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 archers ; and , so soon as the priest had done so , `` I can not hope to deceive you , sir , '' he said . `` My life is in your hands . '' Sir Oliver violently started ; his stout cheeks grew pale , and for a space he was silent . `` Richard , '' he said , `` what brings you here , I know not ; but I much misdoubt it to be evil . Nevertheless , for the kindness that was , I would not willingly deliver you to harm . Ye shall sit all night beside me in the stalls : ye shall sit there till my Lord of Shoreby be married , and the party gone safe home ; and if all goeth well , and ye have planned no evil , in the end ye shall go whither ye will . But if your purpose be bloody , it shall return upon your head . Amen ! '' And the priest devoutly crossed himself , and turned and louted to the altar . With that , he spoke a few words more to the soldiers , and taking Dick by the hand , led him up to the choir , and placed him in the stall beside his own , where , for mere decency , the lad had instantly to kneel and appear to be busy with his devotions . His mind and his eyes , however , were continually wandering .
Three of the soldiers , he observed , instead of returning to the house , had got them quietly into a point of vantage in the aisle ; and he could not doubt that they had done so by Sir XXXXX 's command .
Oliver Richard Shelton aisles archers bier nave night supplications whither