The Lady and the Treasure 49

one works there now, nor has done for
many along year. Bramble and bracken,
willow-herb and yellow rag-wort fill the
place, and in autumn it echoes from dawn
to dusk with the voices of the children
who come in companies to gather black-
berries. There are also butterflies, birds,
and other things, about which a man may
converse, if it be necessary to talk; and
in fluent conversation lay the Visitor's one
hope of salvation.

“T think we might have a look at the
quarry,” he said. ‘It’s just the sort. of
place that I should choose if I had treasure
to hide.”

So they walked on rapidly. Doris was
so set on the quest that she did not want
to talk. Her companion had his own
troubles to consider and was glad of the
respite. They reached the quarry and
stood at the roadside looking into it curi-
ously. It was a new place altogether to
Doris, now she had realised that it might

possibly be the hold of hidden treasure.
D