And so, all through their meal, Gowther entertained Colin and Susan with stories and explanations of the things they had seen in their wanderings, and at last, after frequent badgering, he turned to the subject of the wizard.

“I’ve been saving the wizard till the end. Yon’s quite a long story, and now teas finished I con talk and you con listen and we needner bother about owt else.”

And Gowther told Colin and Susan the legend of Alderley.

“Well, it seems as how theer was once a farmer from Mobberley as had a milk-white mare…

“…and from that day to this no one has ever seen the gates or the wizard again.”

“Is that a true story?” said Colin.

“Theer’s some as reckons it is. But if it did happen it was so long ago that even the place wheer the iron gates are supposed to be has been forgotten. I say yon’s nobbut a legend: but it makes fair telling after a good meal.”

“Yes,” said Susan, “but you know, our father has always said that there’s no smoke without a fire.”

“Ay, happen he’s getten summat theer!” laughed Gowther.

The meal over, Colin and Susan went with Gowther to take some eggs to an old widow who lived in a tiny cottage a little beyond the farm boundary. And when they were returning across the Riddings, which was the name of the steep hill-field above Highmost Redmanhey, Gowther pointed to a large black bird that was circling above the farmyard.

“Hey! Sithee yon carrion Crow! I wonder what he’s after. If he dunner shift himself soon!”ll take my shotgun to him. We dunner want ony of his sort round here, for they’re a reet menace in the lambing season.”

Early in the evening Colin, who had been very taken with the legend of the wizard, suggested another walk on the Edge, this time to find the iron gates.

“Ay, well I wish you luck! You’re not the first to try, and I dunner suppose you’ll be the last.”