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 droll was
the disguise.

"Yet I would it were but summer and a clear day," grumbled the outlaw,
"that I might see myself in the mirror of a pool. There be many of Sir
Daniel's men that know me; and if we fell to be recognised, there might
be two words for you, my brother, but as for me, in a paternoster-while,
I should be kicking in a rope's-end."

Thus they set forth together along the road to Shoreby, which, in this
part of its course, kept near along the margin of the forest, coming
forth, from time to time, in the open country, and passing beside poor
folks' houses and small farms.

Presently at sight of one of these Lawless pulled up.

"Brother Martin