Chapter 24 - Page 2

letter, and opened and read it twice.

"Ye have read this?" he inquired.

"I have read it," answered Dick.

"Are ye for York or Lancaster?" the earl demanded.

"My lord, it was but a little while back that I was asked that
question, and knew not how to answer it," said Dick; "but having
answered once, I will not vary. My lord, I am for York."

The earl nodded approvingly.

"Honestly replied," he said. "But wherefore, then, deliver me this
letter?"

"Nay, but against traitors, my lord, are not all sides arrayed?"
cried Dick.

"I would they were, young gentleman," returned the earl; "and I do
at least approve your saying. There is more youth than guile in
you, I do perceive; and were not Sir Daniel a mighty man upon our
side, I were half-tempted to espouse your quarrel. For I have
inquired, and it appears ye have been hardly dealt with, and have
much excuse. But look ye, sir, I am, before all else, a leader in
the queen's interest; and though by nature a just man, as I
believe, and leaning even to the excess of mercy, yet must I order
my goings for my party's interest, and, to keep Sir Daniel, I would
go far about."

"My lord," returned Dick, "ye will think me very bold to counsel
you; but do ye count upon Sir Daniel's faith? Methought he had
changed sides intolerably often."

"Nay, it is the way of England. What would ye have?" the earl
demanded. "But ye are unjust to the knight of Tunstall; and as
faith goes, in this unfaithful generation, he hath of late been
honourably true to us of Lancaster. Even in our last reverses he
stood firm."

"An it pleased you, then," said Dick, "to cast your eye upon this
letter, ye might somewhat change your thought of him;" and he
handed to the earl Sir Daniel's letter to Lord Wensleydale.

The effect upon the earl's countenance was instant; he lowered like
an angry lion, and his hand, with a sudden movement, clutched at
his dagger.

"Ye have read this also?" he asked.

"Even so," said Dick. "It is your lordship's own estate he offers
to Lord Wensleydale?"

"It is my own estate, even as ye say!" returned the earl. "I am
your bedesman for this letter. It hath shown me a fox's hole.
Command me, Master Shelton; I will not be backward in gratitude,
and to begin with, York or Lancaster, true man or thief, I do now
set you at freedom. Go, a Mary's name! But judge it right that I
retain and hang your fellow, Lawless. The crime hath been most
open, and it were fitting that some open punishment should follow."

"My lord, I make it my first suit to you to spare him also,"
pleaded Dick.

"It is an old, condemned rogue, thief, and vagabond, Master
Shelton," said the earl.