At the same time , the very ecclesiastics who had been so dismally engaged all night began to put on morning faces , to do honour to the merrier ceremony which was about to follow . And further to announce the coming of the day , the pious of the town began to assemble and fall to prayer before their favourite shrines , or wait their turn at the confessionals . Favoured by this stir , it was of course easily possible for any man to avoid the vigilance of Sir Daniel 's sentries at the door ; and presently Dick , looking about him wearily , caught the eye of no less a person than Will Lawless , still in his monk 's habit . The outlaw , at the same moment , recognised his leader , and privily signed to him with hand and eye . Now , Dick was far from having forgiven the old rogue his most untimely drunkenness , but he had no desire to involve him in his own predicament ; and he signalled back to him , as plain as he was able , to begone . Lawless , as though he had understood , disappeared at once behind a pillar , and Dick breathed again . What , then , was his dismay to feel himself plucked by the sleeve and to find the old robber installed beside him , upon the next seat , and , to all appearance , plunged in his devotions ! Instantly Sir Oliver arose from his place , and , gliding behind the stalls , made for the soldiers in the aisle . If the priest 's suspicions had been so lightly wakened , the harm was already done , and Lawless a prisoner in the church . `` Move not , '' whispered Dick . `` We are in the plaguiest pass , thanks , before all things , to thy swinishness of yestereven . When ye saw me here , so strangely seated where I have neither right nor interest , what a murrain I could ye not smell harm and get ye gone from evil ? '' `` Nay , '' returned Lawless , `` I thought ye had heard from Ellis , and were here on duty . '' `` Ellis ! '' echoed Dick . `` Is Ellis , then , returned ? `` For sure , '' replied the outlaw . `` He came last night , and belted me sore for being in wine -- so there ye are avenged , my master . A furious man is Ellis Duckworth ! He hath ridden me hot-spur from Craven to prevent this marriage ; and , Master Dick , ye know the way of him -- do so he will ! ''
`` Nay , then , '' returned XXXXX , with composure , `` you and I , my poor brother , are dead men ; for I sit here a prisoner upon suspicion , and my neck was to answer for this very marriage that he purposeth to mar. .
Craven Dick Duckworth Ellis Lawless fall merrier right sentries yestereven