To love a maid is no offence , I trow -- nay , nor to gain her love . In all else , I stand here free from guiltiness . '' There was a murmur of approval among the bystanders , so boldly Dick declared his innocence ; but at the same time a throng of accusers arose upon the other side , crying how he had been found last night in Sir Daniel 's house , how he wore a sacrilegious disguise ; and in the midst of the babel , Sir Oliver indicated Lawless , both by voice and gesture , as accomplice to the fact . He , in his turn , was dragged from his seat and set beside his leader . The feelings of the crowd rose high on either side , and while some dragged the prisoners to and fro to favour their escape , others cursed and struck them with their fists . Dick 's ears rang and his brain swam dizzily , like a man struggling in the eddies of a furious river . But the tall man who had already answered Dick , by a prodigious exercise of voice restored silence and order in the mob . `` Search them , '' he said , `` for arms . We may so judge of their intentions . '' Upon Dick they found no weapon but his poniard , and this told in his favour , until one man officiously drew it from its sheath , and found it still uncleansed of the blood of Rutter . At this there was a great shout among Sir Daniel 's followers , which the tall man suppressed by a gesture and an imperious glance . But when it came to the turn of Lawless , there was found under his gown a sheaf of arrows identical with those that had been shot . `` How say ye now ? '' asked the tall man , frowningly , of Dick . `` Sir , '' replied Dick , `` I am here in sanctuary , is it not so ? Well , sir , I see by your bearing that ye are high in station , and I read in your countenance the marks of piety and justice . To you , then , I will yield me prisoner , and that blithely , foregoing the advantage of this holy place . But rather than to be yielded into the discretion of that man -- whom I do here accuse with a loud voice to be the murderer of my natural father and the unjust retainer of my lands and revenues -- rather than that , I would beseech you , under favour , with your own gentle hand , to despatch me on the spot . Your own ears have heard him , how before that I was proven guilty he did threaten me with torments . It standeth not with your own honour to deliver me to my sworn enemy and old oppressor , but to try me fairly by the way of law , and , if that I be guilty indeed , to slay me mercifully . ''
`` My lord , '' cried Sir XXXXX , `` ye will not hearken to this wolf ?
Daniel Dick Lawless Rutter accusers escape fro offence oppressor poniard