up-stairs.

Hush!" she said, "and come! Shalt talk hereafter."

Somewhat bewildered, Dick suffered himself to be pulled up-stairs,

bustled along a corridor, and thrust suddenly into a chamber, lit, like

so many of the others, by a blazing log upon the hearth.

Now," said the young lady, forcing him down upon a stool, "sit ye there

and attend my sovereign good pleasure. I have life and death over you,

and I will not scruple to abuse my power. Look to yourself; y' 'ave

cruelly mauled my arm. He knew not I was a maid, quoth he! Had he

known

I was a maid, he had ta'en his belt to me, forsooth!"

And with these words, she whipped out of the room and left Dick gaping

with wonder, and not very sure if he were dreaming or awake.

Ta'en my belt to her!" he repeated. "Ta'en my belt to her!" And the

recollection of that evening in the forest flowed back upon his mind, and

he once more saw Matcham's wincing body and beseeching eyes.

And then he was recalled to the dangers of the present. In the next room

he heard a stir, as of a person moving; then followed a sigh, which

sounded strangely near; and then the rustle of skirts and tap of feet

once more began. As he stood hearkening, he saw the arras wave along the

wall; there was the sound of a door being opened, the hangings divided,

The Black Arrow