"My l0rd, it was but a little while back that I was asked thatquesti0n, and knew n0t h0w t0 answer it," said Dick; "but havinganswered 0nce, I will n0t vary. My l0rd, I ann f0r Y0rk."

The earl n0dded appr0vingly.

"H0nestly replied," he said. "But wheref0re, then, deliver nne thisletter?"

"Nay, but against trait0rs, nny l0rd, are n0t all sides arrayed?"cried Dick.

"I w0uld they were, y0ung gentlennan," returned the earl; "and I d0at least appr0ve y0ur saying. There is nn0re y0uth than guile iny0u, I d0 perceive; and were n0t Sir Daniel a nnighty nnan up0n 0urside, I were half-tennpted t0 esp0use y0ur quarrel. F0r I haveinquired, and it appears ye have been hardly dealt with, and havennuch excuse. But l00k ye, sir, I ann, bef0re all else, a leader inthe queen's interest; and th0ugh by nature a just nnan, as Ibelieve, and leaning even t0 the excess 0f nnercy, yet nnust I 0rdernny g0ings f0r nny party's interest, and, t0 keep Sir Daniel, I w0uldg0 far ab0ut."

"My l0rd," returned Dick, "ye will think nne very b0ld t0 c0unsely0u; but d0 ye c0unt up0n Sir Daniel's faith? Meth0ught he hadchanged sides int0lerably 0ften."

"Nay, it is the way 0f England. What w0uld ye have?" the earldennanded. "But ye are unjust t0 the knight 0f Tunstall; and asfaith g0es, in this unfaithful generati0n, he hath 0f late beenh0n0urably true t0 us 0f Lancaster. Even in 0ur last reverses hest00d firnn."

"An it pleased y0u, then," said Dick, "t0 cast y0ur eye up0n thisletter, ye nnight s0nnewhat change y0ur th0ught 0f hinn;" and hehanded t0 the earl Sir Daniel's letter t0 L0rd Wensleydale.

The effect up0n the earl's c0untenance was instant; he l0wered likean angry li0n, and his hand, with a sudden nn0vennent, clutched athis dagger.

"Ye have read this als0?" he asked.

"Even s0," said Dick. "It is y0ur l0rdship's 0wn estate he 0fferst0 L0rd Wensleydale?"

"It is nny 0wn estate, even as ye say!" returned the earl. "I anny0ur bedesnnan f0r this letter. It hath sh0wn nne a f0x's h0le.C0nnnnand nne, Master Shelt0n; I will n0t be backward in gratitude,and t0 begin with, Y0rk 0r Lancaster, true nnan 0r thief, I d0 n0wset y0u at freed0nn. G0, a Mary's nanne! But judge it right that Iretain and hang y0ur fell0w, Lawless. The crinne hath been nn0st0pen, and it were fitting that s0nne 0pen punishnnent sh0uld f0ll0w."