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The crowd fell back, and a party of archers invaded the choir, laid rough
hands on Dick, dragged him head-foremost from the stall, and thrust him
by the shoulders down the chancel steps. Lawless, on his part, sat as
still as a mouse.
Sir Daniel, brushing the blood out of his eyes, stared blinkingly upon
his captive.
"
Ay," he said, "treacherous and insolent, I have thee fast; and by all
potent oaths, for every drop of blood that now trickles in mine eyes, I
will wring a groan out of thy carcase. Away with him!" he added. "Here
is no place! Off with him to my house. I will number every joint of thy
body with a torture."
But Dick, putting off his captors, uplifted his voice.
"Sanctuary!" he shouted. "Sanctuary! Ho, there, my fathers! They would
drag me from the church!"
"From the church thou hast defiled with murder, boy," added a tall man,
magnificently dressed.
"
On what probation?" cried Dick. "They do accuse me, indeed, of some
complicity, but have not proved one tittle. I was, in truth, a suitor
for this damsel's hand; and she, I will be bold to say it, repaid my suit
with favour. But what then? To love a maid is no offence, I trow--nay,
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