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shielded from sight by a mound of hay, and squatting low, got in his arms as much of the hay as he could grasp.

Bawling curses and thrusting this way and that with his knife, the host came steadily nearer. He passed the mound. He saw the two. Knife in hand he plunged at them over the hay, with a yell of triumph. But his footing was none of the best, and as he came, Phil rose with a great armful of hay to receive the knife-thrust and sprang at him.

Thus thrown off his balance, the man fell and the lad, catching his wrist and dexterously twisting it into the darkest corner of the great mow.

“Help! Treason! Murder! Thieves!”

With his hand on the host’s throat, Phil shoved him deeper in the hay and held him at his mercy, but Martin was already scrambling over the mow, and with a last thrust Phil left the blinded and choking host to dig himself out at his leisure and followed, dirk in hand. As the two leaped down on the stable floor, the flashing dirk bought them passage to the rear, whither they fled apace, and out the door and away.

They passed Nell Entick at the gate, her hands clasped in terror, who cried to Martin “He ’ll have nought of you. Hard words were all he sent.”

To Phil she said nothing but her glance held him, and he whispered, “I will come back and marry you.”

She smiled.

“You will wait for me?” he whispered, and kissed her.

She nodded and he kissed her again ere he fled after Martin.