Isoult, thoroughly awake at last, sat up, and succeeded after a minute
in bringing John to consciousness. The knocking went on. John sprang
up, and threw open the window.
"Who are you, and what do you lack?" he called to the unseen visitant
below.
"Let me in, and in haste, for God's sake!" cried a voice in answer,
which both the listeners immediately recognised as Robin Tremayne's.
"There is somewhat gone wrong," said John, and hurrying down, he
unbarred the door, and let in Robin. Isoult followed as quickly as she
could.
"Why, Robin, lad, what is the matter?" she cried in dismay. "What can
ail thee? Is somewhat amiss at Tremayne?"
For Robin's face was white with terror, and he trembled from head to
foot, and his clothes were soiled and torn.
"All that can ail me in this world," murmured the poor lad, dropping
upon the settle. "There is no Tremayne. The enclosure men came thither
yestereven, and burned every brick of it to the ground."
"The rascals!" exclaimed Avery. "And what came of thy father, and
mother, and sister, poor Robin?"