Cuthbert never stirred outside the house till after dark.  He was still in hiding from his father, who knew not his whereabouts, and was still on the watch for the truant, believing him to be lurking about in the forest around his home.  Philip had once contrived to see Petronella and soothe her fears, telling her that her brother was safe, and would be sent forth to their kinsfolk in London so soon as he was fit for the long ride.  But many evening rambles had been taken by the youth, who panted for the freedom of the forest, to which he was so well used; and Kate delighted in any excuse for a moonlight stroll.

The place was soon found.  Kate had visited it so often that the tangled path which led thither was as familiar to her as if it had been a well-beaten road.  It lay right away in the very heart of the forest, and save for the majestic size of the oak beneath which the chests had been buried, had nothing to mark the spot.  Now there were traces of much digging.  The ground all around had been disturbed again and yet again by eager searchers, each hopeful to come upon some clue missed by all the rest.  But nothing, save the remains of a few iron-bound chests, served to show that anything had once been secreted there; and the moonlight shone steadily and peacefully down upon the scene of so many heart-burnings and grievous disappointments, as though such things did not and could not exist in such a still and lovely place.

“Ah, if she would but tell us all she has seen!” said Kate, looking up towards the silver Queen of Night.  But the moon kept her own secret, and presently the pair turned away.

“Shall we go back by the chantry?” asked Cuthbert, with some hesitation; “I should like to see it once again.”

“Let us,” answered Kate; “we are not like to meet thy father.  He has given up by now his watch around the house.  Moreover, I have eyes and ears like a wildcat.  None can approach unawares upon us.  I can feel a human presence ere I see it.”

Cuthbert did not lack courage, and was quite willing to chance the small risk there was of an encounter with his father.  He felt that he could slip away unseen were that stern man to be on the watch.  Each day that had passed beneath his uncle’s roof had helped him to realize more of the freedom of the subject; and very soon he would be beyond the reach of pursuit, and on his way to London.

As they approached the chantry Kate laid a hand upon his arm.

“Hist!” she said softly.  “Pause a moment; I hear voices!”

He stopped instantly; and making a sign of caution to him, Kate glided a few steps onward.  Then she paused again, and made a sign to him to come.

“It is all well—­there is no fear.  It is Philip and Petronella.”

“Petronella, my sister!  Nay, but this is a happy chance!” cried Cuthbert, springing eagerly forward; and the next moment Petronella, with a little cry of mingled joy and fear, had flung herself into her brother’s arms.