and his design. And then he leaned against a tree and waited,
listening with an intentness that showed a deep suspicion; and he
must have heard sounds that I could not--for my heart beat so
wildly I feared he would hear it where he stood--and he smote his
hands softly together and laughed a low laugh like that of a
demon."

"I have heard that laugh; I know it well," whispered Cuthbert. "It
is indeed what thou callest it. Doubtless he heard my cautious
descent from the tree. What did he then?"

"I heard his next words plainly, and they sent a thrill of cold
horror through me, for too well I divined their import.

"'He is there!' he hissed between his teeth--'he is there! I shall
catch him red handed in the act. Good! He shall not leave the dell
alive; he shall join the seven who strove before to know too much.
Long Robin's hand has not lost its cunning, and it will strike the
more heartily when aimed against one of the false, hateful brood.'

"And then, Cuthbert, I saw it all in a moment. I knew that thou
wert in the glen, and that he was going forward to kill thee. And
for a moment my head swam, and I well-nigh swooned with terror, and
could not even lift my voice to shout to thee and warn thee to fly
for thy life."

"It was well thou didst not," answered Cuthbert; "for I should
scarce have heard or understood, and he would but have turned his
destroying hand against thee ere he went forward to slay me. Thou
didst do better than cry aloud, my sister."