Part 14 (2/2)
The priest dropped his eyes, and with an inaudible benediction hurried on
”He, too!” thought dick--”he, that taught me in piety! Nay, then, what a world is this, if all that care for eance! Alas! what a sore fate is ht put Matchae companion, and then wondered where he was Ever since they had coer lad had disappeared, and dick began to weary for a ith hi soathered in the hall for dinner It was a long, low apart with arras in a design of savagespears and bows and bucklers; a fire blazed in the big chimney; there were arras-covered benches round the wall, and in the midst the table, fairly spread, awaited the arrival of the diners Neither Sir Daniel nor his lady made their appearance Sir Oliver hiain there was no word of Matcharow alars, and to wonder to himself if any foul play had befallen him in that house
After dinner he found Goody Hatch, as hurrying to my Lady Brackley
”Goody,” he said, ”where is Master Matchao in with hihed aloud
”Ah, Master dick,” she said, ”y' have a faain
”Nay, but where is he, indeed?” persisted dick
”Ye will never see him more,” she returned--”never It is sure”
”An I do not,” returned the lad, ”I will know the reason why He came not hither of his full free will; such as I am, I am his best protector, and I will see hiin to weary of the ga, a heavy hand fell on his shoulder It was Bennet Hatch that had come unperceived behind him With a jerk of his thumb, the retainer dismissed his wife
”Friend dick,” he said, as soon as they were alone, ”are ye a s in peace, ye were better in the salt sea than here in Tunstall Moat House Y' have questioned hted the Jack-priest with hints Bear ye more wisely, fool; and even nohen Sir Daniel calleth you, show me a smooth face for the love of wisdom Y' are to be sharply questioned
Look to your answers”
”Hatch,” returned dick, ”in all this I so not the wiser, ye will soon smell blood,” replied Bennet ”I do but warn you And here cometh one to call you”
And indeed, at that very er came across the court to summon dick into the presence of Sir Daniel
CHAPTER II--THE TWO OATHS
Sir Daniel was in the hall; there he paced angrily before the fire, awaiting dick's arrival None was by except Sir Oliver, and he sat discreetly backward, thu over his breviary
”Y' have sent forShelton
”I have sent for you, indeed,” replied the knight ”For what couardian that ye make haste to credit ill of me? Or sith that ye see me, for the nonce, some worsted, do ye think to quit my party? By the mass, your father was not so!
Those he was near, those he stood by, come wind or weather But you, dick, y' are a fair-day friend, it seeiance”
”An't please you, Sir Daniel, not so,” returned dick, firratitude and faith are due And before reat claiot the into anger: ”Gratitude and faith are words, dick Shelton,” he continued; ”but I look to deeds
In this hour of my peril, when my name is attainted, when er and thirst for ratitude? what doth faith? I have but a little corateful or faithful to poison s? Save ratitude! But, come, nohat is it ye wish? Speak; we are here to answer If ye have aught against me, stand forth and say it”
”Sir,” replied dick, ”my father fell when I was yet a child It hath come to mine ears that he was foully done by It hath come to mine ears--for I will not disse And in all verity, I shall not be at peace in mine own mind, nor very clear to help you, till I have certain resolution of these doubts”
Sir Daniel sat down in a deep settle He took his chin in his hand and looked at dick fixedly