It had been a pleasant mansion and a strong . A dry ditch was dug deep about it ; but it was now choked with masonry , and bridged by a fallen rafter . The two farther walls still stood , the sun shining through their empty windows ; but the remainder of the building had collapsed , and now lay in a great cairn of ruin , grimed with fire . Already in the interior a few plants were springing green among the chinks . `` Now I bethink me , '' whispered Dick , `` this must be Grimstone . It was a hold of one Simon Malmesbury ; Sir Daniel was his bane ! 'T was Bennet Hatch that burned it , now five years agone . In sooth , 't was pity , for it was a fair house . '' Down in the hollow , where no wind blew , it was both warm and still ; and Matcham , laying one hand upon Dick 's arm , held up a warning finger . `` Hist ! '' he said . Then came a strange sound , breaking on the quiet . It was twice repeated ere they recognised its nature . It was the sound of a big man clearing his throat ; and just then a hoarse , untuneful voice broke into singing . `` Then up and spake the master , the king of the outlaws : ` What make ye here , my merry men , among the greenwood shaws ? ' And Gamelyn made answer -- he looked never adown : ` O , they must need to walk in wood that may not walk in town ! ' '' The singer paused , a faint clink of iron followed , and then silence . The two lads stood looking at each other . Whoever he might be , their invisible neighbour was just beyond the ruin . And suddenly the colour came into Matcham 's face , and next moment he had crossed the fallen rafter , and was climbing cautiously on the huge pile of lumber that filled the interior of the roofless house .
XXXXX would have withheld him , had he been in time ; as it was , he was fain to follow .
Dick Grimstone Hatch Hist Malmesbury Matcham cairn neighbour shaws years