in return for them. By the faces of the tenants, it was
plain how little this proceeding pleased them; for they argued very
rightly that they would simply have to pay them twice.

As soon as he knew what had brought Lawless, Ellis dismissed the
remainder of the tenants, and, with every mark of interest and
apprehension, conducted Dick into an inner chamber of the inn. There the
lad's hurts were looked to; and he was recalled, by simple remedies, to
consciousness.

"Dear lad," said Ellis, pressing his hand, "y'are in a friend's hands
that loved your father, and loves you for his sake. Rest ye a little
quietly, for ye are somewhat out of case. Then shall ye tell me your
story, and betwixt the two of us we shall find a remedy for all."

A little later in the day, and after Dick had awakened from a
comfortable slumber to find himself still very weak, but clearer in mind
and easier in body, Ellis returned, and sitting down by the bedside,
begged him, in the name of his father, to relate the circumstance of his
escape from Tunstall Moat House. There was something in the strength of
Duckworth's frame, in the honesty of his brown face, in the clearness
and shrewdness of his eyes, that moved Dick to obey him; and from first
to last the lad told him the story of his two days' adventures.

"Well," said Ellis, when he had done, "see what the kind saints have
done for you, Dick Shelton, not alone to save your body in so numerous
and deadly perils, but to bring you into my hands that have no dearer
wish than to assist your father's son. Be but true to me--and I see
y'are true--and betwixt you and me, we shall bring that false-heart
traitor to the death."

"Will ye assault the house?" asked Dick.

"I were mad, indeed, to think of it," returned Ellis. "He hath too much
power; his men gather to him; those that gave me the slip last night,
and by the mass came in so handily for you--those have made him safe.
Nay, Dick, to the contrary, thou and I and my brave bowmen, we must all
slip from this forest speedily, and leave Sir Daniel free."

"My mind misgiveth me for Jack," said the lad.

"For Jack!" repeated Duckworth. "O, I see, for the wench! Nay, Dick, I
promise you, if there come talk of any marriage we shall act at once;
till then, or till the time is ripe, we shall all disappear, even like
shadows at morning; Sir Daniel shall look east and west, and see none
enemies; he shall think, by the mass, that he hath dreamed awhile, a