When I awoke I found myself lying where I had fallen, and although I was terribly weak I had still strength enough to look around and take notice of my surroundings. I saw that the mouth of the level out of which I had come was closed by a great heap of fallen débris, save for the hole through which I had passed. It was much overgrown too, and a man might pass it a hundred times without seeing it. There was another thing which struck me also. Not a footmark of any sort was to be seen, not a suggestion that any one had visited the place. Huge heaps of stones and rocks were around, but they had become overgrown by bushes and trees. The place seemed far away from human habitation. "Father Solomon knows nothing of this entrance," I reflected, "and he believes that he left me there to die. Well, all the better; the time may come when I can make use of my knowledge." After making careful examination, I rose, and found my way slowly from the place. I took what I believed was the seaward direction, and after walking wellnigh a mile through a wood, I saw a cottage among some fields. It was with much difficulty that I reached it, but I succeeded at length, and presently saw a peasant woman lighting a fire outside the cottage door. "What's o'clock, good dame?" I asked. "Six o' th' mornin'," she made answer. "Then perchance you can give me some breakfast," I said. "I've nothing but milk and bread," she answered, looking at me suspiciously. "For which I will pay you well," I replied, taking a coin from my pocket. The sight of the money altered her behaviour with wondrous quickness. "It's all ready," she replied. "Th' milk is boilin' and the bread be in the dishes. My man will not be here for a minute or two, but there's no need for you to wait, young master." Hunger made me ravenous, and I gave no thought to others. I doubt not the bread was black and heavy, but the milk was sweet, and I partook of it greedily. When I had finished it seemed to me as though my strength had come back to me as if by a miracle. "Will ye 'a' more, young master?" "Presently, presently;" and I gave her the coin I had promised. "Ah, here be my man comin';" and I noticed a farmer's man come up, who looked at me wonderingly. It was at this time that I realized the condition of my clothes. They were covered with dirt; and catching reflection of my face in a bucket of water, I saw that it was much bruised and smeared with blood. "I will have a wash, good dame," I said, "after which I would like to talk with you." "Ay, and 'ere's water, master," she said; and I washed myself while she looked on in silence. CHAPTER XII THE COMING OF THE KING "Servant, sir." The man saluted me as he spoke, and moved a step nearer. "Thank you for a good breakfast," I said. "I have been out all night, and lost my way among the woods." "Easy enough to do," he replied, nodding towards the great forest from which I had come. "To whom do they belong?"