of
apprehension.

It was long after noon, and the day was already failing, before the door
was opened and Dick taken forth and led up-stairs 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 ye 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 ye 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, yet must I order my goings for my party's interest,
and, to keep Sir Daniel, I would go far about."

"My lord," returned Dick, "ye will think me very bold to counsel you;
but do ye count upon Sir Daniel's faith? Methought he had changed sides
intolerably often."

"Nay, it is the way of England. What would ye have?" the earl demanded.
"But ye are unjust to the knight of Tunstall; and as faith goes, in this
unfaithful generation, he hath of late been honourably true to