"Grace guide me!" exclaimed Gray, "what mystery is this? Is not that district a perilous one after nightfall?"
"There are certainly some clerks of St. Nicholas in the woods at times," said Carl, with pretended hesitation.
"What manner of clerks are they?"
"Disbanded Brabanters, who are their own paymasters."
"Robbers, in fact," said Gray, sharply.
"Ay, robbers, and all kinds of wild fellows."
"Come! this is pleasant for one who will be alone."
"Messire shall not be alone," said Carl, "for I shall be there as a guide."
"Thanks and largesse to you, most worthy varlet," said Gray, gratefully, though feeling more and more bewildered. He then put some money into the hands of Carl, who, glad that his mission was over, hurriedly withdrew, and within an hour duly reported his progress to the count of Endhoven, who still remained at the auberge, though Albany and Achanna had returned to the house of the Dyck Graf, to wait the event of the night.
Gray sat in a turmoil of thought after Carl had retired. The idea of a snare never occurred to him. The presence of Murielle's ring lulled every suspicion, if he had one; and he kissed it again and again, for it had been on her finger since that night when first she admitted that he might love her, when the summer moon was wading the fleecy clouds above the Galloway hills that slept in her silver sunshine, which cast the towers of Thrave in sombre shadow on the black waters of the Dee.