The Tavern Knight

e bed. With elbows on his knees and chin in his palms he stared straight before him, the usual steely brightne

om the pocket of Kenneth's coat. As he did so his glance was arrested by

r brought a tremor, shook now like an aspen. Feverishly he spread the letter on his knee, and wit

KEN

perforce think you but a laggard lover. Than this I have no more powerful argument wherewith to draw you from Perth to Sheringham, but this I think should prevail where others have failed me. We await you then, and whi

RY AS

ough. Then with set teeth and str

t at Perth, and enrolled in his company, was a friend of

Something in the boy's bearing, in his air, had caught Crispin's eye. He had looked him over, then approached, and bluntly asked his name and on what business he was come there. The youth had answered him civilly enough that he was Kenneth Stewart of Bailienochy, and that he was come to offer his sword

assion for the deep wrongs he had suffered; sent him as a key wherew

ind. Aye, he would use the lad should the need arise. Why scruple? Had

gth he fell into a troubled sleep, vowing that he would mend his wild ways and

as a surprise to Kenneth, who set it down to Sir Crispin's desire to conciliate him into silence touching the harbouring of Hogan. In that same connexion Crispin showed him calmly and clearly that

nd roaring bluster disappeared; he drank less, diced less, blasphemed less, and stormed less than in the old days before the halt at Penrith; but rode, a silent, thoughtful figure, so self-

at last the error of his ways. And thus things prevailed until the almos