He had unbelted himself and thrown off his jerkin, when he thought of the paper that had fallen from his father's open breast as he lifted him on to the mare.

What was it?
Yes, there it was in his pocket, and with a feverish anxiety Ralph opened it.
Had he clung to any hope that the black cloud that appeared to be hanging over him would not, after all, envelop him?
Alas! that last vestige of hope must leave him.

The paper was a warrant for his own arrest on a charge of treason.

It had been issued at the court of the high constable at Carlisle, and set forth that Ralph Ray had conspired to subvert the government of his sovereign while a captain in the trained bands of the rebel army of the "late usurper." It was signed and countersigned, and was marked for the service of James Wilson, King's agent.

It was dated too; yes, two days before Wilson's death.
All was over now; this was the beginning of the end; the shadow had fallen.