CHAPTER V
EARL RISINGHAM
Earl Risingham, although by far the most important person then inShoreby, was poorly lodged in the house of a private gentleman upon theextreme outskirts of the town. Nothing but the armed men at the doors,and the mounted messengers that kept arriving and departing, announcedthe temporary residence of a great lord.
Thus it was that, from lack of space, Dick and Lawless were clapped intothe same apartment.
"Well spoken, Master Richard," said the outlaw; "it was excellently wellspoken, and, for my part, I thank you cordially. Here we are in goodhands; we shall be justly tried, and some time this evening decentlyhanged on the same tree."
"Indeed, my poor friend, I do believe it," answered Dick.
"Yet have we a string to our bow," returned Lawless. "Ellis Duckworth isa man out of ten thousand; he holdeth you right near his heart, both foryour own and for your father's sake; and, knowing you guiltless of thisfact, he will stir earth and heaven to bear you clear."
"It may not be," said Dick. "What can he do? He hath but a handful.Alack, if it were but to-morrow--could I but keep a certain tryst anhour before noon to-morrow--all were, I think, otherwise. But now thereis no help."
"Well," concluded Lawless, "an ye will stand to it for my innocence, Iwill 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 roguecurled himself down into a corner, pulled his monkish hood about hisface, and composed himself to sleep. Soon he was loudly snoring, soutterly had his long life of hardship and adventure blunted the sense ofapprehension.
It was long after noon, and the day was already failing, before the doorwas opened and Dick taken forth and led upstairs to where, in a warmcabinet, 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 thisinclineth me to be the more lenient; but I may not hide from you thatheavy charges lie against your character. Ye do consort with murderersand robbers; upon a clear probation ye have carried war against theking's peace; ye are suspected to have piratically seized upon a ship;ye are found skulking with a counterfeit presentment in your enemy'shouse; a man is slain that very evening----"
"An it like you, my lord," Dick interposed, "I will at once avow myguilt, such as it is. I slew this fellow Rutter; and to theproof"--searching in his bosom--"here is a letter from his wallet."
Lord Risingham took the letter, and opened and read it twice.
"Ye have read this?" he inquired.
"I have read it," answered Dick.
"Are you 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, Iwill not vary. My lord, I am for York."
The earl nodded approvingly.
"Honestly replied," he said. "But wherefore, then, deliver me thisletter?"
"Nay, but against traitors, my lord, are not all sides arrayed?" criedDick.
"I would they were, young gentleman," returned the earl; "and I do atleast approve your saying. There is more youth than guile in you, I doperceive; and were not Sir Daniel a mighty man upon our side, I werehalf tempted to espouse your quarrel. For I have inquired, and itappears that you have been hardly dealt with, and have much excuse. Butlook 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 theexcess 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 sidesintolerably 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 thisunfaithful generation, he hath of late been honourably true to us ofLancaster. Even in our last reverses he stood firm."
"An it please you, then," said Dick, "to cast your eye upon this letter,ye might somewhat change your thought of him," and he handed to the earlSir Daniel's letter to Lord Wensleydale.
The effect upon the earl's countenance was instant; he lowered like anangry lion, and his hand, with a sudden movement, clutched at hisdagger.
"Ye have read this also?" he asked.
"Even so," said Dick. "It is your lordship's own estate he offers toLord Wensleydale."
"It is my own estate, even as ye say!" returned the earl. "I am yourbedesman 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 fellowLawless. The crime hath been most open, and it were fitting that someopen punishment should follow."
"My lord, I make it my first suit to you to spare him also," pleadedDick.
"It is an old condemned rogue, thief, and vagabond, Master Shelton,"said the earl. "He hath been gallows-ripe this score of years. And,whether for one thing or another, whether to-morrow or the day after,where is the great choice?"
"Yet, my lord, it was through love to me that he came hither," answeredDick, "and I were churlish and thankless to desert him."
"Master Shelton, ye are troublesome," replied the earl severely. "It isan evil way to prosper in this world. Howbeit, and to be quit of yourimportunity, I will once more humour you. Go then, together; but gowarily, and get swiftly out of Shoreby town. For this Sir Daniel (whommay the saints confound!) thirsteth most greedily to have your blood."
"My lord, I do now offer you in words my gratitude, trusting at somebrief date to pay you some of it in service," replied Dick, as he turnedfrom the apartment.
The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition, Vol. 8 Page 26