Our vow of vengeance will be accomplished.

We shall smite the foe by taking away from him the desire of his heart, and yet lay no hand upon any who is loved by a Wyvern.' "And this desire after vengeance took hold of all those gathered in the ruined mill that night, whilst into Long Robin's eyes there crept a gleam which Esther liked not to see; for it spoke of a lust after gold for its own sake which she had striven to quench amongst her children, and she wished not to see them enriched beyond what was needful for their daily wants, knowing that the possession of gold and treasure would bring about the slackening of those bonds which had hitherto bound them together." Joanna paused, and looked long into Cuthbert's attentive face.

He asked no question, and presently she continued: "Esther laid this charge upon those who were to go forth after the treasure: They might move it from its present resting place, and hide it somewhere in the forest, as securely as they would; but no man should lay hands upon the spoil.

It should be hidden away intact as it was found.

It should belong to none, but be guarded by all; so that if the day should come when the Trevlyns should have won the love and trust of their whilom foes, we should have the power to make restitution to them in full." Cuthbert started, and his eyes gleamed beneath their dark brows; but Joanna lifted her hand and continued: "Remember I am telling the tale as I learned it from Esther.