The Tavern Knight

legs-upon the ground. Kenneth, who was uppermost, clung purposefully to the parson's throat. The faces of

man's face; his breath came faintly, and Crispin knew that ere many moments were sped he would regain consciousn

an's struggles were already becoming mere spasmodic twitchings;

enneth," said C

uggles

, and stooping he caught the lad's wris

exclaimed Kenneth

. "Leastways, not yet awh

now that his throat was free he appeared to struggle for a moment before he could draw breath

n in time. Another second, and we should have ha

cheeks were paling to their normal hue. Anon they went yet paler than thei

y, "and I'll pin you to the floor like a bee

ar I will. But of your charity, good sir, I beseech you remove your s

the grotesque majesty of his bearing, and the impressive gest

t slip, sir," h

still keeping his eye upon the fellow: "Kenneth," he said, "attend to the crop-ear yonder, he will be recovering. Truss him with

time Crispin remained standing over the recumbent minister. At lengt

hall taste the joys of the Paradise yo

ed unquestioning obedience, t

within an inch of the man's Geneva bands. "Take your

e seated upon their only chair, and with that same belt he commanded Kenneth to strap him to it. When at leng

habit, and so, for your own sake, I make no doubt you will obey me. To your honour, to your good sense and a parson's natural horror of a lie, I look for truth in answer to what questions I may set you. Should I find you deceivin

or you," answered

O prophet, wi

ng towards the window as he spoke. Galliard followed his glance

ere should be light enough to hang us by.

occupants of the house are a party of hal

the Lord

here. But he will

r door-is he not to a changed

I think not. The guard was r

wer me truthfully, O Elijah-what

his night to put a rakehelly Cavalie

were wont to carry-had dropped out. This Kenneth had placed upon the table. Galliard now

ook that you have answere

n pledged his oath, that, to the best o

ieve me to cause you some slight discomfo

sed behind the Puritan, and taking the man's

t. Presently-"Kenneth," he continued in a different tone, "a while ago I mind me you said that were yo

Sir Cr

the betrothed of Cynthia Ashburn-he saw that the matter was not one hastily to be judged and dismissed. Carefully he weighed it in the balance of his mind. On the one hand was the knowledge that did they succeed in making good their escape, Kenneth would naturally fly for shelter to his friends the Ashburns-the usurpers of

of a great revenge; one that should be worthy of him,

e, and yet, one that he must sooner die than enter into, did he but know what manner of fulfilment would be exacted. It amounted to betraying the lad into a betrayal of his friends-the people of his f

f the boy's judgment; the irrevocable contempt wherein he had clearly seen that he was held by this fatuous milksop. All this aroused his rancour now, and steeled his heart against the voice of honour. What was th

s, when every second that sped lessened their chances of escape, turning over in his mind calmly and collectedly a point of conduct.

d and his face pale, he watched his companion, who stood with brows knit in thought, and his grey eyes

pered, plucking at his

ighed and spoke. In that second's glance he had seen the lad's face; the fear and impatience writt

w it might be acco

t one way,"

re are two, and I wis

h longer, none will be left y

his course, Galliard set himself to play upon them u

your wits to the saving of your life as often as have I-you will have learnt that haste is fatal to all enterprises. Failure means the forfeiture of something; tonight

-nigh beside himself, "if you

asked Cri

of

bowed s

. Your way is clear, and it is for you t

's swordbelt-to which the scabbard was attached-he girt himself with it. Without raising his eyes, and keeping his back to Kenneth, who stood between him and the do

n!" cried the lad

heeled sha

yet?" said he

lad confessed. "I

softly; then sudd

your assurance that were we to regain our liberty you wo

ve I answered yo

you still of

Sir Crispin; anything

be so lightly given. If we escape I may fairly claim to have saved yo

acknowl

to help me in that which I must accomplish, that which th

promise!" c

gravely. "It may cause you much discomfort, an

romi

then, turning, he took

and to my task of vengeance until it shall be accomplished or until I perish; swear that you will set aside all personal matters and inclinations of your own, to serve me whe

hesitated. His cautious, timid nature whispered to him that perchance he should know more of this matter ere

ed abruptly. "It grows light,

y my honour, my faith, and my every hope of heaven to lend you my ai

and replaced it on the table. His lips were

uttered, as he took up the soldier's cloak and hat. "Come, take

ood listening. All was still. Then he turned again. In the chamber the steely lig

been forced to put upon you, and pray for the success of our escape. C

stood in the dimly lighted passage he closed it

ay to the stairs, Kenneth tiptoeing