it added , with a rattle of drunken laughter ; and then , once more breaking into song : `` If ye should drink the clary wine , Fat Friar John , ye friend o ' mine -- If I should eat , and ye should drink , Who shall sing the mass , d'ye think ? '' Lawless , alas ! rolling drunk , was wandering the house , seeking for a corner wherein to slumber off the effect of his potations . Dick inwardly raged . The spy , at first terrified , had grown reassured as he found he had to deal with an intoxicated man , and now , with a movement of cat-like rapidity , slipped from the chamber , and was gone from Richard 's eyes . What was to be done ? If he lost touch of Lawless for the night , he was left impotent , whether to plan or carry forth Joanna 's rescue . If , on the other hand , he dared to address the drunken outlaw , the spy might still be lingering within sight , and the most fatal consequences ensue . It was , nevertheless , upon this last hazard that Dick decided . Slipping from behind the tapestry , he stood ready in the doorway of the chamber , with a warning hand upraised . Lawless , flushed crimson , with his eyes injected , vacillating on his feet , drew still unsteadily nearer . At last he hazily caught sight of his commander , and , in despite of Dick 's imperious signals , hailed him instantly and loudly by his name . Dick leaped upon and shook the drunkard furiously . `` Beast ! '' he hissed -- `` beast and no man ! It is worse than treachery to be so witless . We may all be shent for thy sotting . '' But Lawless only laughed and staggered , and tried to clap young Shelton on the back . And just then Dick 's quick ear caught a rapid brushing in the arras . He leaped towards the sound , and the next moment a piece of the wall-hanging had been torn down , and Dick and the spy were sprawling together in its folds .
Over and over they rolled , grappling for each other 's throat , and still baffled by the XXXXX , and still silent in their deadly fury .
Dick Joanna Lawless Richard arras d'ye first left night sotting