee she is lost, and shall never be got back: a
reward thou hast well earned for thy folly."

With a scornful and malicious grin did Master Barnabas receive this
denunciation, taking his departure with little ceremony, as if fearful
of some mischance. Eccleston, much scandalised at his friend's
proceedings, followed him down-stairs, not caring to stay longer with
the Doctor.

As Bartholomew and he sate discoursing on the future, and forming many
projects, more particularly about the hidden treasures, without which,
Dee said, he could not continue his search for the elixir, as he was
nigh beggared, they heard a swift footstep on the stairs. Presently in
rushed Eccleston followed by Lettice, who strove to prevent this
intrusion. The Doctor frowned on his entrance, but, Eccleston,
breathless and much agitated, could with difficulty declare his errand.

"Hardcastle--Hardcastle--I say. He has lost his beast."

"Why, I told him so," said the Doctor, with