"Then I took the thing in my hand, and unfolded it."
After a few moments I located the place where the thing had been put, and eagerly I hurried thither.
Yes, there was the black box as I had seen it before. It seemed as though it had never been moved since the hour when Father Solomon had put it back. Feverishly I took it, and then looked fearfully around me, because even then I fancied that watchful eyes might be upon me. But there was nothing.
Holding the box in one hand, and the candle in the other, I remember thinking that my best plan was to get out into the open air, where I could again examine its contents. But I was too impatient for this. Propping my candle between two stones I got down on my knees, and prepared to open it, but I stopped with a start and a shudder.
I could have sworn that I heard a cackling mocking laugh close to my ears, and again I looked fearfully around. But there was nought to be seen, and so still had all things become that the silence seemed to make a noise.
"It is nought but my fancy," I said aloud, and I shivered at the sound of my own voice. Also many wild fancies flitted across my mind. I thought I saw Lucy Walters change from a beauteous nut-brown maid, with skin fair and smooth, and altogether lovely to behold, into a hideous corrupt-looking hag. She shook a leprous finger at me, and leered mockingly into my face. Again also I thought I heard the mocking cackle of old Father Solomon, which seemed to arouse all sorts of unearthly wails.
"It's nought but my fancy," I again repeated aloud, and this time the sound of my voice gave me courage. I no longer feared unearthly visitants. The thing was in my hands, and I would examine it.
The lid of the box opened without difficulty, and I saw a piece of paper lying within it. As I saw it I laughed aloud, so pleased was I.
Then I took the thing in my hand, and unfolded it.
This is what I read:—
He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it.
If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put forth more strength.
The lips of a fool will swallow up himself. The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the end of his talk mischievous madness.
Vanity of vanity, saith the preacher, all is vanity.
The Words of Solomon the Wise.
This was all. The marriage contract was gone, and nothing was left in its place save the paper on which the words were written that I have here set down.
Eagerly I peered into the hole where the box had been placed; but it was empty. Nothing was there save the void space which mocked me.
I stamped my foot in my rage. This, then, was the end of my work. Old Solomon had outwitted me, even as he had said, and I fancied I saw the grin on his face as he had planned my discomfiture.
After a time I grew more calm. There must be a meaning in all this. If the old man had planned all this he must have had reasons for so doing. Had he come hither to find me, and being unable to do so had he been stricken with fear? After all the thing I had seen was different from this. I had seen the signature of Lucy Walters, and of Charles Stuart. Nothing could destroy that fact. If the old man had taken the parchment away, and destroyed the house, he had done so with a purpose. He must have had a motive in so doing. Was that motive fear or interest? Besides, the old man must have another hiding-place. True I had been a fool, a double-dyed fool, for not keeping the thing when I had once held it in my hand; but it might not be too late to redeem the past. I would find out the meaning of what I had seen; I would probe the thing to the bottom.
All my superstitious fears were gone. I no longer heard whispering voices, or wailing cries; I no longer saw grinning faces or evil forms. The darkness had no dread for me; my anger had driven away all my terrors.
Taking the box with me I hurried back to the stairway by which I had entered, and a few minutes later I stood in the sunlight again. The evening had now begun to draw to its close, but the sun was still visible behind the tree tops, and after the darkness in which I had been immured its light was very pleasant.
"I will not rest until the box hath the true parchment again," I said grimly, as I placed within it the paper on which old Father Solomon had written his mocking words. "There must be some trace of him somewhere; how can I find it?"
I gave a long shrill whistle, and a few seconds later I heard Black Ben whinnying. This was followed by the trample of hoofs, and directly after he came up to me, and rubbed his nose against my hand.
"Ben," I said to him, "we are beaten this time; but you and I will yet succeed," and I patted him gently.
Again he whinnied as though he understood, while I bethought me of what I must do next.
I had some trouble in putting away the black box in my saddle-bag, but I at length succeeded in doing so, after which I rode through the dark woods towards the highway. By the time I had gone a little way I felt both faint and hungry. The excitement through which I had passed had left me with a great languor, so presently seeing a peasant I inquired the way to the nearest inn, which I found was of the better order of places of refreshment, and where I had no difficulty in obtaining food for both man and beast.
After seeing to it that Black Ben was well groomed and foddered, and having partaken of a good meal myself, I felt my own man again, and ere long found my way into the room where three or four men, whom I judged to be farmers, were drinking. They had been talking eagerly when I entered, but on seeing me they rose, touched their forelocks, and then sat down again.
I greatly desired them to speak freely, so having ordered more refreshments for them I tried to draw them into conversation. To my satisfaction I soon discovered that my bounty unloosed their tongues, and I found that they vied with each other to answer whatever questions I asked. Nevertheless I was wary even in this, for I was desirous at all hazards to avoid arousing suspicion. I therefore spoke first of the possible harvest, and of the good times we hoped to have now that the king had come to his own.
After this I spoke of the coming of the king, and of the gay doings at Dover, and presently, little by little, I led mp the conversation to Pycroft Hall. Directly the name passed my lips, however, they became silent, as though a great fear possessed them.
"Is aught ill with the place?" I asked.
"There is no Pycroft Hall now," said one presently, and his voice almost sank to a whisper as he spoke.
"No Pycroft Hall? Why I saw it not long since myself, and a gloomy old place I thought it was," I said.
"The devil hath blown it to atoms," said the man fearfully.
"You are but laughing at me," I cried.
"Nay, worshipful master, but we be not. It hath only happened of late that this hath come to pass."
"Since what hath come to pass?"
"We were speaking of it at the moment when you entered the room, young master, and not knowing how you might relish such talk, we e'en held our tongues."
"What talk?"
"Why, about the devil blowing up Pycroft Hall."
"If you know aught I should be glad to hear it. I love much such stories as you speak of."
"You are not one that fears the devil, young master?"
"I trust in an easy conscience and a good sharp sword," I made answer. "Nevertheless I love the gossip of the times, whether it concerns the devil or of those who have no dealings with him."
"Well, master, this is what hath taken place. It is said that three days ago some of the king's men came hither to visit it. But before they reached it, although they drew near to it, they heard a great noise, as though the world were coming to an end. Of this there can be no manner of doubt, for I myself heard it, although I was a mile away."
"When was this?" I asked.
"Last Friday that ever was," replied the man. "Friday is the devil's day, and he played his game last Friday. For years it's been haunted as all the country knows. Your honour may have heard of it."
Hereupon he told me a long story which I will not set down here, because I have already mentioned much of the things he said in what I have previously written.
"Well," I said, when he had finished the story, "the king's men went to see it, you say."
"People say it was the king's men, but we be not sure. But be that as it may, when they were on the way to the house, a place I would not go to myself, no not for ten pound in gold, they heard a noise like a clap of thunder, and they said they felt the ground shaking under their feet."
"Well, what then?" I said eagerly, for the man stopped.
"When they came up to it they could see nothing for smoke," said the man; "a smoke that smelt of brimstone, and then they were so frightened that they came back. Next day the parson went near to see it, and he said he believed that the spell of the devil was broken, although the house was wellnigh blown to pieces."
"When did the parson go up?"
"On Saturday, but 'twas Friday evening when the king's men went up."
"You say you heard the noise yourself?"
"Ay I did, and I saw more than any of them."
"What did you see?"
"I saw the devil."
"Tell me about it?"
"I'm afraid," said the man. "I've never said so much to anybody before, even to my wife; but this drop o' drink that you've given me hath seemed to fire my courage."
"Tell me and you shall have some more. Nay, your jug is empty. I will order some more."
The landlord brought a stoup of strong waters and placed it on the table, and having left us, we all drew our chairs close to the farmer, so that we could the better hear what he had to say.