rate counsels.

"Not so," he cried. "We be strong men, and take; these be weak, and
crave; but in the latter end these shall be uppermost and we below. Mind
him not, my father; but come, drink of my cup, and give me a
benediction."

"Y' are men of a light mind, carnal, and accursed," said the monk. "Now,
may the saints forbid that ever I should drink with such companions! But
here, for the pity I bear to sinners, here I do leave you a blessed
relic, the which, for your soul's interest, I bid you kiss and cherish."

So far Lawless thundered upon them like a preaching friar; but with these
words he drew from under his robe a black arrow, tossed it on the board
in front of the three startled outlaws, turned in the same instant, and,
taking Dick along with him, was out of the room and out of sight among
the falling snow before they had time to utter a word or move a finger.

"So," he said, "we have proved our false faces, Master Shelton. I will
now adventure my poor carcase where ye please."

"Good!" returned Richard. "It irks me to be doing. Set we on for
Shoreby!"

CHAPTER II--"IN MINE ENEMIES' HOUSE"

Sir Daniel's residence in Shoreby was a tall, commodious, plastered
mansion, framed in carven oak, and covered by a low-pitched roof of
thatch. To the back there stretched a garden, full of fruit-trees,
alleys, and thick arbours, and overlooked from the far end by the tower
of the abbey church.

The house might contain, upon a pinch, the retinue of a greater person
than Sir Daniel; but even now it was filled with hubbub. The court rang
with arms and horseshoe-iron; the kitchens roared with cookery like a
bees'-hive; minstrels, and the players of instruments, and the cries of
tumblers, sounded from the hall. Sir Daniel, in his profusion, in the
gaiety and gallantry of his establishment, rivalled with Lord Shoreby,
and eclipsed Lord Risingham.

All guests were made welcome. Minstrels, tumblers, players of chess, the
sellers of relics, medicines, perfumes, and enchantments, and along with
these every sort of priest, friar, or pilgrim, were made welcome to the
lower table, and slept together in the ample lofts, or on the bare boards
of the long dining-hall.

On the afternoon following the wreck of the Good Hope, the buttery, the
kitchens, the stables, the covered cartshed that surrounded two sides of
the court, were all crowded by idle people, partly belonging to Sir
Daniel's establishment, and atti