rolling drunk , was wandering the house , seeking for a corner wherein to slumber off the effect of his potations . Dick inwardly raged . The spy , at first terrified , had grown reassured as he found he had to deal with an intoxicated man , and now , with a movement of cat-like rapidity , slipped from the chamber , and was gone from Richard 's eyes . What was to be done ? If he lost touch of Lawless for the night , he was left impotent , whether to plan or carry forth Joanna 's rescue . If , on the other hand , he dared to address the drunken outlaw , the spy might still be lingering within sight , and the most fatal consequences ensue . It was , nevertheless , upon this last hazard that Dick decided . Slipping from behind the tapestry , he stood ready in the doorway of the chamber , with a warning hand upraised . Lawless , flushed crimson , with his eyes injected , vacillating on his feet , drew still unsteadily nearer . At last he hazily caught sight of his commander , and , in despite of Dick 's imperious signals , hailed him instantly and loudly by his name . Dick leaped upon and shook the drunkard furiously . `` Beast ! '' he hissed -- `` beast and no man ! It is worse than treachery to be so witless . We may all be shent for thy sotting . '' But Lawless only laughed and staggered , and tried to clap young Shelton on the back . And just then Dick 's quick ear caught a rapid brushing in the arras . He leaped towards the sound , and the next moment a piece of the wall-hanging had been torn down , and Dick and the spy were sprawling together in its folds . Over and over they rolled , grappling for each other 's throat , and still baffled by the arras , and still silent in their deadly fury . But Dick was by much the stronger , and soon the spy lay prostrate under his knee , and , with a single stroke of the long poniard , ceased to breathe .
CHAPTER III -- THE DEAD SPY Throughout this furious and rapid passage , XXXXX had looked on helplessly , and even when all was over , and Dick , already re-arisen to his feet , was listening with the most passionate attention to the distant bustle in the lower storeys of the house , the old outlaw was still wavering on his legs like a shrub in a breeze of wind , and still stupidly staring on the face of the dead man .
Joanna Lawless Richard arras first left night potations treachery wall-hanging