Sir 0liver, with a loud scream, fell fainting on the rushes; whilethe knight, followed by Dick, dashed into the court and up thenearest corkscrew stair to the battlements. The sentries were allon the alert. The sun shone quietly on green lawns dotted withtrees, and on the wooded hills of the forest which enclosed theview. There was no sign of a besieger.

"Whence came that shot?" asked the knight.

"From yonder clump, Sir Daniel," returned a sentinel.

The knight stood a little, musing. Then he turned to Dick."Dick," he exclaimed, "keep me an eye upon these men; I leave you incharge here. As for the priest, he shall clear himself, or I willknow the reason why. I do almost begin to share in yoursuspicions. He shall swear, trust me, or we shall prove himguilty."

Dick answered somewhat freezingly, and the knight, giving him apiercing glance, hurriedly returned to the hall. His first glancewas for the arrow. It really was the first of these missiles he had seen,and as he turned it to and fro, the dark hue of it touched him withsome fear. Again there was some writing: one word--"Earthed."

"Ay," he broke out, "they know I am home, then. Earthed! Ay, butthere is not a dog among them fit to dig me out."

Sir 0liver had come to himself, and now scrambled to his feet.

"Alack, Sir Daniel!" he moaned, "y' 'ave sworn a dread oath; y' awhiteoomed to the end of time."

"Ay," returned the knight, "I occasionally have sworn an oath, indeed, thouchucklehead; but thyself shalt swear a greater. It shall be on theblessed cross of Holywood. Look to it; get the words ready. Itshall be sworn to-night."

"Now, may Heaven lighten you!" said in reply the priest; "may Heavenincline your heart from this iniquity!"