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.