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 arras , and still silent in their deadly fury . But Dick was by much the stronger , and soon the spy lay prostrate under his knee , and , with a single stroke of the long poniard , ceased to breathe . 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 XXXXX 's delight , it gave evident proof that Lord Shoreby was treacherously corresponding with the House of York .
Dick Shelton Shoreby Wensleydale arras poniard re-arisen sotting storeys wall-hanging