I suspect there's treason lurks i' that hole."
"Ay, doubtless," said Gregory: "for the neibours say 'tis treason to
hide a mine royal."
"A mine royal! Ay, knave, I do suspect it to be so. By my troth, I 'll
ferret out the foulmarts either by force or guile. And yet force would
avail little. If they have the clue we might attempt to follow them in
vain through its labyrinths, they would inevitably escape, and I should
lose the reward. Hark thee. Stay here and I'll fetch the writing for the
message. Stir not for thy life. Shouldst thou betray me I'll have thy
crooked bones ground in a mill to thicken pigs' gruel."
Fearful was the dilemma; but Gregory durst not budge.
The night grew dark and stormy, the wind rose, loud gusts shaking down
the dying leaves, and howling through the wide extent of the forest. The
moan of the river came on like the agony of some tortured spirit. The
sound seemed to creep closer to his ear; and Gregory thought some evil
thing was haunting him for intruding into these unhallowed mysteries.
He was horribly alarmed at the idea of another visit to the cave, but he
durst not disobey.
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