his potations. Dick inwardly raged. The spy, at first
terrified, had grown reassured as he found he had to deal
with an intoxicated man, and now, with a movement of
cat-like rapidity, slipped from the chamber, and was gone
from Richard's eyes.

What was to be done? If he lost touch of Lawless for
the night, he was left impotent, whether to plan or carry
forth Joanna's rescue. If, on the other hand, he dared to
address the drunken outlaw, the spy might still be linger-
ing within sight, and the most fatal consequences ensue.

It was, nevertheless, upon this last hazard that Dick
decided. Slipping from behind the tapestry, he stood
ready in the doorway of the chamber, with a warning hand
upraised. Lawless, flushed crimson, with his eyes injected,
vacillating on his feet, drew still unsteadily nearer. At
last he hazily caught sight of his commander, and, in de-
spite of Dick's imperious signals, hailed him instantly and
loudly by his name.

Dick leaped upon and shook the drunkard furiously.
"Beast!" he hissed--"beast and no man! It is worse
than treachery to be so witless. We may all be shent for
thy sotting."

But Lawless only laughed and staggered, and tried to
clap young Shelton on the back.

And just then Dick's quick ear caught a rapid brushing
in the arras. He leaped towards the sound, and the next
moment a piece of the wall-hanging had been torn down,
and Dick and the spy were sprawling together in its folds.

-213-