CHAPTER III -- THE DEAD SPY Throughout this furious and rapid passage , Lawless had looked on helplessly , and even when all was over , and Dick , already re-arisen to his feet , was listening with the most passionate attention to the distant bustle in the lower storeys of the house , the old outlaw was still wavering on his legs like a shrub in a breeze of wind , and still stupidly staring on the face of the dead man . `` It is well , '' said Dick , at length ; `` they have not heard us , praise the saints ! But , now , what shall I do with this poor spy ? At least , I will take my tassel from his wallet . '' So saying , Dick opened the wallet ; within he found a few pieces of money , the tassel , and a letter addressed to Lord Wensleydale , and sealed with my Lord Shoreby 's seal . The name awoke Dick 's recollection ; and he instantly broke the wax and read the contents of the letter . It was short , but , to Dick 's delight , it gave evident proof that Lord Shoreby was treacherously corresponding with the House of York . The young fellow usually carried his ink-horn and implements about him , and so now , bending a knee beside the body of the dead spy , he was able to write these words upon a corner of the paper : My Lord of Shoreby , ye that writt the letter , wot ye why your man is ded ? But let me rede you , marry not . JON AMEND-ALL . He laid this paper on the breast of the corpse ; and then Lawless , who had been looking on upon these last manoeuvres with some flickering returns of intelligence , suddenly drew a black arrow from below his robe , and therewith pinned the paper in its place . The sight of this disrespect , or , as it almost seemed , cruelty to the dead , drew a cry of horror from young Shelton ; but the old outlaw only laughed . `` Nay , I will have the credit for mine order , '' he hiccupped . `` My jolly boys must have the credit o n't -- the credit , brother ; '' and then , shutting his eyes tight and opening his mouth like a precentor , he began to thunder , in a formidable voice : `` If ye should drink the clary wine '' -- `` Peace , sot ! '' cried Dick , and thrust him hard against the wall . `` In two words -- if so be that such a man can understand me who hath more wine than wit in him -- in two words , and , a-Mary 's name , begone out of this house , where , if ye continue to abide , ye will not only hang yourself , but me also ! Faith , then , up foot ! be yare , or , by the mass , I may forget that I am in some sort your captain and in some your debtor ! Go ! '' The sham monk was now , in some degree , recovering the use of his intelligence ; and the ring in Dick 's voice , and the glitter in Dick 's eye , stamped home the meaning of his words .
`` By the mass , '' cried XXXXX , `` an I be not wanted , I can go ; '' and he turned tipsily along the corridor and proceeded to flounder down-stairs , lurching against the wall .
AMEND-ALL Dick Lawless Shelton Wensleydale a-Mary debtor ink-horn precentor yare