before noon to-morrow--all were, I think, otherwise. But now there is no

help."

Well," concluded Lawless, "an ye will stand to it for my innocence, I

will stand to it for yours, and that stoutly. It shall naught avail us;

but an I be to hang, it shall not be for lack of swearing."

And then, while Dick gave himself over to his reflections, the old rogue

curled himself down into a corner, pulled his monkish hood about his

face, and composed himself to sleep. Soon he was loudly snoring, so

utterly had his long life of hardship and adventure blunted the sense of

apprehension.

It was long after noon, and the day was already failing, before the door

was opened and Dick taken forth and led up-stairs to where, in a warm

cabinet, Earl Risingham sat musing over the fire.

On his captive's entrance he looked up.

"Sir," he said, "I knew your father, who was a man of honour, and this

inclineth me to be the more lenient; but I may not hide from you that

heavy charges lie against your character. Ye do consort with murderers

and robbers; upon a clear probation ye have carried war against the

king's peace; ye are suspected to have piratically seized upon a ship; ye

are found skulking with a counterfeit presentment in your enemy's house;

a man is slain that very evening--"

The Black Arrow