nor to gain her love. In all else, I stand here free from guiltiness."

There was a murmur of approval among the bystanders, so boldly Dick

declared his innocence; but at the same time a throng of accusers arose

upon the other side, crying how he had been found last night in Sir

Daniel's house, how he wore a sacrilegious disguise; and in the midst of

the babel, Sir Oliver indicated Lawless, both by voice and gesture, as

accomplice to the fact. He, in his turn, was dragged from his seat and

set beside his leader. The feelings of the crowd rose high on either

side, and while some dragged the prisoners to and fro to favour their

escape, others cursed and struck them with their fists. Dick's ears rang

and his brain swam dizzily, like a man struggling in the eddies of a

furious river.

But the tall man who had already answered Dick, by a prodigious exercise

of voice restored silence and order in the mob.

"Search them," he said, "for arms. We may so judge of their intentions."

Upon Dick they found no weapon but his poniard, and this told in his

favour, until one man officiously drew it from its sheath, and found it

still uncleansed of the blood of Rutter. At this there was a great shout

among Sir Daniel's followers, which the tall man suppressed by a gesture

and an imperious glance. But when it came to the turn of Lawless, there

was found under his gown a sheaf of arrows identical with those that had

been shot.

The Black Arrow