And as he spoke the man in the mask held forth a ring, which Jocelyn took.

“I intended to make certain conditions with you,” the mysterious personage pursued, “for the service I should render you, but you have thwarted my plans by your obstinacy, and I must reserve them to our next meeting.  For we shall meet again, and that ere long; and then when you tender your thanks for what I have now done, I will tell you how to requite the obligation.”

“I swear to requite it if I can—­and as you desire,” Jocelyn cried, struck by the other’s manner.

“Enough!” the masked personage rejoined.  “I am satisfied.  Proceed on your way, and may good fortune attend you!  Your destiny is in your own hands.  Obey Count Gondomar’s behests, and he will aid you effectually.”

And without a word more, the man in the mask struck spurs into his horse’s sides, and dashed down the hill, at a headlong pace, in the direction of London.

Jocelyn looked after him, and had not recovered from his surprise at the singular interview that had taken place when he disappeared.

By this time, Dick Taverner having regained his feet, limped towards him, leading his horse.

“It must be the Fiend in person,” quoth the apprentice, contriving to regain the saddle.  “I trust you have made no compact with him, Sir.”

“Not a sinful one I hope,” Jocelyn replied, glancing at the ring.

And they proceeded on their way towards Tottenham, and were presently saluted by the merry ringing of bells, proclaiming some village festival.

FOOTNOTES: 

[1] Lest we should be charged with an anachronism, we may mention that the Bell at Edmonton, immortalized in the story of John Gilpin, was in good repute in the days we treat of, as will appear from the following extract from John Savile’s Tractate entitled, King James, his Entertainment at Theobald’s, with his Welcome to London.  Having described the vast concourse of people that flocked forth to greet their new Sovereign on his approach to the metropolis, honest John says—­“After our breakfast at Edmonton at the sign of the Bell, we took occasion to note how many would come down in the next hour, so coming up into a chamber next to the street, where we might both best see, and likewise take notice of all passengers, we called for an hour-glass, and after we had disposed of ourselves who should take the number of the horse, and who the foot, we turned the hour-glass, which before it was half run out, we could not possibly truly number them, they came so exceedingly fast; but there we broke off, and made our account of 309 horses, and 137 footmen, which course continued that day from four o’clock in the morning till three o’clock in the afternoon, and the day before also, as the host of the house told us, without intermission.”  Besides establishing the existence of the renowned Bell at this period, the foregoing passage is curious in other respects.