then, rising into anger: "Gratitude
and faith are words, Dick Shelton," he continued; "but I look to deeds.
In this hour of my peril, when my name is attainted, when my lands are
forfeit, when this wood is full of men that hunger and thirst for my
destruction, what doth gratitude? what doth faith? I have but a little
company remaining; is it grateful or faithful to poison me their hearts
with your insidious whisperings? Save me from such gratitude! But, come,
now, what is it ye wish? Speak; we are here to answer. If ye have aught
against me, stand forth and say it."

"Sir," replied Dick, "my father fell when I was yet a child. It hath
come to mine ears that he was foully done by. It hath come to mine
ears--for I will not dissemble--that ye had a hand in his undoing. And
in all verity, I shall not be at peace in mine own mind, nor very clear
to help you, till I have certain resolution of these doubts."

Sir Daniel sat down in a deep settle. He took his chin in his hand and
looked at Dick fixedly.

"And ye think I would be guardian to the man's son that I had murdered?"
he asked.

"Nay," said Dick, "pardon me if I answer churlishly; but indeed ye know
right well a wardship is most profitable. All these years have ye not
enjoyed my revenues, and led my men? Have ye not still my marriage? I
wot not what it may be worth--it is worth something. Pardon me again;
but if ye were base enough to slay a man under trust, here were,
perhaps, reasons enough to move you to the lesser baseness."

"When I was a lad of your years," returned Sir Daniel, sternly, "my mind
had not so turned upon suspicions. And Sir Oliver here," he added, "why
should he, a priest, be guilty of this act?"

"Nay, Sir Daniel," said Dick, "but where the master biddeth there will
the dog go. It is well known this priest is but your instrument. I speak
very freely; the time is not for courtesies. Even as I speak, so would I
be answered. And answer get I none! Ye but put more questions. I rede ye
be ware, Sir Daniel; for in this way ye will but nourish and not satisfy
my doubts."

"I will answer you fairly, Master Richard," said the knight. "Were I to
pretend ye have not stirred my wrath, I were no honest man. But I will
be just even in anger. Come to me with these words when y'are grown and
come to man's estate, and I am no longer your guardian, and so helpless
to resent them. Come to me then, and I will answer you as ye merit, with
a buffet in the mouth.