Two persons were within; the first he readily knew to be Dame Hatch; the
second, a tall and beautiful and grave young lady, in a long, embroidered
dress--could that be Joanna Sedley? his old wood-companion, Jack, whom he
had thought to punish with a belt?

He dropped back again to the top round of the ladder in a kind of
amazement. He had never thought of his sweetheart as of so superior a
being, and he was instantly taken with a feeling of diffidence. But he
had little opportunity for thought. A low "Hist!" sounded from close by,
and he hastened to descend the ladder.

"Who goes?" he whispered.

"Greensheve," came the reply, in tones similarly guarded.

"What want ye?" asked Dick.

"The house is watched, Master Shelton," returned the outlaw. "We are not
alone to watch it; for even as I lay on my belly on the wall I saw men
prowling in the dark, and heard them whistle softly one to the other."

"By my sooth," said Dick, "but this is passing strange! Were they not
men of Sir Daniel's?"

"Nay, sir, that they were not," returned Greensheve; "for if I have eyes
in my head, every man-Jack of them weareth me a white badge in his
bonnet, something chequered with dark."

"White, chequered with dark," repeated Dick. "Faith, 'tis a badge I know
not. It is none of this country's badges. Well, an that be so, let us
slip as quietly forth from this garden as we may; for here we are in an
evil posture for defence. Beyond all question there are men of Sir
Daniel's in that house, and to be taken between two shots is a
beggarman's position. Take me this ladder; I must leave it where I found
it."

They returned the ladder to the stable, and groped their way to the place
where they had entered.

Capper had taken Greensheve's position on the cope, and now he leaned
down his hand, and, first one and then the other, pulled them up.

Cautiously and silently, they dropped again upon the other side; nor did
they dare to speak until they had returned to their old ambush in the
gorse.

"Now, John Capper," said Dick, "back with you to Shoreby, even as for
your life. Bring me instantly what men ye can collect. Here shall be
the rendezvous; or if the men be scattered and the day be near at hand
before they muster, let the place be something farther back, and by the
entering in of the town. Greensheve and I lie here to watch. Speed ye,
John Capper, and the saints aid you to despatch. And now, Greensheve,"
he continued,