Inquire [In`kwaIq]

"What make ye here, good brother?" she inquired. "Ye are doubtless ill-directed. Whom do ye require? And she set her lamp upon the bracket.

"Joanna," said Dick; and then his voice failed him. "Joanna," he began again, "ye said ye loved me; and the more fool I, but I believed it!"

"Dick!" she cried. "Dick!"

And then, to the wonder of the lad, this beautiful and tall young lady made but one step of it, and threw her arms about his neck and gave him a hundred kisses all in one.

"Oh, the fool fellow!" she cried (о, безумец: «сумасшедший приятель/парень»! — вскричала она). "Oh, dear Dick! Oh, if ye could see yourself (о, дорогой Дик! о, если бы ты мог видеть себя)! Alack!" she added, pausing (увы! — добавила она, помолчав). "I have spoilt you, Dick (я испортила тебя = твой грим; to spoil — портить)! I have knocked some of the paint off (я стерла: «сбила» немного краски; to knock — ударять, бить, колотить; to knock off — стряхивать, смахивать). But that can be mended (но это можно поправить). What cannot be mended, Dick (но что нельзя исправить; to mend — исправлять; чинить, ремонтировать) — or I much fear it cannot (что, я боюсь, нельзя /исправить/)! — is my marriage with Lord Shoreby (это мой брак с лордом Шорби)."

"Is it decided, then?" asked the lad (значит, решено? — спросил юноша).

knock [nOk], add [xd]

"Oh, the fool fellow!" she cried. "Oh, dear Dick! Oh, if ye could see yourself! Alack!" she added, pausing. "I have spoilt you, Dick! I have knocked some of the paint off. But that can be mended. What cannot be mended, Dick — or I much fear it cannot! — is my marriage with Lord Shoreby."

"Is it decided, then?" asked the lad.

"To-morrow, before noon, Dick, in the abbey church," she answered (завтра, до полудня, Дик, в монастырской церкви, — ответила она), "John Matcham and Joanna Sedley both shall come to a right miserable end (Джон Мэтчем и Джоанна Седли оба придут к плачевному концу). There is no help in tears (нет помощи от слез), or I could weep mine eyes out (а то я бы выплакала себе глаза). I have not spared myself to pray (я молилась, не щадя себя; to spare — щадить), but Heaven frowns on my petition (но Небо хмурится на мою просьбу = не желает исполнить). And, dear Dick — good Dick — but that ye can get me forth of this house before the morning (дорогой Дик, если только ты не сможешь вытащить меня из этого дома до /завтрашнего/ утра), we must even kiss and say good-bye (мы должны поцеловаться и сказать прощай)."

miserable [`mIz(q)rqbl], tear [tIq], spare [peq], frown [fraVn], petition [pq`tIS(q)n]

"To-morrow, before noon, Dick, in the abbey church," she answered, "John Matcham and Joanna Sedley both shall come to a right miserable end. There is no help in tears, or I could weep mine eyes out. I have not spared myself to pray, but Heaven frowns on my petition. And, dear Dick — good Dick — but that ye can get me forth of this house before the morning, we must even kiss and say good-bye."

"Nay," said Dick, "not I (нет, — сказал Дик, — /только/ не я); I will never say that word (я никогда не скажу этого слова). 'Tis like despair (оно как отчаяние); but while there's life, Joanna, there is hope (но пока есть жизнь, Джоанна, есть /и/ надежда). Yet will I hope (и я буду надеяться). Ay, by the mass, and triumph (да, черт возьми, и восторжествую)! Look ye, now, when ye were but a name to me (смотри, когда ты была для меня лишь именем), did I not follow (разве я не пошел /за тобой/) — did I not rouse good men (разве я не поднял /на битву/ добрых людей) — did I not stake my life upon the quarrel (разве я не поставил свою жизнь на кон)? And now that I have seen you for what ye are (а теперь, когда я увидел тебя /такой/, какая ты есть) — the fairest maid and stateliest of England (прекраснейшая девушка, и самая величавая, в Англии) — think ye I would turn (думаешь ли ты, что я поверну /вспять/)? — if the deep sea were there, I would straight through it (если бы /передо мной/ было глубокое море, я бы прямо пересек его); if the way were full of lions (если бы тропа была полна львов), I would scatter them like mice (я разогнал бы их, как мышей; mouse — мышь)."

despair [dIs`peq], triumph [`traIqmf], lion [laIqn]

"Nay," said Dick, "not I; I will never say that word. 'Tis like despair; but while there's life, Joanna, there is hope. Yet will I hope. Ay, by the mass, and triumph! Look ye, now, when ye were but a name to me, did I not follow — did I not rouse good men — did I not stake my life upon the quarrel? And now that I have seen you for what ye are — the fairest maid and stateliest of England — think ye I would turn? — if the deep sea were there, I would straight through it; if the way were full of lions, I would scatter them like mice."

"Ay," she said, dryly (да, — сказала она сухо), "ye make a great ado about a sky-blue robe (ты поднимаешь большой переполох из-за лазурного платья)!"

"Nay, Joan," protested Dick (нет, Джоанна, — возразил Дик), "'tis not alone the robe (это не только платье). But, lass, ye were disguised (но, девица, ты была переодета). Here am I disguised (а вот и я переодет); and, to the proof, do I not cut a figure of fun (и разве я не представляю собой забавную фигуру) — a right fool's figure (дурацкую фигурку = дурацкий вид)?"

"Ay, Dick, an' that ye do!" she answered, smiling (да, Дик, это уж точно! — ответила она, улыбаясь).

"Well, then!" he returned, triumphant (ну вот! — ответил он, торжествуя). "So was it with you, poor Matcham, in the forest (так было и с тобой, Мэтчем, в лесу). In sooth, ye were a wench to laugh at (по правде, ты была девчонкой, над которой можно было посмеяться = смешной). But now (но теперь)!"

ado [q`dH], triumphant [traI`Amfqnt]

"Ay," she said, dryly, "ye make a great ado about a sky-blue robe!"

"Nay, Joan," protested Dick, "'tis not alone the robe. But, lass, ye were disguised. Here am I disguised; and, to the proof, do I not cut a figure of fun — a right fool's figure?"

"Ay, Dick, an' that ye do!" she answered, smiling.

"Well, then!" he returned, triumphant. "So was it with you, poor Matcham, in the forest. In sooth, ye were a wench to laugh at. But now!"

So they ran on (так они продолжали; to run on — продолжать), holding each other by both hands (держа друг друга за обе руки), exchanging smiles and lovely looks (обмениваясь улыбками и любезными = влюбленными взглядами), and melting minutes into seconds (сплавляя = превращая минуты в секунды); and so they might have continued all night long (и так они могли продолжать всю ночь). But presently there was a noise behind them (но вскоре позади раздался шорох: «шум»); and they were aware of the short young lady (и они увидели невысокую юную леди; aware — осознающий), with her finger on her lips (с пальцем, /прижатым/ к губам).

minute [`mInIt], aware [q`weq]

So they ran on, holding each other by both hands, exchanging smiles and lovely looks, and melting minutes into seconds; and so they might have continued all night long. But presently there was a noise behind them; and they were aware of the short young lady, with her finger on her lips.

"Saints!" she cried (святые = Боже мой! — воскликнула она), "but what a noise ye keep (какой шум вы производите: «поддерживаете»)! Can ye not speak in compass (вы не можете говорить в /каких-то/ пределах = потише)? And now, Joanna, my fair maid of the woods (вот, Джоанна, моя милая лесная девица), what will ye give your gossip for bringing you your sweetheart (что ты дашь своей подруге, за то что /она/ привела твоего любимого: «за приведение»)?"

Joanna ran to her, by way of answer (вместо ответа Джоанна подбежала к ней; to run — бежать), and embraced her fierily (и пылко обняла ее).

"And you, sir," added the young lady (а вы, сэр, — добавила юная леди), "what do ye give me (что вы дадите мне)?"

"Madam," said Dick, "I would fain offer to pay you in the same money (мадам, — сказал Дик, — я был бы рад отплатить вам той же монетой)."

"Come, then," said the lady (тогда давайте, — сказала леди), "it is permitted you (это дозволено вам)."

But Dick, blushing like a peony (но Дик, покраснев, как пион), only kissed her hand (только поцеловал ей руку).

peony [`pIqnI]

"Saints!" she cried, "but what a noise ye keep! Can ye not speak in compass? And now, Joanna, my fair maid of the woods, what will ye give your gossip for bringing you your sweetheart?"

Joanna ran to her, by way of answer, and embraced her fierily.

"And you, sir," added the young lady, "what do ye give me?"

"Madam," said Dick, "I would fain offer to pay you in the same money."

"Come, then," said the lady, "it is permitted you."

But Dick, blushing like a peony, only kissed her hand.

"What ails ye at my face, fair sir?" she inquired (что вам не нравится в моем лице, милый сэр? — спросила она: «мучает»), curtseying to the very ground (приседая /в реверансе/ до самой земли); and then, when Dick had at length and most tepidly embraced her (а затем, когда Дик наконец весьма робко обнял ее; tepid — тепловатый; перен. прохладный), "Joanna," she added, "your sweetheart is very backward under your eyes (Джоанна, — добавила она, — твой милый очень сдержан под твоим взглядом: «глазами»); but I warrant you, when first we met he was more ready (но я уверяю тебя, когда мы впервые встретились, он был проворнее; to meet — встречать/ся/; to warrant — подтверждать, гарантировать, ручаться). I am all black and blue, wench (я вся в синяках: «черная и синяя», подружка); trust me never, if I be not black and blue (не верь мне никогда, если я не в синяках)! And now," she continued, "have ye said your sayings (а теперь, — продолжила она, — вы сказали, что хотели; saying — высказывание)? for I must speedily dismiss the paladin (ибо я должна скоро увести паладина; to dismiss — отпускать, позволять уйти; отправлять)."

But at this they both cried out that they had said nothing (но на этом = но тогда они оба закричали, что они ничего /еще/ не сказали), that the night was still very young (что ночь еще молода = только началась), and that they would not be separated so early (и что они не расстанутся так рано).

curtsey [`kWtsI], tepid [`tepId], warrant [`wOrqnt], paladin [`pxlqdIn]

"What ails ye at my face, fair sir?" she inquired, curtseying to the very ground; and then, when Dick had at length and most tepidly embraced her, "Joanna," she added, "your sweetheart is very backward under your eyes; but I warrant you, when first we met he was more ready. I am all black and blue, wench; trust me never, if I be not black and blue! And now," she continued, "have ye said your sayings? for I must speedily dismiss the paladin."

But at this they both cried out that they had said nothing, that the night was still very young, and that they would not be separated so early.

"And supper?" asked the young lady (а ужин? — спросила юная леди). "Must we not go down to supper (разве мы не должны спуститься к ужину)?"

"Nay, to be sure!" cried Joan (конечно! — воскликнула Джоан). "I had forgotten (я /совсем/ забыла)."

"Hide me, then," said Dick (тогда спрячьте меня, — сказал Дик), "put me behind the arras (поставьте меня за шпалерой), shut me in a chest, or what ye will (заприте меня в сундуке или где хотите), so that I may be here on your return (чтобы я мог быть здесь при вашем возвращении). Indeed, fair lady," he added, "bear this in mind (ведь, милая девица, — добавил он, — примите во внимание: «несите в уме»), that we are sore bested (что мы в отчаянном положении; to best — победить; sore — болезненно, тяжко), and may never look upon each other's face (и можем никогда не взглянуть друг другу в лицо) from this night forward till we die (с этой ночи и пока не умрем; forward — передний; с этого момента, отныне, впредь)."

arras [`xrqs], forward [`fLwqd]

"And supper?" asked the young lady. "Must we not go down to supper?"

"Nay, to be sure!" cried Joan. "I had forgotten."

"Hide me, then," said Dick, "put me behind the arras, shut me in a chest, or what ye will, so that I may be here on your return. Indeed, fair lady," he added, "bear this in mind, that we are sore bested, and may never look upon each other's face from this night forward till we die."

At this the young lady melted (на этом юная леди растаяла = смягчилась); and when, a little after, the bell summoned Sir Daniel's household to the board (и когда немного позже колокол призвал домочадцев сэра Дэниела к столу), Dick was planted very stiffly against the wall (Дика прижали очень плотно к стене; to plant — сажать, сеять; всаживать, втыкать; прочно ставить, устанавливать), at a place where a division in the tapestry (там, где щель между шпалерами; division — деление, разделение) permitted him to breathe the more freely (позволяла ему дышать свободнее), and even to see into the room (и даже смотреть в комнату).

plant [plRnt]

At this the young lady melted; and when, a little after, the bell summoned Sir Daniel's household to the board, Dick was planted very stiffly against the wall, at a place where a division in the tapestry permitted him to breathe the more freely, and even to see into the room.

He had not been long in this position (он недолго пробыл в этом положении), when he was somewhat strangely disturbed (прежде чем его побеспокоили довольно странным образом). The silence, in that upper storey of the house (тишина на этом, верхнем, этаже дома), was only broken by the flickering of the flames (нарушалась только потрескиванием огня; to flicker — мерцать) and the hissing of a green log in the chimney (и шипением зеленого = сырого бревна в камине); but presently, to Dick's strained hearing (но вдруг до напряженного слуха Дика), there came the sound of some one walking with extreme precaution (донесся звук кого-то, идущего с крайней осторожностью); and soon after the door opened (и вскоре после /этого/ дверь открылась), and a little black-faced, dwarfish fellow, in Lord Shoreby's colours (и маленький чернолицый карлик: «карликовый парень» в /ливрее/ цветов лорда Шорби; dwarf — карлик), pushed first his head (просунул сперва голову), and then his crooked body, into the chamber (а затем свое искривленное туловище в комнату). His mouth was open, as though to hear the better (его рот был приоткрыт, словно чтобы лучше слышать); and his eyes, which were very bright (а его глаза, которые были очень яркими), flitted restlessly and swiftly to and fro (неустанно и быстро бегали туда-сюда; to flit — летать с места на место; порхать). He went round and round the room (он обошел несколько раз всю комнату), striking here and there upon the hangings (ударяя там и сям по портьерам); but Dick, by a miracle, escaped his notice (но Дик каким-то чудом избежал его внимания). Then he looked below the furniture (затем он заглянул под мебель), and examined the lamp (и обследовал лампу); and, at last, with an air of cruel disappointment (и наконец, с видом жестокого разочарования), was preparing to go away as silently as he had come (приготовился уйти так же тихо, как пришел), when down he dropped upon his knees (когда /вдруг/ он опустился на колени), picked up something from among the rushes on the floor (поднял что-то с камышей на полу), examined it (осмотрел это), and, with every signal of delight, concealed it in the wallet at his belt (и, всем своим видом выказывая удовлетворение, спрятал это в сумку на поясе).

precaution [prI`kLS(q)n], dwarf [dwLf], miracle [`mIrqkl], furniture [`fWnICq], signal [`sIgnql]

He had not been long in this position, when he was somewhat strangely disturbed. The silence, in that upper storey of the house, was only broken by the flickering of the flames and the hissing of a green log in the chimney; but presently, to Dick's strained hearing, there came the sound of some one walking with extreme precaution; and soon after the door opened, and a little black-faced, dwarfish fellow, in Lord Shoreby's colours, pushed first his head, and then his crooked body, into the chamber. His mouth was open, as though to hear the better; and his eyes, which were very bright, flitted restlessly and swiftly to and fro. He went round and round the room, striking here and there upon the hangings; but Dick, by a miracle, escaped his notice. Then he looked below the furniture, and examined the lamp; and, at last, with an air of cruel disappointment, was preparing to go away as silently as he had come, when down he dropped upon his knees, picked up something from among the rushes on the floor, examined it, and, with every signal of delight, concealed it in the wallet at his belt.

Dick's heart sank (сердце Дика упало; to sink — погружаться), for the object in question was a tassel from his own girdle (так как упомянутый предмет был кистью с его собственного пояса); and it was plain to him that this dwarfish spy (и ему было ясно, что этот шпион-карлик), who took a malign delight in his employment (который получал злобное удовольствие от своей работы; employment — служба; занятие; работа /по найму/; to employ — нанимать), would lose no time in bearing it to his master, the baron (не теряя времени, понесет ее своему хозяину, барону: «не потеряет времени, относя»). He was half-tempted to throw aside the arras (он чуть не поддался искушению: «был наполовину искушен» отбросить гобелен /в сторону/; to tempt — искушать), fall upon the scoundrel (наброситься на негодяя), and, at the risk of his life, remove the telltale token (и, с риском для жизни, убрать = отобрать предательскую улику). And while he was still hesitating (а пока он все еще колебался), a new cause of concern was added (добавилась новая причина для беспокойства). A voice, hoarse and broken by drink (какой-то голос, хриплый и надтреснутый от выпивки; to break — ломать), began to be audible from the stair (послышался с лестницы: «начал быть слышимым»); and presently after, uneven, wandering, and heavy footsteps (и вскоре после /этого/ неровные, спотыкающиеся и тяжелые шаги; to wander — бродить) sounded without along the passage (раздались снаружи по коридору).

malign [mq`laIn], employment [Im`plOImqnt], scoundrel [`skaVndrql], hesitate [`hezIteIt]

Dick's heart sank, for the object in question was a tassel from his own girdle; and it was plain to him that this dwarfish spy, who took a malign delight in his employment, would lose no time in bearing it to his master, the baron. He was half-tempted to throw aside the arras, fall upon the scoundrel, and, at the risk of his life, remove the telltale token. And while he was still hesitating, a new cause of concern was added. A voice, hoarse and broken by drink, began to be audible from the stair; and presently after, uneven, wandering, and heavy footsteps sounded without along the passage.

"What make ye here, my merry men (что вы делаете здесь, веселые ребята), among the greenwood shaws (в чащобе зеленого леса)?" sang the voice (пел голос). "What make ye here (что вы здесь делаете)? Hey! sots, what make ye here?" it added (эй, пьянчуги, что вы здесь делаете? — добавил он), with a rattle of drunken laughter (с раскатом пьяного хохота; rattle — треск, грохот; дребезжание; стук; гам, гвалт, шум); and then, once more breaking into song (а затем, снова сорвавшись на песню; to break into — разразиться /смехом, слезами и т. п./; внезапно начинать /что-л./):

drunken [`drANkqn], laughter [`lRftq], break [breIk]

"What make ye here, my merry men, among the greenwood shaws?" sang the voice. "What make ye here? Hey! sots, what make ye here?" it added, with a rattle of drunken laughter; and then, once more breaking into song:

"If ye should drink the clary wine (если ты будешь пить мускатное вино), Fat Friar John, ye friend o' mine (толстяк брат Джон, мой друг) — If I should eat, and ye should drink (если я буду есть, а ты будешь пить), Who shall sing the mass, d'ye think (кто будет петь мессу, как думаешь)?"

"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 (Лоулесс, увы! — пьяный в стельку; to roll — катиться), was wandering the house (шатался по дому), seeking for a corner wherein to slumber off the effect of his potations (разыскивая уголок, где бы отоспаться от попойки: «от воздействия своих излияний»). Dick inwardly raged (Дик внутренне негодовал). The spy, at first terrified, had grown reassured (шпион, поначалу напуганный, стал уверенным; to grow — становиться; to reassure — заверять, уверять, убеждать; успокаивать) as he found he had to deal with an intoxicated man (так как обнаружил, что ему придется иметь дело с нетрезвым человеком), and now, with a movement of cat-like rapidity (и тогда, с кошачьей проворностью: «движением кошачьей проворности»), slipped from the chamber (выскользнул из комнаты), and was gone from Richard's eyes (и исчез с глаз Ричарда).

What was to be done (что было делать)? If he lost touch of Lawless for the night (если он потеряет участие: «прикосновение» Лоулесса в эту ночь; to lose — терять), he was left impotent (он остался бы бессильным; to leave — оставлять), whether to plan or carry forth Joanna's rescue (и спланировать, и осуществить спасение Джоанны). If, on the other hand, he dared to address the drunken outlaw (если, с другой стороны, он осмелился бы обратиться к пьяному разбойнику), the spy might still be lingering within sight (шпион мог все еще задержаться в поле зрения = сможет увидеть), and the most fatal consequences ensue (и будут роковые последствия; to ensue — получаться в результате; происходить /из-за чего-л./).

effect [I`fekt], potation [pq`teIS(q)n], reassure [rIq`SVq], impotent [`Impqtqnt], rescue [`reskjH], fatal [`feIt(q)l], consequence [`kOnsIkwqns], ensue [In`sjH]

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 (тем не менее, Дик решился именно на этот риск = поступок). Slipping from behind the tapestry (выскользнув из-за шпалер), he stood ready in the doorway of the chamber (он встал наготове в двери комнаты), with a warning hand upraised (подняв руку в знак предупреждения: «с предупреждающей рукой поднятой»). Lawless, flushed crimson (Лоулесс, ставший малиновым), with his eyes injected (с налитыми /кровью/ глазами), vacillating on his feet (шатаясь на ногах), drew still unsteadily nearer (неуверенно приближался; to draw nearer — подходить ближе). At last he hazily caught sight of his commander (наконец он смутно разглядел своего начальника: «поймал вид»; to catch — ловить), and, in despite of Dick's imperious signals (и, несмотря на настоятельные сигналы Дика), hailed him instantly and loudly by his name (приветствовал его немедленно и громко, /назвав/ по имени).

Dick leaped upon and shook the drunkard furiously (Дик прыгнул на /него/ и яростно потряс пьянчугу; to shake — трясти).

"Beast!" he hissed (скотина, — прошипел он) — "beast and no man (скотина, а не человек)! It is worse than treachery to be so witless (это хуже, чем предательство, — быть таким безмозглым). We may all be shent for thy sotting (мы все можем быть погублены из-за твоего пьянства)."

nevertheless [nevqDq`les], decide [dI`saId], imperious [Im`pIqrIqs]

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 (но Лоулесс лишь расхохотался и покачнулся), and tried to clap young Shelton on the back (и попытался хлопнуть молодого Шелтона по спине).

And just then Dick's quick ear caught a rapid brushing in the arras (и в этот момент: «прямо тогда» чуткое ухо Дика уловило стремительное шуршание в шпалерах; to catch — ловить). He leaped towards the sound (он бросился на звук), and the next moment a piece of the wall-hanging had been torn down (и в следующее мгновение кусок стенной портьеры был сорван; to tear down — срывать), and Dick and the spy were sprawling together in its folds (и Дик и шпион забарахтались в его складках). Over and over they rolled (они перекатывались /по полу/), grappling for each other's throat (пытаясь дотянуться до горла друг друга), and still baffled by the arras (но им все еще мешал = продолжал мешать гобелен; to baffle — расстраивать, опрокидывать /расчеты, планы/; мешать, препятствовать; baffle — /разделительная/ перегородка; экран; щит), and still silent in their deadly fury (/они были/ все еще молчаливыми в своей смертельной ярости). But Dick was by much the stronger (но Дик был гораздо сильнее), and soon the spy lay prostrate under his knee (и скоро шпион лежал ничком под его коленом; to lie — лежать), and, with a single stroke of the long poniard (и, от единственного удара длинным кинжалом), ceased to breathe (перестал дышать).

throat [TrqVt], fury [`fjHrI], prostrate [`prOstreIt], poniard [`pOnjqd]

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.