BOOK V--CROOKBACK

CHAPTER I--THE SHRILL TRUMPET

Very early the next morning, before the first peep of the day, Dick

arose, changed his garments, armed himself once more like a gentleman,

and set forth for Lawless's den in the forest. There, it will be

remembered, he had left Lord Foxham's papers; and to get these and be

back in time for the tryst with the young Duke of Gloucester could only

be managed by an early start and the most vigorous walking.

The frost was more rigorous than ever; the air windless and dry, and

stinging to the nostril. The moon had gone down, but the stars were

still bright and numerous, and the reflection from the snow was clear and

cheerful. There was no need for a lamp to walk by; nor, in that still

but ringing air, the least temptation to delay.

Dick had crossed the greater part of the open ground between Shoreby and

the forest, and had reached the bottom of the little hill, some hundred

yards below the Cross of St. Bride, when, through the stillness of the

black morn, there rang forth the note of a trumpet, so shrill, clear, and

piercing, that he thought he had never heard the match of it for

audibility. It was blown once, and then hurriedly a second time; and

then the clash of steel succeeded.

The Black Arrow