through the oaks in a way I remembered. The wildfire roared up,
one last time in one sheet, and snuffed out like a rushlight, and a
bucketful of stinging hail fell. We heard the Boy walking in the
Long Slip - where I first met you.

'"Here, oh, come here!" said the Lady Esclairmonde, and
stretched out her arms in the dark.

'He was coming slowly, but he stumbled in the footpath,
being, of course, mortal man.

'"Why, what's this?" he said to himself. We three heard him.

'"Hold, lad, hold! 'Ware Cold Iron!" said Sir Huon, and they
two swept down like nightjars, crying as they rode.

'I ran at their stirrups, but it was too late. We felt that the Boy
had touched Cold Iron somewhere in the dark, for the Horses of
the Hill shied off, and whipped round, snorting.

'Then I judged it was time for me to show myself in my own
shape; so I did.

'"Whatever it is," I said, "he has taken hold of it. Now we
must find out whatever it is that he has taken hold of, for that will
be his fortune."

'"Come here, Robin," the Boy shouted, as soon as he heard
my voice. "I don't know what I've hold of."