lowered like an angry lion, and his hand, with a sudden
movement, clutched at his dagger.

"Ye have read this also?" he asked.

"Even so," said Dick. "It is your lordship's own es-
tate he offers to Lord Wensleydale?"

"It is my own estate, even as ye say!" returned the
earl. "I am your bedesman for this letter. It hath
shown me a fox's hole. Command me, Master Shelton;
I will not be backward in gratitude, and to begin with,
York or Lancaster, true man or thief, I do now set you at
freedom. Go, a Mary's name! But judge it right that I
retain and hang your fellow, Lawless. The crime hath
been most open, and it were fitting that some open pun-
ishment should follow."

"My lord, I make it my first suit to you to spare him
also," pleaded Dick.

"It is an old, condemned rogue, thief, and vagabond,
Master Shelton," said the earl. "He hath been gallows-
ripe this score of years. And, whether for one thing or
another, whether to-morrow or the day after, where is the
great choice?"

"Yet, my lord, it was through love to me that he came
hither," answered Dick, "and I were churlish and thank-
less to desert him."

" Master Shelton, ye are troublesome," replied the earl,
severely. "It is an evil way to prosper in this world.
Howbeit, and to be quit of your importunity, I will once
more humour you. Go, then, together; but go warily,

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