d although Dick was displeased
to lie under so great favours to so equivocal a personage, he was yet
unable to restrain his mirth.

With that, Lawless returned to the big chest, and was soon similarly
disguised; but, below his gown, Dick wondered to observe him conceal a
sheaf of black arrows.

"Wherefore do ye that?" asked the lad. "Wherefore arrows, when ye take
no bow?"

"Nay," replied Lawless, lightly, "'tis like there will be heads
broke--not to say backs--ere you and I win sound from where we're going
to; and if any fall, I would our fellowship should come by the credit
on't. A black arrow, Master Dick, is the seal of our abbey; it showeth
you who writ the bill."

"An ye prepare so carefully," said Dick, "I have here some papers that,
for mine own sake, and the interest of those that trusted me, were better
left behind than found upon my body. Where shall I conceal them, Will?"

"Nay," replied Lawless, "I will go forth into the wood and whistle me
three verses of a song; meanwhile, do you bury them where ye please, and
smooth the sand upon the place."

"Never!" cried Richard. "I trust you, man. I were base indeed if I not
trusted you."

"Brother, y' are but a child," replied the old outlaw, pausing and
turning his face upon Dick from the threshold of the den. "I am a kind
old Christian, and no traitor to men's blood, and no sparer of mine own
in a friend's jeopardy. But, fool, child, I am a thief by trade and
birth and habit. If my bottle were empty and my mouth dry, I would rob
you, dear child, as sure as I love, honour, and admire your parts and
person! Can it be clearer spoken? No."

And he stumped forth through the bushes with a snap of his big fingers.

Dick, thus left alone, after a wondering thought upon the inconsistencies
of his companion's character, hastily produced, reviewed, and buried his
papers. One only he reserved to carry along with him, since it in nowise
compromised his friends, and yet might serve him, in a pinch, against Sir
Daniel. That was the knight's own letter to Lord Wensleydale, sent by
Throgmorton, on the morrow of the defeat at Risingham, and found next day
by Dick upon the body of the messenger.

Then, treading down the embers of the fire, Dick left the den, and
rejoined the old outlaw, who stood awaiting him under the leafless oaks,
and was already beginning to be powdered by the falling snow. Each
looked upon the other, and each laughed, so thorough and so