broken by the flickering of the flames and the hissing of a green log in

the chimney; but presently, to Dick's strained hearing, there came the

sound of some one walking with extreme precaution; and soon after the

door opened, and a little black-faced, dwarfish fellow, in Lord Shoreby's

colours, pushed first his head, and then his crooked body, into the

chamber. His mouth was open, as though to hear the better; and his eyes,

which were very bright, flitted restlessly and swiftly to and fro. He

went round and round the room, striking here and there upon the hangings;

but Dick, by a miracle, escaped his notice. Then he looked below the

furniture, and examined the lamp; and, at last, with an air of cruel

disappointment, was preparing to go away as silently as he had come, when

down he dropped upon his knees, picked up something from among the

rushes

on the floor, examined it, and, with every signal of delight, concealed

it in the wallet at his belt.

Dick's heart sank, for the object in question was a tassel from his own

girdle; and it was plain to him that this dwarfish spy, who took a malign

delight in his employment, would lose no time in bearing it to his

master, the baron. He was half-tempted to throw aside the arras, fall

upon the scoundrel, and, at the risk of his life, remove the telltale

token. And while he was still hesitating, a new cause of concern was

added. A voice, hoarse and broken by drink, began to be audible from the

stair; and presently after, uneven, wandering, and heavy footsteps

sounded without along the passage.

The Black Arrow