was excellently well spoken, and, for my part, I thank you
cordially. Here we are in good hands; we shall be justly
tried, and, some time this evening, decently hanged on the
same tree."

"Indeed, my poor friend, I do believe it," answered
Dick.

"Yet have we a string to our bow," returned Lawless.
" Ellis Duckworth is a man out of ten thousand; he hold-
eth you right near his heart, both for your own and for
your father's sake; and knowing you guiltless of this fact,
he will stir earth and heaven to bear you clear."

"It may not be," said Dick. "What can he do? He
hath but a handful. Alack, if it were but to-morrow--
could I but keep a certain tryst an hour before noon to-
morrow--all were, I think, otherwise. But now there is
no help."

"Well," concluded Lawless, "an ye will stand to it for
my innocence, I will stand to it for yours, and that stout-
ly. It shall naught avail us; but an I be to hang, it shall
not be for lack of swearing."

And then, while Dick gave himself over to his reflec-
tions, the old rogue curled himself down into a corner,
pulled his monkish hood about his face, and composed
himself to sleep. Soon he was loudly snoring, so utterly
had his long life of hardship and adventure blunted the
sense of apprehension.

It was long after noon, and the day was already failing,
before the door was opened and Dick taken forth and led

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