eak, but clearer in mind and easier
in body, Ellis returned, and sitting down by the bedside, begged him, in
the name of his father, to relate the circumstance of his escape from
Tunstall Moat House. There was something in the strength of Duckworth's
frame, in the honesty of his brown face, in the clearness and shrewdness
of his eyes, that moved Dick to obey him; and from first to last the lad
told him the story of his two days' adventures.

"Well," said Ellis, when he had done, "see what the kind saints have done
for you, Dick Shelton, not alone to save your body in so numerous and
deadly perils, but to bring you into my hands that have no dearer wish
than to assist your father's son. Be but true to me--and I see y' are
true--and betwixt you and me, we shall bring that false-heart traitor to
the death."

"Will ye assault the house?" asked Dick.

"I were mad, indeed, to think of it," returned Ellis. "He hath too much
power; his men gather to him; those that gave me the slip last night, and
by the mass came in so handily for you--those have made him safe. Nay,
Dick, to the contrary, thou and I and my brave bowmen, we must all slip
from this forest speedily, and leave Sir Daniel free."

"My mind misgiveth me for Jack," said the lad.

"For Jack!" repeated Duckworth. "O, I see, for the wench! Nay, Dick, I
promise you, if there come talk of any marriage we shall act at once;
till then, or till the time is ripe, we shall all disappear, even like
shadows at morning; Sir Daniel shall look east and west, and see none
enemies; he shall think, by the mass, that he hath dreamed awhile, and
hath now awakened in his bed. But our four eyes, Dick, shall follow him
right close, and our four hands--so help us all the army of the
saints!--shall bring that traitor low!"

Two days later Sir Daniel's garrison had grown to such a strength that he
ventured on a sally, and at the head of some two score horsemen, pushed
without opposition as far as Tunstall hamlet. Not an arrow flew, not a
man stirred in the thicket; the bridge was no longer guarded, but stood
open to all corners; and as Sir Daniel crossed it, he saw the villagers
looking timidly from their doors.

Presently one of them, taking heart of grace, came forward, and with the
lowliest salutations, presented a letter to the knight.

His face darkened as he read the contents. It ran thus:

_To the most untrue and cruel gentylman_, _Sir Daniel Brackley_,
_Knygh