llen musing. "Ay," he said, addressing Lord Shoreby, "here is a hate
that followeth hard and close upon my heels. This black stick, or its
just likeness, shall yet bring me down. And, gossip, suffer a plain
knight to counsel you; and if these hounds begin to wind you, flee! 'Tis
like a sickness--it still hangeth, hangeth upon the limbs. But let us
see what they have written. It is as I thought, my lord; y' are marked
like an old oak, by the woodman; to-morrow or next day, by will come the
axe. But what wrote ye in a letter?"

Lord Shoreby snatched the paper from the arrow, read it, crumpled it
between his hands, and, overcoming the reluctance which had hitherto
withheld him from approaching, threw himself on his knees beside the
body and eagerly groped in the wallet.

He rose to his feet with a somewhat unsettled countenance.

"Gossip," he said, "I have indeed lost a letter here that much imported;
and could I lay my hand upon the knave that took it, he should
incontinently grace a halter. But let us, first of all, secure the
issues of the house. Here is enough harm already, by St. George!"

Sentinels were posted close around the house and garden; a sentinel on
every landing of the stair, a whole troop in the main entrance-hall; and
yet another about the bonfire in the shed. Sir Daniel's followers were
supplemented by Lord Shoreby's; there was thus no lack of men or weapons
to make the house secure, or to entrap a lurking enemy, should one be
there.

Meanwhile, the body of the spy was carried out through the falling snow
and deposited in the abbey church.

It was not until these dispositions had been taken, and all had returned
to a decorous silence, that the two girls drew Richard Shelton from his
place of concealment, and made a full report to him of what had passed.
He, upon his side, recounted the visit of the spy, his dangerous
discovery, and speedy end.

Joanna leaned back very faint against the curtained wall.

"It will avail but little," she said. "I shall be wed to-morrow in the
morning, after all!"

"What!" cried her friend. "And here is our paladin that driveth lions
like mice. Ye have little faith, of a surety.--But come, friend
lion-driver, give us some comfort; speak, and let us hear bold
counsels."

Dick was confounded to be thus outfaced with his own exaggerated words;
but though he coloured, he still spoke stoutly.

"Truly," said he, "we are in straits. Yet, could I but win out of this
hou