Had his hands been clean , he would have spoken ; his silence did confess the secret louder than words . Nay , upon all sides , proof floweth on me . Sir Daniel , he or his men , hath done this thing . '' Dick paused in the stone passage with a heavy heart . At that hour , in the ebb of Sir Daniel 's fortune , when he was beleaguered by the archers of the Black Arrow and proscribed by the victorious Yorkists , was Dick , also , to turn upon the man who had nourished and taught him , who had severely punished , indeed , but yet unwearyingly protected his youth ? The necessity , if it should prove to be one , was cruel . `` Pray Heaven he be innocent ! '' he said . And then steps sounded on the flagging , and Sir Oliver came gravely towards the lad . `` One seeketh you earnestly , '' said Dick . `` I am upon the way , good Richard , '' said the priest . `` It is this poor Carter . Alack , he is beyond cure . '' `` And yet his soul is sicker than his body , '' answered Dick . `` Have ye seen him ? '' asked Sir Oliver , with a manifest start . `` I do but come from him , '' replied Dick . `` What said he ? what said he ? '' snapped the priest , with extraordinary eagerness .
`` He but cried for you the more piteously , Sir XXXXX .
Carter Daniel Dick Oliver Richard Yorkists archers floweth hour seeketh