Perhaps had he not seen but an hour before how upright, powerful, and stalwart that bending figure could be, he would have done it then and there.

But with that memory clear in his mind, together with his knowledge of the perfectly unscrupulous character of the gipsy, he felt that such a step would be the sheerest madness; and after gazing his fill at the motionless figure, he softly crept away once more.
He lay hidden in the bushes till he heard Long Robin leave the dell and go crashing through the underwood with heavy steps, cursing as he went the two women who stood between him and his desire.

It was plain from his muttered words that he was going back to the camp now.

Plainly he had paid his visit to the hoard and found all safe and undisturbed.

Cuthbert was more and more convinced that the treasure lay here, as Esther had always believed; and it would be strange indeed, being so near, if he could not find it in time.
But he would not search tonight; he had the whole summer before him.