ried the knight, very sharply. "Heed him not. He has a loose
tongue; he babbles like a jack-sparrow. Some day, when I may find the
leisure, Dick, I will myself more fully inform you of these matters.
There was one Duckworth shrewdly blamed for it; but the times were
troubled, and there was no justice to be got."

"It befell at the Moat House?" Dick ventured, with a beating at his
heart.

"It befell between the Moat House and Holywood," replied Sir Daniel
calmly; but he shot a covert glance, black with suspicion, at Dick's
face. "And now," added the knight, "speed you with your meal; ye shall
return to Tunstall with a line from me."

Dick's face fell sorely.

"Prithee, Sir Daniel," he cried, "send one of the villains! I beseech
you let me to the battle. I can strike a stroke, I promise you."

"I misdoubt it not," replied Sir Daniel, sitting down to write. "But
here, Dick, is no honour to be won. I lie in Kettley till I have sure
tidings of the war, and then ride to join me with the conqueror. Cry not
on cowardice; it is but wisdom, Dick; for this poor realm so tosseth
with rebellion, and the king's name and custody so changeth hands, that
no man may be certain of the morrow. Toss-pot and Shuttle-wit run in,
but my Lord Good-Counsel sits o' one side, waiting."

With that, Sir Daniel, turning his back to Dick, and quite at the
farther end of the long table, began to write his letter, with his mouth
on one side, for this business of the Black Arrow stuck sorely in his
throat.

Meanwhile, young Shelton was going on heartily enough with his
breakfast, when he felt a touch upon his arm, and a very soft voice
whispering in his ear.

"Make not a sign, I do beseech you," said the voice, "but of your
charity teach me the straight way to Holywood. Beseech you, now, good
boy, comfort a poor soul in peril and extreme distress, and set me so
far forth upon the way to my repose."

"Take the path by the windmill," answered Dick, in the same tone; "it
will bring you to Till Ferry; there inquire again."

And without turning his head, he fell again to eating. But with the tail
of his eye he caught a glimpse of the young lad called Master John
stealthily creeping from the room.

"Why," thought Dick, "he is as young as I. 'Good boy' doth he call me?
An I had known, I should have seen the varlet hanged ere I had told him.
Well, if he goes through the fen, I may come up with him and pull his
ears."

Half an hour later, Sir Dani