Запретный лес

           WithIsobelheexchangednowordsavecommonplaces,andtheoldwoman,whohadtheairofascoldedchild,showednodesiretotalk.Hismealsweresetbeforehiminsilence,andsilentlythetablewascleared.AmosRitchiecametothemanseonsomesmallrepairingjob,andhetooseemedtobeanxioustogethisworkdoneandleave.Davidsawhimarriveashesetoutforawalk,andwhenhereturnedtheshouldersofthesmithweredisappearingpastthestableend.

           Wednesdayeveningcame,aneveningofmellowlightandaquietsunset,andafterhisearlysupperDavidretiredtohisstudytopreparehimselfforhistask.HehadalreadywrittenoutanaccountofwhathehadseenintheWoodandofwhatheproposedtodo,andthishesignedanddirectedundercovertoMr.FordyceatCauldshaw.Whatevermischancebefellhim,hehadleftarecord.Hehadalsowrittenalettertohisfather,settingforthwhat,intheeventofhisdeath,wastobethedestinationofhisworldlygoods.Thenonhiskneesheremainedforawhileinprayer.

           Theclockstrucknine,andhearosetobeginhisjourney,strappingtheswordtohismiddle,andtakingalsoagreatstickwhichtheshepherdoftheGreenshielhadmadeforhim.Themoonwouldriselate,andtherewasampletime.

           Buthefoundthatthedoorofhisstudywouldnotopen.Ithadnolock,andhadhungonalighthasp,butnowitseemedtohaveboltsandbars.Itwasamassivethingofoak,andwhenheshookititdidnotyield.

           HeshoutedforIsobel,buttherewasnoreply.Thenheassaulteditfuriouslywithkneesandfeetandshoulder,butitdidnotgive