"Here, take the document and apply the directions to the actual place," I remarked. "This is the west side; yonder are two tall fir trees. Now, measure off thirty-two paces." Felgate commenced to do so, Drake following at his heels. "... Twenty-eight, twenty-nine, thirty---- Ha!" For the thirtieth pace had brought him to the edge of the stream, and the thirty-second would be as near as anything right in the centre of the river bed. For a moment we stood aghast. Surely there must be some mistake! Then Drake, slapping me soundly on the back, exclaimed in excited tones: "Bethink thee, Aubrey, the old hag’s words: ’Till the waters run dry’!" "And what of that?" I replied, dull of comprehension. "Simply that the treasure lies in the bed of the stream. We must divert its course and the hiding place will be revealed." "Let me try," exclaimed the impetuous Felgate, and in spite of our protests he waded into the water, which seemingly rose no higher than his knees. At the third step he suddenly lurched forward, threw out his arms in a frantic effort to regain his balance, then disappeared beneath the surface. The next instant he reappeared; but though he kept his head above the water, his legs were held by the weeds, and a look of horror overspread his face when he realized the danger of his position. Had we not been there, his fate would have been sealed; but, cautiously wading in, Drake holding my left hand, I extended my right arm towards him. I grasped him with a great effort, and we dragged him out of the hole, his jack boot being wrenched from his foot by the unrelenting grip of the tendrils. "You are right, Drake," he panted. "There’s a deep hole there, and the treasure lies in it." "Come, then, at once," said Drake, "to the village, and enrol every man who can use mattock and spade. We’ll have a channel cut here" (indicating a semicircle of about forty yards in diameter), "and dam the stream on each side of this hole." There was no need to go as far as the village. Already the strange tidings had spread, and a motley throng of villagers were gathered around the entrance to the estate, curious, yet loath to come nearer. They raised a cheer at our approach, and when we told them of our wants there was a general stampede on the part of the men folk for digging implements. While we awaited their return, a man having the air of petty authority stepped up to us and, addressing me, said: "You are Sir Aubrey Wentworth, I am told." I assented, and at the same time asked the fellow his business. "In me you see the lawful representative of the sheriff of York. Before you delve, or take possession of, any portion of this land, I must have his authority. For aught I know, saving your presence, ye may be adventurers of low degree, outlaws, or the like." "And where is your authority?" I demanded, wroth at being interfered with on my own land. For answer he pulled a parchment from his pouch and held it up for my inspection.