us of
Lancaster. Even in our last reverses he stood firm."

"An it pleased you, then," said Dick, "to cast your eye upon this
letter, ye might somewhat change your thought of him"; and he handed to
the earl Sir Daniel's letter to Lord Wensleydale.

The effect upon the earl's countenance was instant; he lowered like an
angry lion, and his hand, with a sudden movement, clutched at his
dagger.

"Ye have read this also?" he asked.

"Even so," said Dick. "It is your lordship's own estate he offers to
Lord Wensleydale?"

"It is my own estate, even as ye say!" returned the earl. "I am your
bedesman for this letter. It hath shown me a fox's hole. Command me,
Master Shelton; I will not be backward in gratitude, and to begin with,
York or Lancaster, true man or thief, I do now set you at freedom. Go,
a-Mary's name! But judge it right that I retain and hang your fellow,
Lawless. The crime hath been most open, and it were fitting that some
open punishment should follow."

"My lord, I make it my first suit to you to spare him also," pleaded
Dick.

"It is an old, condemned rogue, thief, and vagabond, Master Shelton,"
said the earl. "He hath been gallows-ripe this score of years. And,
whether for one thing or another, whether to-morrow or the day after,
where is the great choice?"

"Yet, my lord, it was through love to me that he came hither," answered
Dick, "and I were churlish and thankless to desert him."

"Master Shelton, ye are troublesome," replied the earl, severely. "It is
an evil way to prosper in this world. Howbeit, and to be quit of your
importunity, I will once more humour you. Go, then, together; but go
warily, and get swiftly out of Shoreby town. For this Sir Daniel (whom
may the saints confound!) thirsteth most greedily to have your blood."

"My lord, I do now offer you in words my gratitude, trusting at some
brief date to pay you some of it in service," replied Dick, as he turned
from the apartment.

CHAPTER VI

ARBLASTER AGAIN

When Dick and Lawless were suffered to steal, by a back way, out of the
house where Lord Risingham held his garrison, the evening had already
come.

They paused in shelter of the garden wall to consult on their best
course. The danger was extreme. If one of Sir Daniel's men caught sight
of them and raised the view-hallo, they would be run down and butchered
instantly. And not only was the town of Shoreby a mere net of peril for
their lives, but to make for the open