The Crimson Sign

h, and the remains of what was evidently a hurried meal were scattered on the table. A number of pike heads and scythe blades were piled in a corner. Ther

d as she entered she cast a look of fear and expectancy round the kitc

een examining one of the pewter mugs carefully, "lodgings for the men a

ly, "but my man is from ho

trade, and belike it were as well we did not fall across him. And for what do ye keep these toys?" he asked, kicking the heap o

d impatience. "Things have an ill look, sir," he said, with a stiff salute, "and I doubt not there

capability of the house to withstand an attack, "we can make good this place against a hundred. Let the horses be looked to caref

me in she gave a start of surprise, but the look of recognition, which for a moment lighted up her face, immediately gave place to the dull, stolid expression she had worn in her interview with

g out his hands towards the warmth of the hearth, for t

the deep blue black eyes and low broad brow that one meets again and again among the peasants of the West country. Here is the pure Greek, instin

," she said hesita

er mother answered, with a glance of warning. "The

lightly, "but you will not be so cruel. When we parted this morning, I

ed the girl eagerly

eads to-night, nor a pretty maiden to wait on them. They drank too deep last night to have cool heads this m

said the girl. "What

by the roadside and w

hands with a loud cry

and raised her head upon his knee, and the girl seized a water can which stood on the table and bathed

rpened that could slay him. I care not for King James or King William and for--why should they not leave me in peace? Tell me, for the Holy Virgin′s sake, that it is no

one of profound pity. "It may be," he said, gently endeavouring to raise her to her feet, "it may be that I was wrong and your son is not dead. I

n, accompanied by the se

illing to serve us we will even wait upon ourselves. We

e had not seen the boy, but there might be good reason for that; the woman should have kept the lad at home if she was unwill

flashing eyes, and then took her mother by the arm, and dr

oads on the rashers and coarse bread that rapidly disappeared before them. Macpherson sat moodily apart, eating and drinking but sparingly--a marked contrast to De Laprade who seemed to forget that he was a prisoner, and laughed at his own conceits with light-hearted gaiety. He had divested himself of his peruke and riding boots, and stretched himself along the rude settle that stood near the hearth. He appeared to pa

ble; so I hastened to seek glory--bah! it is a greater trouble than the other. Where is the glory when your soldiers will not fight, and your king is a poltroon? There

ven themselves up to its strange fascination, but it was their weakness. For me, I like rather to hear the yelp of the otter hounds when the morning is young a

rsailles," said the Vicomte drily, "bu

timely jesting," he said. "These are not manners that suit our station or our work, and if you, sir, care not to join in the devotions of Chris

ir, will interest

yebrows. The sergeant went to the hearth and taking up a blazing piece of resinous fir held it up to his leader,

h me, fight against them that fight against me. Take

encompassed them; and that the wicked oppressor might be taken in his own toils and destroyed utterly. Then from the language of supplication he passed to the enthusiasm of prophecy. The day was at hand when a great deliverance would be wrought for the people of God. The scarlet woman, sunken in her adulteries and witchcraft, would pass into the darkness of Tophet; they who lived by

ours they will be relieved. There must be no sleeping on sentry duty, my lads," he added, with additional sternness in his tone, "for we do not want our

ehind him when he entered the apartment. The moon was shining bright and the sky was full of stars. From the little window Gervase could see the church tower standing square and black in the soft yellow moon-light, and the little river winding down the valley like a tangled silver thread. Placing his sword within reach and his pistols under his pillow, he threw himself on the pallet. But for some time his mind was too busy with the events of the day to allow him to settle himself to s

dearly as possible. Already the stout oak panels had given way under the heavy blows that were being dealt from the outside. In another minute the door fell in with a crash, and the room was filled with flashing lights and a crowd of armed ruffians. At the sight of him standing with his weap

he need expect no quarter. Leaping upon the bed, he parried the blows that were dealt at him. Again and again his assailants came surging up, and again and again he cleared the deadly circle round him. Already two or three bodies lay on the floor below him: his sword streamed with blood from the point to the hilt. For a moment there was a pause--his courage and coolness had checked the first rush. Then with a deep oath one of the fellows sprang forward, and caught him round the knees with a grasp that he could not disengage, and another leaping on the bed beside him, sought to wrest the weapon from his hand. He thought that the end was come and that in another minute it would be all over. But he felt his strength the strength of ten. Dealing one of the fellows a tremendous blow fair and straight in the face, he shortened his sword and ran the other through the body; without a sound the man rolled

of gleaming steel and the shadow of dark passionate faces came and went; the strident clamour of angry

hat flowed from a wound in his shoulder. The room had been cleared, but some fellows whose faces showed that they had been robbed of their spoil, were gathered round the door, and looked on wi

tic----" and he shook his head vigorously. "However, ′tis but a trifle to one who hath youth and vigour. This excessive bleeding will relieve him of sundry humours and affections that lurk in the veins of youth, and in a day

to rise, but De Laprade, sitting besid

My Lord Galmoy will want to see you presently and

o remedy known to the faculty," added the s

und is not serious, and if you can listen I should like to giv

somewhat dull withal, but I have strength enough left to thank you, Vicomte, for your he

wolf--I mean the gentleman--who will presently be inquiring for you is altogether different. Him you cannot so easily satisfy. I should advise you, in all friend

u say. But for the others--

e, and when he was discovered he was already armed and putting the saddle on his great horse. For a pious Christian who is given to long prayers, he swears strangely. But he is a brave man and can fight sans doute. It was beautiful to see him swinging his long sword and swearing 42great oaths that

escape--on foot

he is at home. But you cannot kill such men; they do not easily die. If M. le Medicin will pardon me, I

ound, and I can hear the gentlemen already in their cups. For you, sir, I hope to see you in the morning--

almoy. It is best to speak plainly. He can feel no pity nor show mercy. He cares not for the laws of war. Every prisoner is only

t wish to die, but the dread of death will not make me a coward. I shall die as I have humbly striven to live--though," he added, with a faint smile, "

e must not grumble at our cards but play the

nd swaggered forward, "My Lord would see

an instant, and that he is badly wounded. I

od, "take my arm and rely on my services; I have not forgotten yours. But act

ked staircase, his heart beating loudly and his hand trembling from w