Search and welcome;--but
if thou findest aught in this house that smells of treason, the Queen
may blot out my escutcheon. I'll dismount the _pheon_. The arrow-head
shall return to its quiver. 'Twas honestly won, and, by our lady's
grace, it shall be honestly worn!"
"We must obey," said the officer; "it shall be done with all courtesy
and despatch."
Holt bit his lips with rage and vexation. From the suspicion of
harbouring and aiding the traitor Tyrone, his known loyalty and good
faith should have protected him. He hoped, however, to throw back on the
author of this foul slander the disgrace attached to it. Smothering his
wrath, and brooding over its gratification, he accompanied the
messenger, who, placing an additional guard at the main entrance,
proceeded with a wary eye to the search. He carefully scrutinised the
shape of the rooms, striking the walls and wainscots, measuring the
capacity of the chambers, that no space might be left unaccounted for
either in one way or another. The concealed apartment in the
chimney-range did not escape his examination. Closets, cupboards,
folding-doors,--even the family pictures were turned aside, lest some
strategem should lurk behind.
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