"Mother, is it not he of Passey?"
"Who the fates decree
Shall be Duke one day.
"Let me go. Would you have him die when there is so much money in the air?"
The robbers were evidently half afraid of this old beldame, who probably found her pretended witchcraft and doggerel rhymes profitable.
"The mother speaks truly," said Herrick. "It is he of Passey. Duke even now, and there is much money for those who help him."
"You said you never saw him before to-day."
"I spoke truly also."
The man turned away, and, beckoning the other men round him, talked eagerly for a few moments, and with many gesticulations. When the old woman returned, some of the men went quickly into the wood, and the chief turned to her.
"Quickly, mother, and so that he may travel."
"Whither?"