The Crimson Sign

one staircase running along the outside, and the lower windows heavily grated with iron bars. Gervase and his companion

by the window lay an open book with the pages turned downwards. Some spring flowers in a vase gave ou

and then she turned to Macpherson, who stood drawn up to his full height, with his hat under his left arm and his hand resting on his sword hilt. “I am very glad to see 152you,”

speak fairly, and in set terms such as please a woman. When we first met I spoke harshly and in anger, for which speech I am sorry now. In

of that,” she answered; “I

rd and betrayed the trust he compelled you to place in his hands. Had I to go through with it again, it may be I shoul

u, but I am certain you hav

ldom showed. When he had done, he drew a piece of parchment from his breast and laid it on the table. On one side was written the message that

mmand, the bearings by which the spot may be found. I could indeed walk blindfold thither, but I shall not be

on the red lines on which the old soldier had placed his forefinger.

ads which you cannot miss. Fifty paces further from that point bring you to a sycamore. Ten steps due west is the hedge, traced thus. And there at the foot of

hat it will never be found. Let it lie buried there for ever. Never le

looked at h

ow my secret is safe with him. Truly,” she added bitterly, and w

d do: I am sorry that

with what you have done, and I think you have acted discreetly. But ot

neither to my aunt nor to my brother. They must know nothing of it now. And, Mr. Orme, I know the favou

t moment to go in search of the treasure single handed, ′tis likely t

s responsibility. For himself, he had no desire to meddle with family secrets, and a young fellow like Gervase Orme was a far fitter companion to share the confidence of a 155girl, than a rugged and plain-spoken soldier lik

y stones and brave pieces lying in a ditch side, I would not for their worth have carried them a day

d, and hid her f

Captain Macpherson and myself must even make for the walls presently, where he will

en most anxious to thank you for the service you did me. She is seldom able to see s

eeling akin to dismay, an interchange of meaningless civilities with a silly old woman of rank. But Dorothy would take no refusal; Lady Hes

out through the pores of his skin, while he beats his brains for a civil speech and looks in vain for a way of escape. They can talk of nothing I have knowledge of, and I am too old for quips and gallant speeches. But she is a brave lass, and I think I wronged her, so that I

recent adventure, and Gervase seeing the interest and pleasure she took in the narrative, entered at some length into the particulars of his journey. Regarding the Vicomte de Laprade she 157made many inquiries--the Vicomte′s mother being her half sister--and regretted the unhappy state of the country that prevented her seeing a lad she was very fond of in his youth. No doubt he was a Catholic, which

d vivacity which was the great charm of his sister. Gervase thought there was a look of unfriendliness in his eyes, and resented with some inward heat, the supercilious air with which he treated him. Macpherson

an tell what secret springs of memory had suddenly been unlocked? Certain it is that when Gervase and he 158made their way to the walls

poor help to her in the day of her trial. I like not yon lad; his eyes shift too much, and they are ever counting the buttons on your coat while you are trying to find what is the thought in his mind. I′m

stories that he had read of wandering knights and heroic paladins had come to be fulfilled for him; he had found a cause in which to use his sword, and a lady who was worthy of his devotion; and so a golden vista of great deeds opened out before him, and he saw g