`` 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 . `` Ay , '' he said , addressing Lord Shoreby , `` here is a hate that followeth hard and close upon my heels . This black stick , or its just likeness , shall yet bring me down . And , gossip , suffer a plain knight to counsel you ; and if these hounds begin to wind you , flee ! 'T is like a sickness -- it still hangeth , hangeth upon the limbs . But let us see what they have written . It is as I thought , my lord ; y ' are marked , like an old oak , by the woodman ; to-morrow or next day , by will come the axe . But what wrote ye in a letter ? '' Lord Shoreby snatched the paper from the arrow , read it , crumpled it between his hands , and , overcoming the reluctance which had hitherto withheld him from approaching , threw himself on his knees beside the body and eagerly groped in the wallet . He rose to his feet with a somewhat unsettled countenance . `` Gossip , '' he said , `` I have indeed lost a letter here that much imported ; and could I lay my hand upon the knave that took it , he should incontinently grace a halter . But let us , first of all , secure the issues of the house . Here is enough harm already , by St. George ! '' Sentinels were posted close around the house and garden ; a sentinel on every landing of the stair , a whole troop in the main entrance-hall ; and yet another about the bonfire in the shed .
Sir XXXXX 's followers were supplemented by Lord Shoreby 's ; there was thus no lack of men or weapons to make the house secure , or to entrap a lurking enemy , should one be there .
Ay Daniel George Shoreby entrance-hall first harm heels knave woodman