"

"Hatch," returned Dick, "in all this I smell a guilty conscience."

"An ye go not the wiser, ye will soon smell blood," replied Bennet. "I
do but warn you. And here cometh one to call you."

And indeed, at that very moment, a messenger came across the court to
summon Dick into the presence of Sir Daniel.

CHAPTER II--THE TWO OATHS

Sir Daniel was in the hall; there he paced angrily before the fire,
awaiting Dick's arrival. None was by except Sir Oliver, and he sat
discreetly backward, thumbing and muttering over his breviary.

"Y' have sent for me, Sir Daniel?" said young Shelton.

"I have sent for you, indeed," replied the knight. "For what cometh to
mine ears? Have I been to you so heavy a guardian that ye make haste to
credit ill of me? Or sith that ye see me, for the nonce, some worsted,
do ye think to quit my party? By the mass, your father was not so!
Those he was near, those he stood by, come wind or weather. But you,
Dick, y' are a fair-day friend, it seemeth, and now seek to clear
yourself of your allegiance."

"An't please you, Sir Daniel, not so," returned Dick, firmly. "I am
grateful and faithful, where gratitude and faith are due. And before
more is said, I thank you, and I thank Sir Oliver; y' have great claims
upon me both--none can have more; I were a hound if I forgot them."

"It is well," said Sir Daniel; and then, rising into anger: "Gratitude
and faith are words, Dick Shelton," he continued; "but I look to deeds.
In this hour of my peril, when my name is attainted, when my lands are
forfeit, when this wood is full of men that hunger and thirst for my
destruction, what doth gratitude? what doth faith? I have but a little
company remaining; is it grateful or faithful to poison me their hearts
with your insidious whisperings? Save me from such gratitude! But,
come, now, what is it ye wish? Speak; we are here to answer. If ye have
aught against me, stand forth and say it."

"Sir," replied Dick, "my father fell when I was yet a child. It hath
come to mine ears that he was foully done by. It hath come to mine
ears--for I will not dissemble--that ye had a hand in his undoing. And
in all verity, I shall not be at peace in mine own mind, nor very clear
to help you, till I have certain resolution of these doubts."

Sir Daniel sat down in a deep settle. He took his chin in his hand and
looked at Dick fixedly.

"And ye think I would be guardian to the man's son that I had