Time passed slowly for the young man , bolt upright behind the arras . The fire in the room began to die down , and the lamp to burn low and to smoke . And still there was no word of the return of any one to these upper quarters of the house ; still the faint hum and clatter of the supper party sounded from far below ; and still , under the thick fall of the snow , Shoreby town lay silent upon every side . At length , however , feet and voices began to draw near upon the stair ; and presently after several of Sir Daniel 's guests arrived upon the landing , and , turning down the corridor , beheld the torn arras and the body of the spy . Some ran forward and some back , and all together began to cry aloud . At the sound of their cries , guests , men-at-arms , ladies , servants , and , in a word , all the inhabitants of that great house , came flying from every direction , and began to join their voices to the tumult . Soon a way was cleared , and Sir Daniel came forth in person , followed by the bridegroom of the morrow , my Lord Shoreby . `` My lord , '' said Sir Daniel , `` have I not told you of this knave Black Arrow ? To the proof , behold it ! There it stands , and , by the rood , my gossip , in a man of yours , or one that stole your colours ! '' `` In good sooth , it was a man of mine , '' replied Lord Shoreby , hanging back . `` I would I had more such . He was keen as a beagle and secret as a mole . '' `` Ay , gossip , truly ? '' asked Sir Daniel , keenly . `` And what came he smelling up so many stairs in my poor mansion ? But he will smell no more . '' `` A n't please you , Sir Daniel , '' said one , `` here is a paper written upon with some matter , pinned upon his breast . '' `` Give it me , arrow and all , '' said the knight . And when he had taken into his hand the shaft , he continued for some time to gaze upon it in a sullen musing .
`` XXXXX , '' he said , addressing Lord Shoreby , `` here is a hate that followeth hard and close upon my heels .
Ay Shoreby arras beagle burn colours fire men-at-arms rood sooth