She knows it from strange words uttered by him in sleep; knows it from the finding in the forest not many years since of a number of human bones and seven skulls, all lying near together in one place.

Some woodmen found the ghastly remains; and from that day forward none has cared to pass that way.

It was whispered that it was the work of fairies or gnomes, and the dell is shunned by all who have ever heard the tale." "As the lines say!" cried Cuthbert, in great excitement.

"Thinkest thou that it is in that dell that the treasure lies hid ?" "Esther thinks so, but she knows not; and I have hunted and hunted in vain for traces of digging and signs of disturbance in the ground, but I have sought in vain.

Long Robin keeps his secret well.