the precaution was needless. Bawsey's fierceness changed suddenly
to the most abject submission, and with a terrified howl, she retreated
from the room with' her tail between her legs. Even the old woman
uttered a cry of surprise.

"Lord help us!" exclaimed Bryan; "was ever the like o' that seen? Your
lordship must have a strange mastery over dogs. That hound," he
added, in a whisper, "is said to be a familiar spirit."

"The virtue of the relic is approved," observed Surrey to Richmond, in
an undertone.

"It would seem so," replied the duke.

The old woman now thought proper to assume a more respectful
demeanour towards her visitors, and inquired whether her son should
attend upon them on his return from the forest, but they said it was
unnecessary.

"The king is about to have a grand hunting-party the day after to-
morrow," observed Surrey, "and we wished to give your son some
instructions respecting it. They can, however, be delivered to another
keeper."

And they departed with Bryan, and returned to the castle. At midnight
they again issued forth. Their steeds awaited them near the upper
gate, and, mounting, they galloped across the greensward in the
direction of Herne's Oak. Discerning no trace of the ghostly huntsman,
they shaped their course towards the forest.