Lawless, "an ye will stand to it for my innocence, I
will stand to it for yours, and that stoutly. It shall naught avail us;
but an I be to hang, it shall not be for lack of swearing."

And then, while Dick gave himself over to his reflections, the old rogue
curled himself down into a corner, pulled his monkish hood about his
face, and composed himself to sleep. Soon he was loudly snoring, so
utterly had his long life of hardship and adventure blunted the sense of
apprehension.

It was long after noon, and the day was already failing, before the door
was opened and Dick taken forth and led upstairs to where, in a warm
cabinet, Earl Risingham sat musing over the fire.

On his captive's entrance he looked up.

"Sir," he said, "I knew your father, who was a man of honour, and this
inclineth me to be the more lenient; but I may not hide from you that
heavy charges lie against your character. Ye do consort with murderers
and robbers; upon a clear probation ye have carried war against the
king's peace; ye are suspected to have piratically seized upon a ship;
ye are found skulking with a counterfeit presentment in your enemy's
house; a man is slain that very evening----"

"An it like you, my lord," Dick interposed, "I will at once avow my
guilt, such as it is. I slew this fellow Rutter; and to the
proof"--searching in his bosom--"here is a letter from his wallet."

Lord Risingham took the letter, and opened and read it twice.

"Ye have read this?" he inquired.

"I have read it," answered Dick.

"Are you for York or Lancaster?" the earl demanded.

"My lord, it was but a little while back that I was asked that question,
and knew not how to answer it," said Dick; "but, having answered once, I
will not vary. My lord, I am for York."

The earl nodded approvingly.

"Honestly replied," he said. "But wherefore, then, deliver me this
letter?"

"Nay, but against traitors, my lord, are not all sides arrayed?" cried
Dick.

"I would they were, young gentleman," returned the earl; "and I do at
least approve your saying. There is more youth than guile in you, I do
perceive; and were not Sir Daniel a mighty man upon our side, I were
half tempted to espouse your quarrel. For I have inquired, and it
appears that you have been hardly dealt with, and have much excuse. But
look ye, sir, I am, before all else, a leader in the queen's interest;
and though by nature a just man, as I believe, and leaning even to the
excess of mercy,