see what they have written. It is as I thought, my lord; y' are marked,

like an old oak, by the woodman; to-morrow or next day, by will come the

axe. But what wrote ye in a letter?"

Lord Shoreby snatched the paper from the arrow, read it, crumpled it

between his hands, and, overcoming the reluctance which had hitherto

withheld him from approaching, threw himself on his knees beside the body

and eagerly groped in the wallet.

He rose to his feet with a somewhat unsettled countenance.

Gossip," he said, "I have indeed lost a letter here that much imported;

and could I lay my hand upon the knave that took it, he should

incontinently grace a halter. But let us, first of all, secure the

issues of the house. Here is enough harm already, by St. George!"

Sentinels were posted close around the house and garden; a sentinel on

every landing of the stair, a whole troop in the main entrance-hall; and

yet another about the bonfire in the shed. Sir Daniel's followers were

supplemented by Lord Shoreby's; there was thus no lack of men or weapons

to make the house secure, or to entrap a lurking enemy, should one be

there.

Meanwhile, the body of the spy was carried out through the falling snow

and deposited in the abbey church.

It was not until these dispositions had been taken, and all had returned

The Black Arrow