I was very surprised. The idea was new to me, but I thought
that it could be true.
'John Ridd, your eyes tell me everything I need to know. I see
that you had not thought of it. Now, have you ever seen a man
called Tom Faggus?'
'Yes, sir,' I said, 'I've often seen him. He's my cousin.'
'Tom Faggus is a good man. I know he's a thief — yes — but
he's a good man and loyal to King Charles. But I'm afraid that
another judge - not me - will hang him. Tell him to change his
name and his profession. Now, one other thing. In your part of
the country, are people talking about a rebellion against our
king?'
'No, sir,' I answered. 'We're all quiet, good men and we're loyal
to our king.'
'That's good,' said the judge. 'I like you, John Ridd. Keep away
from the Doones, and from Lord Wichehalse. Say nothing about
what's happened here. I'll send a man to your part of the country
to tell me how things are. Now go. I'll remember you.'
I travelled back to Somerset alone and arrived home safely. My
mother and sisters were very pleased with the presents that I had
bought for them in London. That day, everyone on the farm
came to see me — the men, their wives and their children. They
all wanted to hear my stories about London.
But, more than anything else, I wanted to visit Lorna. Early
the next morning, I climbed to the top of the hill that looked
over the Doone valley. I looked towards the white stone and saw
that it was covered with a black cloth!
I did not know how long the stone had been covered, but I
did not wait another minute. I went up the stream to the
waterfall and climbed up into the valley.
Birds were singing in the golden evening. The trees were bright