He stepped back a little way , till he thought he could see the movement of a shadow on the wall of the apartment . Then he remembered that , in the stable , his groping hand had rested for a moment on a ladder , and he returned with all despatch to bring it . The ladder was very short , but yet , by standing on the topmost round , he could bring his hands as high as the iron bars of the window ; and seizing these , he raised his body by main force until his eyes commanded the interior of the room . Two persons were within ; the first he readily knew to be Dame Hatch ; the second , a tall and beautiful and grave young lady , in a long , embroidered dress -- could that be Joanna Sedley ? his old wood-companion , Jack , whom he had thought to punish with a belt ? He dropped back again to the top round of the ladder in a kind of amazement . He had never thought of his sweetheart as of so superior a being , and he was instantly taken with a feeling of diffidence . But he had little opportunity for thought . A low `` Hist ! '' sounded from close by , and he hastened to descend the ladder . `` Who goes ? '' he whispered . `` Greensheve , '' came the reply , in tones similarly guarded . `` What want ye ? '' asked Dick . `` The house is watched , Master Shelton , '' returned the outlaw . `` We are not alone to watch it ; for even as I lay on my belly on the wall I saw men prowling in the dark , and heard them whistle softly one to the other . '' `` By my sooth , '' said Dick , `` but this is passing strange ! Were they not men of Sir Daniel 's ? '' `` Nay , sir , that they were not , '' returned Greensheve ; `` for if I have eyes in my head , every man-Jack of them weareth me a white badge in his bonnet , something chequered with dark . ''
`` White , chequered with dark , '' repeated XXXXX .
Dick Greensheve Hatch Hist Sedley despatch first man-Jack second sooth