She must have been glorious in her youthful days, for there was majesty even now in her look and mien, despite the soiled and tattered clothing. “Never!” he growled between his teeth. Swifter than a flash she darted toward him, seized him around one knee, and he fell to the ground, crashing and struggling among the thick branches of the arbor vitæ. Another instant, and she had vanished from his sight like a ghost. Curses loud and deep burst in a torrent from Squire Moulton’s foaming lips, as, painfully arising, he made his way from the place. Scarcely had he stepped outside the circle, when a sight met his eyes which caused him to totter back, half fainting and gasping for breath. CHAPTER VIII. “LOOK TO IT.” Half crouching, half lying among the tall grass just outside the circle of arbor vitæ, was a large, swarthy-looking man, his eyes and mouth agape with astonishment at the wondrous story he had just heard rehearsed. A close observer might have noticed his paleness and agitation. Evidently something in the tale had moved him deeply, for great beads of perspiration stood on his forehead, from which his cap was pushed back, and the hand he raised to wipe his brow shook like a reed. He might have been a fine-looking man, for his face was highly intelligent in expression, and his form was tall, straight, and well developed. But clad in his soiled and much-worn garments, with face deeply bronzed, locks uncombed, and beard unshaven, he was but a sorry-looking object. There was a roughness about him, too, and a fierceness in the gaze of his eye as he looked upon the terror-stricken squire, which were enough in themselves, coming as he did unexpectedly upon him, to drive the color from his face and lips. The stranger was the first to recover his self-possession, and assuming a sneering, half defiant air, while at the same time he seemed to enjoy Squire Moulton’s fright, said: “Well, squire, I must say she’s a pretty spunky sort of a woman, that sister of yourn!” “Who are you—how long have you been here—did you hear——” incoherently gasped the startled villain. “I heard every word!” interrupted his visitor, with an air of triumph. “That answers two of your questions, I believe; but the other I do not know as I feel inclined to reply to just at present.” “How came you here?” demanded Squire Moulton, beginning to recover himself somewhat, and angry at the insolent manner of the other. “Well, if you must know just how I came, I rode part of the way, and walked t’other part.” There was a sly twinkle in his eye, and a sarcastic smile lurking in the corners of his mouth. “What was your object in prowling around my grounds, and listening to conversation which did not concern you!”