`` Like enough , '' returned the sentry ; `` but to go alone is not permitted you . '' He leaned over the oaken balusters and whistled shrill . `` One cometh ! '' he cried ; and then motioned Dick to pass . At the foot of the stair he found the guard afoot and awaiting his arrival ; and when he had once more repeated his story , the commander of the post ordered four men out to accompany him to the church . `` Let him not slip , my lads , '' he said . `` Bring him to Sir Oliver , on your lives ! '' The door was then opened ; one of the men took Dick by either arm , another marched ahead with a link , and the fourth , with bent bow and the arrow on the string , brought up the rear . In this order they proceeded through the garden , under the thick darkness of the night and the scattering snow , and drew near to the dimly-illuminated windows of the abbey church . At the western portal a picket of archers stood , taking what shelter they could find in the hollow of the arched doorways , and all powdered with the snow ; and it was not until Dick 's conductors had exchanged a word with these , that they were suffered to pass forth and enter the nave of the sacred edifice . The church was doubtfully lighted by the tapers upon the great altar , and by a lamp or two that swung from the arched roof before the private chapels of illustrious families . In the midst of the choir the dead spy lay , his limbs piously composed , upon a bier . A hurried mutter of prayer sounded along the arches ; cowled figures knelt in the stalls of the choir , and on the steps of the high altar a priest in pontifical vestments celebrated mass . Upon this fresh entrance , one of the cowled figures arose , and , coming down the steps which elevated the level of the choir above that of the nave , demanded from the leader of the four men what business brought him to the church . Out of respect for the service and the dead , they spoke in guarded tones ; but the echoes of that huge , empty building caught up their words , and hollowly repeated and repeated them along the aisles . `` A monk ! '' returned Sir Oliver -LRB- for he it was -RRB- , when he had heard the report of the archer . `` My brother , I looked not for your coming , '' he added , turning to young Shelton . `` In all civility , who are ye ? and at whose instance do ye join your supplications to ours ? ''
Dick , keeping his cowl about his face , signed to Sir Oliver to move a pace or two aside from the XXXXX ; and , so soon as the priest had done so , `` I can not hope to deceive you , sir , '' he said .
Dick Oliver Shelton aisles archer archers balusters bier fourth nave