“Then my young master bethought him for a space whilst the others played on regardless. At last he burst out with a shout:
“‘I know the whereabouts of gold that is of right the Morton’s. Gilbert, the old churl who was our forester, hath died this day. At his cot he had, I doubt not, store of gold pieces which my father and I have given him from time to time. Now I have need of them, and will proceed to take what is mine own. Who follows me?’
“There were shouts and laughter at this and clapping of hands. Sir Boris started up and, sword in hand, ran out the door. Then before I could say or do aught to stay them, the whole rioting crew had seized cloaks and weapons and were streaming forth into the forest on the way to Gilbert’s cottage. I left the lodge and ran with all my might along the path to the castle to arouse Lord Morton. But ’twas half a mile and more, and when I reached there my master was deep in sleep. He roused him up at once, and soon, with half a dozen stout men-at-arms at his back, was running through the wood to put a stop to those mad doings.
“But alackaday! he was too late to do aught but view the scene of ruin and dishonor to his house and to gather up the bodies of the slain and those who lay in wounds and blood. The rest of the tale I had from old Marvin himself as I tended him but yesterday; and piteous it was, not for him only, who will recover of his hurts, but for all of us who love the name and fame of Morton.
“’Twas near midnight when he and the stranger youth who were lying on the floor, covered with their cloaks were roused by blows of sword hilts that rang upon the door and by shouts and drunken yells. The body of old Gilbert lay upon the bed; and doubtless this din and cursing at such a time struck horribly on Marvin’s ears.
“‘Who art thou, and what wilt thou have?’ he shouted.
“‘Sir Boris of Morton,’ came the answer, ‘get up, thou churl and open the door.’
“‘Not for thee nor any man in such guise as this. Know’st thou not that Gilbert, the forester, lieth dead here? Go thy ways, I pray thee, and leave this house in peace.’
“But at this there were more yells and calls and louder smiting on the door. Then spake the stranger youth:
“‘Go thy ways, whoe’er ye be. We be two armed men, and will suffer none to enter here this night.’”