"Methinks it will be more thou than I, sweet sister," answered
Cuthbert, gladly and proudly, as he leaned over the low stone wall
and gazed eagerly into the deep, dark water. "And right glad am I
that we should be together when we find the treasure trove. Canst
see aught in yon deep hole, Petronella?"

She shook her head.

"Nor I neither. We must wait for daylight for that, and then
perchance it will not reveal itself to our eyes. Yet it is there. I
am certain sure of it; and although it may be something difficult
to rescue even now, I doubt not that with patience and time we may
succeed. Petronella, I will tomorrow to the village nighest at
hand, whilst thou dost rest up in yon tree out of the way of all
harm, where I have prepared a place of comfort. I will purchase
there a suit of boy's clothes for thee to wear whilst thou dost
share my forest life; it will be safer for thee, and more
commodious likewise. I will also buy us victuals and a coil of
rope. Then we twain can set to work over our task, and it will be
strange indeed if we be balked in it, seeing that the hardest part
is already accomplished. The secret is ours!"

Petronella's eyes sparkled beneath their heavy fringes. There was a
spice of adventure and romance about this that could not but be
delightful to any young spirit.

"Thou wilt not then tell our kinsfolk at the Chase, and ask their
aid in this?"