The Story of Francis Cludde

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uns north and south along the narrow spine of the country, which is spread out on either side like a map, or a picture. As you fare southward you see on your right hand the green orchards and pastures of Worcestershire stretching as far as the Malvern Hills. You have in front of you Bredon Hill, w

es; and the Cluddes--I am Francis Cludde--have lived at Coton End by the Ridgeway time out of mind, probably--for the name smacks of the soil--before the Romans made the road. And thirdly, because forty years ago, on a drizzling February day in 1555--second year of M

little frightened as well, stood good Father Carey. The priest wore his silk cassock, and his lips moved from time to time without sound, as though he were trying over a Latin oration--which, indeed, was the fact. At a more respectful distance were ranged Baldwin Moor, the steward, and a dozen servants; while still farther away lounged as many ragamuffins--landless men, who swarmed about every

ook funny up there. His nose was red, and his eyes were running, and his teeth chattering; and he did look funny. But as he felt the cold most his patience failed first.

s is no time for your fooling. Have a care how you

yes in a kind of ecstasy, as though he were knee to knee wi

I, laughing loud

different standpoints. Sir Anthony viewed with complacence, if not with pride, any connection with the powerful Bishop of Winchester, for the knight knew the world, and could appreciate the value it sets on success, and the blind eyes it has for spots if they do but speckle the risen sun. I could make no such allowance, but, with the pride of youth and famil

"Pottum!"

d, darting an angry glance first at me and then at his followers, "or I will warm that jacket of yours, lad! And you, Martin Luth

ing nimbly down from his post of vantage; "and a dozen of London

ut him, provoked to find at this critical moment smiles where there should have been looks of deference, and a ring round a fool where he had marshaled a procession. Unluckily, he chose to visit his displeasure upon me. "You won't behave, won't

eeing me thus at his mercy, the temptation proved too much for the knight. He forgot his love of seemliness and even that his visitors were at his elbo

ad pages stung a hundred times more sharply. I glared furiously round, and my eyes fell on one face--a face long remembered. It was that of a man who neither smiled nor laughed; a man whom I recognized immediately, not by his sleek hackney or his purple cassock, which a riding-coat partially concealed, or even by his jeweled hand, but by the keen glance of power

ised his hand to give the Benediction, and the more devout, or those with mended hose, fell on thei

clear and incisive amid the reverential silence which followed the Lati

r, apology in his tone; "and a willful boy at times. You know of

I wanted to get out of the way, and be out of the way; and made such haste that before the slowly moving cavalcade had traversed one-half of the interval between the road and the hous

ich had been placed over the doorways in honor of the occasion. I glanced up at a lattice in one of the gables--the window of Petronilla's little parlor. There was no face

High Mightiness, I muttered, and that angered me afresh.

shoulder, "well, have you seen enough of him yet, cousin? You w

om, Francis?" s

ed with the show that she did not look at me immediately. This of course kept

f course," I answered, laugh

h a complexion clear yet pale--a maiden all bending and gracefulness, yet with a great store of secret firmness, as I was to learn. "He seems as handsome an old ma

d angrily. "Who said an

all, and be comforted, while at the same time I shrank wi

lder which she often assumed with me, though she was really the younger by two years. "Why did you not wait for t

d out passionately; "and before them al

ehind her, cast a red stain on her dark hair and shapely head. She was silent, probably through pity or consternation; but

ust sprang out of the boards, and the hounds by the distant hearth jumped up and whined. "No! not for all the base bishops in England!"

ed abruptly, "you must

silenced, though instinc

rdiner at all! Dr. Stephens he used to call himself, I have heard. A child with no name but his godfather's; that is what

ued, her face glowing with indignation, "to threaten my father before my face! How dare you, sir? How dare you? And who are you, you p

s less of cardinals and bishops th

know that you are a kind of half-hearted P

father made me

g and seen nothing, should talk of the Queen's Chancellor! Go! Go on, you foolish boy, and rule a country, or cut off heads, and then you may t

w bay, her back to the light, her slender figure drawn to its full height, her hand extended toward me. I could scarcely unde

d my retreat. I had a fancy afterward that, as I moved away, Petronilla called to me. But at the time, what with the c

oment, for I was even then on the verge of a change so great that all the threats and misgivings, the fevers and agues, of that af

ture of shame and sullenness. I was sitting down with a scowl next the Bishop's pages--my place was beside them, half-way down the table, and I was not too car

undly. "Come here, Master Franci

aces all turned up to me. But the vision and the mistiness passed away, and left only my uncle's long, thin face inflamed with anger, and beside it, in the same ring of light, the watchful eyes and stern, impassive features of Stephen Gardiner. The Bishop's face and his eyes w

ve you to say for yourself? why have you so misbehaved this afternoon? Let your tongue s

d me. He laid his hand gently on Sir Anthony's sleeve, and interposed. "One moment," he said mildly, "your nephew did not sta

ir Anthony who did

forms, my lord, he conforms. You conform, sir," he contin

in with a sneer, "y

please my uncle,"

d not hear. "But you know all that, my lord--you know all that. It is an old story to you. So I make, a

as not to the holy office he objected, perhaps it was to the Queen's Chancellor, or to the Queen?" He raised his voice with the last words and bent his brows, so that I could scarcely believe it

was clear that he repented already of his ill-timed discipline

g the hall with so proud a menace in their glance that all quailed, even the fool. "That is very w

ueen's marriage with the Prince of Spain, which was the ground, as we gathered here, of Wyatt's rising with the Kentish folk, it seems a matter rather for t

young ge

nce. We have more to gain by fighting Spai

of such a thing? With all France, the rightful estate of her Majesty, waiting to

y this, "we have been fighting it, off and on, as long as men remember; and what are we the better? We have only lost what we had to begin. Besides, I am told that

at me with eyes of wonder. "Why, my father fought the French at Guinegate, and my grand

and all the seaports and all the gold and silver; and Spain after all is a nation with no greater strength of men than England. Ay, and I hear," I cr

tilla

undo di

it. We cannot conquer either Spain or France; we have not men enough. But we have docks and sailors, and ships in Lon

ny piteously. "Did man ever he

rt beat high and proudly with a new sense of power; the next, as a shadow of a cloud falls on a sunny hillside, the cold sneer on the statesman's face fell on me and

with each word he uttered;

e way; yet country lads do not talk o

more than once, "who stayed a while at a house not far from here, and had been Inspec

curt nod. "But enough, I underst

uddenly into thought, as a man well might who h

oked at Sir Anthony. "Ay, go!" he s

arkle was for me. Even the Chancellor's secretaries, grave, down-looking men, all secrecy and caution, cast curious glances at me, as though I were something out of the common; and the Chancellor's pages made way for me with new-born deference. "There is for country wits!" I heard Baldwin Moor cry gleefully, while the man who put food before me

ys. I was crossing the courtyard, one-half of which was bathed in a cold splendor of moonlight, and was feeling the first sobering touch of the night air on my

s it?"

d, a gleam of sly malice peeping through the gravity of his d

PTE

BISHOP'

r, and for this reason free from the damp air which in autumn and winter rose from the moat and hung about the lower range of rooms. It was besides, of easy access from the hall, a door in the gallery of the latter leading

w minutes before as follows a plunge into cold water. In the anteroom I was bidden to wait while the great man's will was taken, which seemed stran

iting busily. The great oaken bedstead, with its nodding tester, lay in a background of shadows, which played about the figures broidered on the hangings, or were lost in the darkness of the corners; while near the fire, in the light cast by the sconces fixed above the hearth, lay par

nod, ordered him to proceed. Then, signaling to me in a like silent fashion his co

s younger. His face, square and sallow, was indeed wrinkled and lined; his eyes lay deep in his head, his shoulders were beginning to bend, the nape of his neck to become prominent. He had lost an inch of his full height. But his ey

indeed, than I had ever seen together in my life. From this I passed to listening, idly at first, and with interest afterward, to the letter which the Chancellor was dictati

ill venture to take the step suggested as possible. Yet Clarence's report may be of moment. Let the house, therefore, be watched if anything savoring of flight be marked, and take noti

who she was, young or old, and what this step could be she was said to meditate, and what the jargon about the Pool and Dunquerque meant. I was still thinking of

rd me, a roll of papers in his hand. "Now," he said tranquilly, seating himself in an elbow

think that this country does not suit your health. You conform, but you conform with a bad grace, and England is no longer the place for such. You incite the commonalty against the Queen's allies, and England is not the place for such. Do not contradict me; I have heard you myself. Then," he

ds to enjoy my misery, resumed his subject. "That is one good and sufficient reason--mind you, sufficient, boy--why England is no place for you. For another, the Cluddes have always been soldiers; and you--though readier-witted than some, which comes of

a bishop burned at Gloucester! I hardened my heart. I would not be frightened, though I knew h

shmen--some Spanish, which I suppose your father or your uncle taught you. You can--so Father Carey says--construe a Latin sentence if it be not too difficult. You are scarcely twenty, and you will have me for your patron. Why, were I you, boy, with your age and your chances, I would die Prince or Pope! Ay, I would!" He stopped speaking, his eyes on fire. Nay, a ring of such real feeling fl

to me would tempt me were I a younger son, or without those ties of gratitude w

ve promised first and threatened later? You would fain, I expect, stay here and woo Mistress Petronilla? Do I touch you there? You think to marry the maid and be master o

ring on him, speechless wi

so I was; yet have I risen to be ruler of England, Master Cludde! But you--I will tell you which of us is base-born. I will tell you who and what your father, Ferdinand Cludde, was. He was, nay, he is, my tool, spy, j

eal or assumed. He dropped them as I sprang fo

r spoken to you of your father since the day seven years ago, when you came here, a child, brought by a servant? Has Sir Anthony talked of hi

d thought it strange myself. I had thought it strange, too, that the servants, who must well remember Ferdinand Cludde, never talked to me about him. Hitherto I had

was in the great Cardinal's confidence, and forsook him, when he fell, for Cromwell. Thomas Cromwell, although they were of the same persuasion, he betrayed to me. I have here, here"--and he struck the letters in his hand a scornful blow--"the offer he mad

d behind him, and closed in more nearly on us, leaving his pale grim face to confront me--his face, whic

light and blasted him. He asked, as the price of

stammered. "Why,

d, interrupting me with savage irony. "Oh, he was a Papist!

d so betrayed his own flesh and blood, should I be here? Should I be at Coton End? You

egan--it is his nature--to plot against him. He was found out, and execrated by all--for he had been false to all

never again take pleasure in one or the other. I was the son of a man branded as a turncoat and an informer, of one who was the worst of traitors! I sank down on the settle behind me and hid my face. Another might have thought less

might have fought it. On the contrary, there was so much which seemed mysterious in my past life, so much that bore out the Chancellor's accusation,

ur father's

d

ch at intervals of many months, sometimes of a year, came from him to Sir Anthony. I had never known anything of the contents of the letters, all that fell to my shar

except the red glow of the fire, which burned into my brain--seemed darkness! I had lost the thing I valued most. I had lost at a blow everything of which I was proud. The treachery that could flush tha

hile the Chancellor gazed at me a while in silence, as

ou may do. Think of Thomas Cromwell--his father was naught. Think of the old Cardinal--my master. Think of the Duke of Suffolk--Charles Brandon, I mean. He was a plain

have me do?" I w

trusty, and, in particular, unknown, who will keep me informed of events. If you will be that agent, I can procure for you--and not appear in the matter myself--a post of pay and

lone with my misery, but I for

rrow, my lord," I said, as steadily as I could;

e you a piece of advice which in the new life you begin to-night will avail you more than silver, more than gold--ay, more than steel, Master Francis. It is this

ir. Excited and feverish, I shrank with aversion from the confinement of my room, and, hurrying over the drawbridge, sought at random the long terrace by the fish-pools, on which the moonlight fell, a sheet of silver, broken only by the sundial and the shadows of the rose bushes. The night air, weeping chill from the forest, fanned my cheeks a

ong in ignorance--even against Sir Anthony--were my uppermost feelings. I smarted under the thought that I had been living on his charity. I remembered man

eeth the old shame. A third reason, too, worked powerfully with me as I became cooler. This was the conviction that, apart from the glitter which the old man's craft had cast about it, the part he would have me play was that of a sp

at, and I smiled sternly as I found necessity at one with inclination. I would leave Coton End at once,

r. The moonlight poured through the lattice and fell white on my pallet. I crossed the roo

there? As I took it up something soft and light brushed my hand and drooped from the hilt. Then I remembered. A week before I had begged Petronilla to make me a

h the old man who had been a second father to me had part. I would go as I had resolved, but I would retur

ong, and began to make my preparations; considering this or that route while I hunted for my dagger and changed my doublet

?" I asked, s

hind him. The fool did not speak, but turning his eye

" I gr

," he said, nodding

ink so?" I reto

rds to fly when the cuckoo b

t. "You have been listening," I s

well, it is better to be kicked by the boot you love than kissed by the li

There was a strange gleam in his eyes, and his teeth grinned in the moonlight. Thrice he drew his

s a ghastly pantomime, and it seemed

!" I cried--"No! Do y

ld hardly finish in comfort after that with him standing there, although when I

id's purpose, and could think of nothing until my eye lit on a house-martin's nest, lying where I had cast it on the window-sill. I had taken it down that morning because the droppings

ately to Mistress Petronilla. Privately, you understand. And say

TER

ITH PUR

pursuit, was, instead, to cross the forest in a northeasterly direction, and, passing by Warwick, to strike the great north road between Coventry and Daventry, which, running thence southeastward, would take me as straight as a bird might fly through Dunstable, St. Albans, and Barnet, to London. My bagga

en. As soon as I espied its battlemented church lying in a wooded bottom below me, I kept a more easterly course, and, leaving Henley-in-Arden far to the left, passed down toward Leek Wootton. The da

d frosty, found me stepping gayly southward, travel-stained indeed, but dry and whole. My spirits rose with the temperature. For a time I put the past behind me, and found amusement in the sights of the road; in the

re gone. So I felt no terrors on that account, and even when about noon I heard a horseman trot up behind me, and rein in his horse so as to keep pace with me at a walk, step for step--a thing which might have seemed

rom the sun, which stood just over h

master,"

have ripened into a swagger. His dress was plain; and he sat a good hackney as a miller's sack might have sat it. His face was the last thing I looked at. When I

sly look that he recognized me, and thought he had made a hap

n movement, but affecting an indifference which the spar

wered, gazing

?" he hazarded. He fidgeted uncomfortably und

s may be,"

, I am sure

lied, stepping forward to lay my hand on the horse's shoulder--but the man reined back and prevented

ntment at being recognized. "Well, master," he answe

eed not lie about it, man, for I can see you do. Now, loo

" he put in sulkily; "an

erstand one another. Do you

another step. "I have orders to look out for you, and have you stopped i

word and advanced upon him with a flourish. "We will soon decide this little matter," I added g

amely, retreat, and keep me in sight until some passers-by came up. He did give back, indeed, but it was against the bank. "Have a ca

untly. "Call and cause! Either you

pluttered, his face the color of

my point about his leg, half-minded to give him a

about in his saddle like a parched pea. "Yes, I say!" he r

I said quietly; "and

f, and was thinking that if I came through all my adventures as well, I should do merrily. Outwardly, however, I tried to ignore my victory, and to make things as

r he was too

take care of itself now. "Then so far we may go together. Only

end in the road bringing us to the first low, gray houses of Stratford; a long, straggling village it seemed, made up of inns strewn along the road, like beads threaded on a rosary. And to be sure, to complete th

it be? The Rose and Crown, or

he answered churlishl

less, for a shabby, hulking fellow lounging at my elbow overheard them and grinned; a hiccoughing, blear-eyed man he was as I had ever met, with a red nose and the rags of a tattered cassock

ing over it. I sat here a minute looking idly out at the inn opposite, a heavy stone building with a walled courtyard attached to it; such an inn as was common enough about the time of the Wars of the Roses when wayfarers looked rather for safety than comfort. Presently I saw a boy come out of it and start up the road at a run. Then, a minute later, the ragg

ad made homeless. I did not look on the class with much favor, thinking that for most of them the cloister, even if the Queen should succeed in setting the abbeys on t

ly, however. He came and pla

he repeated. "The ale

cheerfully, not pausing in my attack on

ted early. I am content. Landlord, another plate and a full

er to be angry or to l

the rascal, with a twinkle in his eye, as the landlor

the farmers by the fire broke. "A cup of ale is in reason, and fo

inches from mine. "More than that," he whispered hoarsely; and his eyes, peering into mine, were now sober and full of meaning. "If you do not want to be put in the stocks or worse, make tracks! Make tracks, lad!" he continued. "Your frien

r a serving-man's good faith. But lamentations were useless. What was I to do? I had no horse, and no means of getting one. I was in a strange country, and to try to escape on foot from pursuers who knew the roads, and had the law on their side, would be a h

e precious, took my courage in my hand--and my tankard. "Here," I cried,

pped in, and there were two peddlers lying half asleep in the corner. All these pricked up their ears more or less at my words. But, like most country folk

lord showed h

ath. "Purveyors, indeed! It is such

r!" quoth the

purveyors!" a f

wcester the night before. "The Queen should lie warm if she uses all the wool they took! And the pack-horses they purveyed to carry off the plunder--why, the packmen avoid Stratford ev

at his flitches. "It will be another ten years before they harry us again. There is Potter's Pury! They never too

h a world of gloomy insinuation

color. "What are you driving at, master?" he asked mildly,

rly afterward. "A purveyor, I mean, unless I am mistaken in him, or he tells lies. He has come straight from the Chancellor,

repeated the landlor

ess I am

is face swollen, his eyes bloodshot. "Then I will be as good as my word! Who will help? Shall we sit down and be shorn like sheep, as we were before, so that our children lay on the bare stones,

e room seemed twice as full as it was. Their oaths and cries of encouragement, not loud, but the more dangerous for that, the fresh burst of fury which rose as the village smith and another came in and learned the news, the

at its loudest I felt a chill run down my back as I met the monk's eye, and, reading in it whimsical admiration, read in

to me. But it is wonderful how keen the wits grow on the grindstone of necessity. With scarcely a second's hesitation I drew out my only piece of gold, and unnotice

up two

however, to consider the narrowness of my escape, a movement of the crowd--for the news had spread with strange swiftness, and t

the open window, hear as well as see what passed. The leading spirits had naturally struggle

toward the door, smiting his boot with his whip, and puffing out his red cheeks mightily. He felt brave

oice. "Make way!" he repeated, lightly touching the nearest man with his

lor a little. But the ale was still in him, and, forgetting his natural discretion, he thought to carry matters with a high hand. "Come! come!" he exclaimed angrily.

u are doing? Do you see this?" He whipped out from some pocket a short white staff and brandished it. "I come direct from the Lord Chancellor and upon his business, do you hear, and if you resist m

h Tom Miller, ey

e in an hour ago, and

the purveyor across the road,"

k-in-office, tripped up this way and shoved that, was struggling helplessly in the grasp o

l of the rights of the matter. Yet for an instant, as the crowd went reeling and fighting down the road, they prevailed; the constables managed to drag their leader free, and I caught a

he screamed shrilly. "Let me alone

ff was dashed another. He was thrown down and plucked up again, and hurried, bruised and struggling, t

eam. "They will kill him!" I exclaimed trembling,

"I will answer for it they will not kill him. Tom Miller is not a fool, though he is angry. H

e it

out of this county in twelve hours. Tethered to the gate over there is a good horse which belon

matter. But I had done so much already that I felt I might as well be hanged for a sheep as for a lamb. I was not su

ime, then," q

cked aside in the roadway lay the bundle of letters, soiled but not torn, and in the gutter was the staff. I stooped and picked up one and th

e bridle, and the monk's face appeared at my knee. "Well

saddle, you fool. You do not want that, give it me. Do you hear? Quick, give it me," he

at you may get the cloak. And then you will lay the lot on my shoul

t and distant. Each bound of the good hack carried me farther and farther from present danger, farther and farther from the old life. In the exhilaration and excitement of the

PTE

TERS OF

But the truth is, a man can only be at one place at a time. And though, in this very month of February, 1555, Prebendary Rogers--a good, kindly man, as I have heard, who had a wife and nine children--was burned in Smithfield in London for religion, and the Bishop of Gloucester suffered in his own c

rbican in London there was much stealthy going and coming on this February afternoon and evening. Behind locked doors, and in fear and trembling, mails were being packed and bags strapped, and fingers almost too delicate for the task were busy with nails and hammers, securing this and closing that. The packers knew nothing of me, nor I of them. Yet

pushed on briskly. I presently found time, however, to examine the packet of letters of which I had made spoil. On the outer wrapper I found there was no address, only an exhort

I. "I did wel

ce I muttered, "All is fair in love and war!" And at last, with curiosity fully awake, and a glance behind me to make sure that the act was unobserved, I broke the seal. The document proved to be as short and pithy as it was startling. It was an order commanding Sir Maurice Berkeley forthwith in the Queen's name, and

em with a red face, and a tongue that stuttered so feebly that I could scarcely return their greetings. When they had gone by I pulled out the warrant again, having it in my mind to tear it up without a moment's delay--to tear it into the smallest morsels, and so get rid of a thing most dangerous. But th

are, being directed simply to Mistress Clarence--there was no address. But over Gardi

s a woman's letter; the secret, her secret; and though my fingers itched as they hovered about the seals, my cheek tingled too. So at last, with a muttered, "What would Petronilla say?

to let no one outsrip me, the news of the riot at Stratford might have arrived, did not tend to give me assurance. I poked my head timidly into the great room, hoping that I might have it to myself. To my disgust it was full of people. Half-a-dozen travelers and as many townsfolk were sitting round the fire, talking briskly over their e

ed them so regularly, that I wondered who he was; and presently, listening to the conversation which went on round me, I had my curiosity satisfied. He was no less a personage than the Bailiff of St.

r ways heavy for others' toes. For a while, however, seeing my supper come in, I forgot him. The bare-armed girl who brought it to me, and in whom my draggled condition seemed to provoke feelings of a different nature, lugged up a round table to the fire. On this she laid my meal, not scrupling to set aside some of the snug dry townsfolk. Then she set a chair for me well in th

at me, sending off the wench with a flea in her ear; and I felt under his eye an uncomfortable consciousness that my purse was empty. Two or three late arrivals, to whom I suppose Maste

om last, young man?" He spoke in a deep choky voice, and, if I was not mistaken, he winked on

such a journey over a middling road was something to brag of before the Highway Law came in, almost overcame me.

dder. "Come, young man, did you hear me sp

ing to him as if I had not heard him

himself into a still more striking likeness to King Henry, and including him in his scowl shou

ed might mean to be hanged at worst, and something very unpleasant at best. So I controlled myself, and answered--though th

th a sneer and a wi

so," I answe

gar triumph. "I don't. It is my opin

n with m

for sympathy. "You will have to give an account of yourself, young man. We w

ered. But it was wonderful how my spirits sank a

r to command attention for his next ques

re you?" At which words of mine there was a kind of stir. "You would burn me as I hear they bur

ated. "If it be not here, then somewhere else! It is my opinion that you have come from London, and that you have been in trouble. There is a hue-and-cry out for a young fellow just your age, and a cock of your hackle, I judge, who is wanted for heresy. A Londoner too. You do not leave here until you have given an account of yourself, Master Jack-a-Dandy!"

t a man finish his supper

ill warm you!" c

ey warm people in

eked the Bailiff, almost beside himself

you speak evil of dignitaries, or

thed under th

nsible! If this person leaves your house, and is n

especially at St. Albans. And I was muddy and travel-stained, and quick of my tongue for o

e----" and I touched my pocket, which happened to be near my s

awler here, have we! A young swashbuckler! His tongue will not run so fast when he finds his

y to another. I solemnly drew out the white staff I had taken from the apparitor. "Look here!" I continued, waving it. "Do you see this, you booby? I am traveling in the Queen's name, and on her service. By special commission, too, from the Chancellor! Is that plain speaking enough for you? An

eemed unable to move toe or finger. The rest enjoyed the scene, as people will enjoy a marvelous sudden stroke of fortune. It was as good as a stage pageant to them. They could not take their eyes from the pocket in which I had replaced m

I was on my way upstairs to bed, the landlord preceding me wit

aid, speaking in a muffled voice behind

ternly at him. I was tired and sleepy after my m

." Then, with a skillful hand, which seemed not unused to the task, he slid two coins into my palm. I looked at them, for a moment not perceiving his drift. Then I found they were two gold angels, and I began to understand. "Ahem!" I said, f

is it, my dear sir! You see perfectly how it is.

od friend, take one of these for yourself," I added, magnificently giving him back half my

ng in my head, and I was in the landlord's best room--easy enough to conquer, provided one possessed a white staff. The fact that I had no right to mine only added--be it remembered I was young and

ndow, I remembered the place in which I had gone to bed, and I sat up and listened. Some one--nay, several people--were drumming and kicking against the wooden doors of the inn-yard, and shouting besides, loud e

that rose above the ring of bridles and the stamping of iron hoofs, "open

atient voice without was Master Pritchard's, and it rang with all the vengeful passion which I should have expected that gentleman, duped, ducked, and robbed, to be feeling. There would be little mercy to be had at his hands. Moreover, my ears, grown as ke

tayed an instant to thrust it into my pocket. The Cluddes have, I fancy, a knack o

ndlord come out muttering, and go downstairs to open the door. Instantly I unlatched mine, slipped through it stealthily, sneaked a step or two down the passage, and then came plump in the dark against some on

I saw that my companion was the serving-maid. "Hist!" sh

odd

nnot pass them. They are a dozen or more, and armed. Quick! knot this about the

ng the wall to the right until you come to a haystack. Turn to the left there--you will have to ford the water--and you will soon be clear of the town. Look about you then, and you will see a h

the dark sky, and driving scud without to peer gra

u for a bonny bo

ng the remembrance of which is very pleasan

y to indicate by a low whistle that I was safe, I turned and sped away as fast as I could run in the direction which she had pointed out. There was no one

I made good way, warmed by the thought that I had again baffled the great Bishop. It was only when the day had come, and grown on to noon, and I saw no sign of any pursuers, that thought got the upper hand. Then I began to compare, with some bitterness of feeling, my present condition--wet, dirty, and homeless--with that which I had enjoyed only a week before; and it needed all my courage to support me. Skulking, half famished, between Barnet and Tottenham, oft

r at the gate and be captured. Chilled and bedraggled as I was, and weak through want of food which I dared not go out to beg, the terrors of capture got hold of my mind and presented to me one by one every horrible form of humiliation, the stocks, the pill

esire to learn whether the old dame might not be going to milk it in a corner of the pasture, in which case I might still get an after taste, I crawled so far out of my hole that, turning suddenly, she caught sight of me. I expected to see her hurry off, but she did not. She took a long look, and then came back tow

ad tasted food, and I had come twenty-four miles in the

ishop Bonner having clapped his father into jail until the son should come to hand. But her kind heart knew no distinction of creeds. She took me to her cottage as soon as night fell, and warmed, and dried, and fed me. She did not dare to keep me u

never forgotten it. I have tried to keep it always in mind; remembering too a saying of my unc

PTE

ESS B

poor! Pray for the dead! Fiv

place behind some boards which stood propped against the wall of a baker's oven in a street near Moorgate. The wall was warm and smelt of new bread, and another besides myself had discovered its advantages. This was the watchman, who had slumbered away mo

hat was I going to do next? How was I going to live or to rear the new house of which I have made mention? Hitherto I had aimed simply at reaching London. London had paraded itself before my mind--though my mind should have known better--not as a town of cold streets and dreary alleys and shops open from seven to fou

reality left to me I felt myself astray. If I would stay at home, who was going to employ me? To whom should I apply? What patron had I? Or if I

ld go up to London, and get across the water--such had been my dim notion--to the Courtenays and Killigrews, who, with other refugees, Protestants for the most part, were lying on the French

my hand and listen. Whoever they were--and I wondered, for it was still early, and I had heard no one pass since the watchman left me--they came to a stand in front of my shelter, and one of them spoke. Her words made me start; unmistakably the voice was a gentlewoman's,

leaning against them. I caught every accent of what seemed to be the answer to a question. "Yes, yes! It is

t of breath. "Then perhaps we have thrown him off the trail," she continued, after a short pause, in which she seemed to have somewhat recovered herself. "I distrusted him from the first, Anne--from the first. Yet, do you know,

nce?" asked she wh

But I did not mean

u remember, that it was a foo

took no pains to conceal it--"we are not beaten yet. Come, look about! Cannot you remembe

th the

fore we had gone far. The more need, girl, to lose no time. I have my breath again, and the

s if in doubt. "Did we come by the church? No; we

me, come! you loiter," continued this, the more masculine speaker, "and a minute may make all the difference between a prison and freedom. If we

cut short my reverie. I crawled with all speed from my shelter, and stood up, being still in a line with the boards, and not easily distinguishable. As she had said, it was a dark morning; but the roofs of the houses--now high, now low--could be plainly discerned against a gray, drifting sky wherein th

t-fisted, expecting to be called upon to defend the women. But, despite the cry I had heard, they were talking

ith his bonnet. She waved her hand in dismissal, and he stood back

moment they had passed it, he followed. His stealthy manner of going, and his fashion of peering after them, was enough for me. I guessed at once that he was dogging them, following them unknown to them and against their will; and with con

kerchief or something attached apparently to the back of the one's cloak, which considerably assisted my stealthy friend to keep them in view. It puzzled me. Was it a signal to him? Was he really all the time acting in concert with them; and was I throwing away my pains? Or was the white object which so

up and down, and hung a minute on his heel before he followed the women, as if expecting or looking for some one. It might be that he was trying to make certain that the watch were not in sight.

ran and had caught him as neatly as could be. When I came upon them the taller woman was standing at bay with a passion that was almost fury in her pose and gesture. Her face, from which the hood of a coarse cloak had f

ve!" she hisse

le of paces, and in rec

do you want? What would you do? You h

uld deal a blow, a woman who could both love and hate fiercely and openly--as proud and frank and h

t from whom, sirrah? Whose orders are to supersede mine? I would King Harry were al

ok his

eble the amount within a few weeks, and I will thank you on my knees, and my husband shall be such a friend to you as you have never dreamed of, if you will only go home and be silent. Only that--or, better still, walk the streets an hour, and then report that you lost sight of us. Think, man, think!" she cried with energy

was telling the truth, and that it was not the man's stubborn nature only that withstood t

k came more naturally to her, broke out afresh. "You will not, yo

wered doggedly; "

her because they did not see me, or because, seeing me, they thought that I was a hanger-on of the man before them. And he, having his back to me, and his eyes

an started back and the younger uttered a cry of alarm at my sudden appearance. "Well, you will not obey

g to his girdle in a suspicious way. "Stop that!" I said, flashing before his eyes a short, broad blade, which had cut many a deer's throat in Old Arde

ng which she had stared at me in open astoni

I followed him. For the last five minutes I have been listening to your talk. He was

im before failing her now, possibly in sheer astonishment, or because my appearance at her side, by re

"you are going to th

ud. "Oh, you fool!" she repeated bi

w at once, for the man in my grasp gave a start, which proved that the information was not lost upon him. "Who told you?" the woman

mistake, but it is easy to remedy it." And I too

flung himself on me, then tried by a sudden jerk to free himself. In a moment we were down on the stones, and tumbling over one another in the dirt, while he struggled to reach his knife, which was still in his girdle, and I strove to prevent him. The figh

ond I expected the court to be invaded,

ittle, and he was moaning piteously. "Who are you?" t

ed. "Do you go! Go, while you ca

t go and leave him at your mercy.

with my dagger-hilt. Listen and be silent. I shall go with these ladies, and I promise you this: If they are stopped or hindered on their way, or if evil happen to them at that wharf, whose name you had

n while I pretended to trust him, that he would betray us. My real hope lay in his fears, and in this, that as the fugitives knew the way to the wharf, and it could not now be far distant, we might reach it,

ir cloaks and hoods were plainly fashioned, and of coarse stuff, their shoes were thick, and no jewel or scrap of lace, peeping out, betrayed them. Yet there was something in their carriage which could not be hidden, somethin

ght had arrived such a thick, choking, yellow fog as I, being for the most part country-bred, had never experienced. It was so dense and blinding that we had a difficulty in keeping together, and even hand in hand could scarcely see one another. In my wonder how my companions found their way, I presently f

as, she drew away

now." And she strained the child closer to her, as

nswered, "let your friend carry it fo

a foot from mine. The scrutiny seemed to satisfy her. She drew a long breath a

gently as I could. "You shall not repe

am," s

epeated. "Now let us ge

us, was a strange, pale line of shimmering light, which they told me was the water. At first I could hardly believe this. But, pausing a moment while my companions whispered together, dull

ible that we may be intercepted at this point, and if that happen, it will be bad for me and worse for any one aiding me. You have done us gallant service, but you are young; and I

" she said, with more feeling. "We thank you. Some d

at I would desert you now? I gave you back the child only because it might

n it?" s

tling my cap on my head with perh

dged her--I know not exactly why--to be a woman not over prone to think of others. "Do not be reckless," she

my head already. I should be reckless if I stayed here. If you wil

ried her and her companion down to the water, traversing a stretch of foreshore strewn with piles of wood and stacks of barrels and old rotting boats, between which the mud lay deep. Fortunately it was high tide, an

s quiet. My spirits rose as I looked round. "Is this the Whelp?" the tall lady

saluting her and speaking formally, and with a fo

tell the captain that I desire to sail immediate

sly, looking steadily into the fog, which hid the river

l your captain what I say. And let d

and canvas, the whir of wings and shrieks of unseen gulls, the distant hail of boatmen. A bell in the city solemnly tolled eight. The younger woman shivered. The elder's foot tapped impatie

PTE

R CLA

ver the bulwarks. A rope ladder came hurtling down at our feet, and a man, nimbly descending, held it tight at the bottom. "Now, madame!" he said briskly. They all, I noticed, had the same forei

foot of the ladder and looking up as if afraid, until her companion chid her sharply. Then she too went up, but as she pas

re regular, but, the full red lips excepted, rather thin than shapely. The nose, too, was prominent. But the eyes! The eyes seemed to glorify the dark brilliant thinness of the face, and to print it upon the memory. They were dark flashing eyes, and their smile seemed to me perpetually to challenge

ked fore and aft only, the blackness of the hold gaping amidships, spanned by a narrow gangway, which served to connect the two decks. We found ourselves in the forepart,

im and his crew lay in a marlin-spike which he wore slung to a thong beside his knife. When I reached the deck he was telling a long st

nion, chafing at his slowness of spe

than ever. "Yes, it would be dangerous. And to put to sea in a

other arrangements for it. Two or three things I know came on bo

ly round in a knothole. "Impossible," he repeated; "it would not be seamanship to start in a fog. When the fog lifts we

Le

is it,

go from Leigh?" she

mistress," he continued, in a tone of rough patronage,

t Master Bertram engage you to bring me across whenever I might

ant unmoved. "Using seamanship, and not

e!" she retorted. "An

n. Then he looked at his questioner with a broad smile. "Well, mistress, for a very good reason. It is there

sped the child more tightly to her. "He is at Leigh!" she murmured, flushing and trembling, ano

ious roll of the head. "He is there safe enough! Safe enough, you may

arted up. "No, no!" she cried, struggling for breath and utterance. "Oh, no! no! Let us go at once. We must start at once!" Her voice was hysterical in its sudden anxiety and terror, as the consciousness

ise at a groat; she was but a woman. And being a foreigner, he did not perceive a certain air of breeding which might have influenced a native. He was one of those men against whose stupidity Father Carey used to

at any moment, out of the fog which encircled us so closely that we could barely see the raft below--and the shore not at all--might come the tramp of hurrying feet and the ster

n herself, would burst into a passion of rage or tears.

to appear at any moment, vengeful and exultant, with a posse at his back. Yet I tried hard to think; and the fog presently suggested a possible course. "Look

lease," he answer

companions with as much carelessness as I

a fever until we were clear of the Whelp and the Lion Wharf. It had struck me that, if the ship were not to leave at once, we were nowhere in so much danger as on board. At large in the fog we might escape detection for a time. Our pursuers might as well

hanked me prettily. It was almost with good cheer in my voice and a rebound of spir

hed from sight before we had gone half a dozen paces. I had never seen a London fog before, and to me it seemed portentou

have noticed their approach if the foremost had not by chance tripped and fallen; whereupon one laughed and another swore. With a warning hand I grasped my companions' arms, and hurried them forward some paces until I felt sure that our figures could not be seen thro

no noise. What I want is a little this way. I

She tried to save herself, but failed and fell heavily, uttering as she did so a loud cry. I sprang to her assistance, and even bef

ort to rise, "my ankle! my ankl

tram, stooping anxiously, examined the i

one among them familiar with the girl's voice, we might be pounced upon, fog or no fog. I felt that it was no time for ceremony, an

indly, through mud and over obstacles. The wherry for which I was making was moored in the water a few feet from the edge. I had remarked it idly and without purpose as we came down to the whar

uer caught sight of us. I heard his shout of triumph, and somehow I bundled my burden into the boat--I remember that she clung about my neck in fear, and I had to loosen her hands roughly. But I did loosen them--in time. With one stroke of my hunting-knife, I severed the r

spinning through the mist, every stroke I pulled increasing the distance between us and our now unseen foes. Happily we were below London Bridge, and had not that dangerous passage to make. The river, too, was nearly clear of craft, and though once and

n watching me, their heads together, their faces pale. The mist had closed round us, and we were alone again, gliding over the bosom of the great river that runs down to the sea. I was oddly struck by t

r clothes, fell below such a condition; but probably they were worn as a disguise. Their speech rose as much above it, but I knew that of late many merchant's wives had beco

d cast at my feet was the very wreck of a cloak. Yet I read no distrust in their looks. The elder's brave eyes seemed ever thanking me. I never saw her lips move silently that they

on our right hand. Here and there on its surface a small boat such as our own moved to and fro, and in the distant Pool from which we had come rose a little forest of masts. I hung on the oars a moment, and my eyes were drawn to a two-maste

ear we must go on to Leigh, if it be any way possible. You are tired, and no

t as I could down the stream. No doubt my face, too, proclaimed my disco

hrowing aside disguise was in hot pursuit of us. There were three men on board, two rowing and one steering. When they saw that we had discovered them they hailed us in a loud voice, and I heard

gave up at once for that. They were still some sixty yards behind, and for a few minutes at any rate I might put off capture. In th

ard only the measured rattle of the oars in the rowlocks. A minute, two minutes, three minutes passed. They had not gained on us, but the water was beginning to waver before my eyes, their boat seemed floating in the air, there was a pulsation in my ears louder tha

en and gained the stern sheets of the boat. As I passed Mistress Bertram she clutched my arm. Her eyes, as they met mine, flashe

of any. I saw only the pale blue sky overhead, and the stream flowing swiftly under the boat. I drew my sword. The case was one rather for de

who had hitherto been steering, flung a curse at the others and came forward to bear the brunt of the encounter. He was a tall, sinewy man, past middle age, wit

harshly. "In the Queen's name--do yo

at aside his sword, I would spring upon him and drive the knife home with that hand. So, standing erect in bow and stern we faced one

Another second, and away with thought! He was crouching for a spring. I drew back a little, then lunged--lunged with heart and hand. Our swords crossed and whistled--just crossed--and even as I saw his eyes gleam behind his point, the shock of the two boats coming toge

saw one moment a dark shadow above me, and the next a sheet of flame shone before my eyes, and a tremendous

TER

THE "FRAM

se, as I recovered my senses. My brain seemed to be a cavern into which each moment, with a rhythmical regularity which added the pangs of anticipation to those of reality, the sea rushed, booming and thundering, jarring every nerve and s

The light swayed to and fro regularly; and this adding to my pain, I closed my eyes with a moan. Then some one came to me, and I heard voices which sounded a

ng against her forefoot. The beams so close to my face formed the deck, the smoky light came from the ship's lantern swinging on a hook. I tried to turn. Some one

all that had happened since I left home. But as I grew stronger I grew clearer, and recalling bit by bit what had happened in the boat, I recognized Mistress Anne. I tried

t moving could see the whole of the tiny cabin. The lantern still hung and smoked. But the light was steady now, and I heard no splashing without, nor the dull groan

ious figure left me in no doubt, even for a moment, that I looked on Mistress Bertram. The sharer of her seat was a tall, thin man with a thoughtful face and dreamy, rather melancholy eyes. One of her hands rested on

hand to it, that it was bandaged. My mind was so far clear that I remembered Master Clarence and his pursuit and the fight in the boats, and knew that we ought to

e to direct the other to attend to me. Yet was she herself the first to rise, and come and lay her hand on my brow. "Ah! the fever is gone!" she said, speak

osed my eyes again with a sigh. Nevertheless, my memory of the events which had gone before my illness grew clearer, and

t a never-die it is! There, Master Knight Errant, w

I saw that there was no question of a prison.

ot up? No? Well, it was a cowardly stroke, but it stood him in little stead, for we had drifted, in the excitement of the race, under the stern of the ship which you remember seeing a little before. Ther

murmured

lingham, and he did so. More, putting into Leigh on his way to the Nore, he too

re almost too tender for a man's--"my wife would be now lying in prison, her life in jeopardy, and her property as good as gone. She has told me how bravely you rescued her from that cur in Cheapside, and how your presence of mind baffled

ght the tears to my eyes. "She has

roken in my defense. It was a great thing, was it not, that I did not leave you to die in the boat? There,

pleaded. "Tell me w

e of you, and send you back if you will, or you shall still come with us; as you please. Be cont

laid a fresh cool bandage on my head. I was too weak to speak my gratitude, but I tried to look it and so fell aslee

st of turmoil. The scampering of feet over the deck above me, the creaking of the windlass, the bumping and clattering of barrels hoisted in o

I do? This fear in my sick state was so terrible that I struggled to get up, and with reeling brain and nerveless hands did get out of my berth. But this feat accomplished I found that I could not stand. Everything swam before my eyes. I could not take a sing

me to the chest. I sat down on it, the certainty of my helplessness and the sudden relief of her presence bringing

ne and left me," I muttere

rse you did not. There, take some more of this. After all, it is wel

other

branch of the Rhine, to Arnheim. But the boat is here, close to

u will give me your arm,

again," she replied, "th

"I will trus

ng to an end. She bustled about to wrap me up, and somehow, partly walking, partly carried, I was got on deck. There I sat down on a bale to r

ssessing, by virtue of the lines of leafless elms which bordered it, a quaint air of rusticity in the midst of bustle. The sober bearing of the sturdy landsmen, going quietly about their business, accorded well with the substantial comfort of the rows of tall, steep-roofed houses I saw beyond the quay, and se

"You understand that if you would prefer to go home I can secure your tendance here by good, kindly people, and provide for your pas

ight of those three faces which I had known for so short a time, yet which alone stood between myself and

you to fresh dangers. We are refugees from England; that you probably guess. Our plan was to go to France, where are many of our friends, and where we could live safely until better times. You know how that plan was frustrated. Here the Spaniards are masters--Prince Philip's people; and if we are recognized, we shall be arrested and sent back to England.

s, Mistress Bertram also came up, and I took her hand in mine--which looked, by the way, so strangely t

ling you now that I am glad of it. And if ever we return to England, as God g

responded, smiling at her enthusiasm, "

ch of her actions as I had seen, stamped her as singularly self-reliant and independent for a woman; and to these qualities, as much as to the rather dreamy character of the husba

ransported me, under Mistress Anne's directions, to a queer-looking wide-beamed boat which lay almost alongside. She was more like a huge Thames barge than anything else, for she drew little water, but had a great expa

ught made scarcely more impression on my mind than the sleep. Yet all the while I was gaining strength rapidly, my youth and health standing me in good stead. The wound in my head, which had caused great loss of blood, healed all one way, as we say in

*

way on either side of the horizon, dotted, here and there only, by a windmill, a farmhouse, the steeple of a church, the brown sails of a ba

ward, came to me. He noticed the wondering looks I

I never imagined anything so flat

t know Lin

N

can talk again. Now I and my wife have been discussing whether we shall tell you more about ours

t all," Mistress Ber

red my

Lincolnshire, at your service. My wife is something more than appears from

ave the honor to present to you, young gentleman," she went on, laughing merri

til we go back to England. Here and for the future we are Master Bertram and his wife. And this young lady, my distant kinswoman, An

st wife having been Mary, Princess of England and Queen Dowager of France. Late in his splendid and prosperous career the Duke had married Katherine, the heiress of Lord Willoughby de Eresby, and she it was who stood before me, still young and handsome. After her husband's death she h

I am a Protestant, and I have an enemy. When I do

my dear," he a

ishop Gardiner. What! Do y

e seen him." I was thinking how wonderful this was. These people had been utter strangers to me until a day or two before, yet now we

te. We learned that it was his purpose to arrest me, and determined to leave England. But our very household was full of spies, and though we chose a time when Clarence, our steward, whom we had long suspected of b

e, so gay, so bright, so indomitable, that in herself she was at once a warranty and an omen of better times. The breeze had he

d their attention, and when I pulled out a packet--two packets--there were three pairs of eyes upon me. The seal dangled from one missive.

to make a small sensation.

From this time forth I am Mistress Bertram, remember. But come," she went

r eyes grew hard. Master Bertie's face changed with hers, and they both peeped suddenly at me over the edge of the parchment, suspicion and hostil

t at Stony Stratford, and how I had become possessed of his credentials. They laughed of course--indeed they laughed so loudly that the placid Dutchmen, stan

t?" the Duchess asked present

some reluctance. "It seems to be a l

hand she was extending. "What! Here is our frie

N

s us, I will bet a penny. Let us see at once what it contains. Clare

letter was a communication to some spy, probably to Clarence himself under cover of a feminine address. Perhaps it wa

acy; "pardon me if I do not obey you--if I do not let this be opened. It may be what you s

ss Anne. Would she sympathize with my feelings? I found that she had turned her back on us, and was gazing over the side. "Do you

ur Grace's lea

d pettishly, a red spot in each cheek. "When people will not do w

look up, lest my heart should fai

fed. Then with a toss of her head she went

to say something which should gain for me her sympathy, perhaps her advice. But the words died on my lips, for as I approached she turned her face

of the kind. I am not well. It is the water. But it will pass off, if you

e been!" I said. "You have watched by me night after night, and nursed me day after

answered faintly. "But it is chiefly the water. I shall be better pr

"Will you not lie down on the rugs awhi

exed her by my importunity, I desisted. "The le

o tell the truth, the strength of m

d of scorn. "The Duchess will ask you again, a

y that she was ill and excited, and I fancied it was best to humor her. "Well, perhaps I shall," I said soothing

r?" She laid her hand on her bosom as though to still some secret pain. I looked at her

not willingly hurt

re of the hand not to follow, walked slowly away. I watched her cross the deck and pass through the doorway into the deck-house

TER

SE OF

ared that I had seriously offended her; so that it was with no very pleasant anticipations that, going into that part of the deck-house which served us for a common room, to see if the evening meal was set, I found onl

en all is said and done, I like you the better, Sir Knight Errant, for your scruples. I see that you are determined to act up to your name. But th

f the shame which had driven me from home. But the question, "What are we to call you?" revived the smart, and revived it with an added pang. It had been very well, in theory, to proudly discard my old name. It was painful, in practice, to be unable to answer the Duch

ting what I should reply. "Come!" she said good-naturedly, tryin

rriedly. "I have no name, or at any rate no name that I can be

e, pausing with his knife suspended in

I am a new man. Yet do not fear!" I added quickly, as I saw what I took to be a cl

ers, we have nought but new men nowadays. So, cheer up!" she continued kindly. "And we will poke no questions at you, though I doubt whether you do not possess more birth and breeding than you would have us thi

over quickly," quoth

this small diversion I had time to regain my composure. But the matter left me s

e. "Believe me, I am not ungrateful, Master Francis, and I will diligently seek occasion to repay both your gallant defense of the other day and your future service." She g

rdially grasped my hand. And so under the oil-lamp in the neat cabin of that old Dutch boat, somewhere on the

at I was sitting in the hall at Coton, and that Petronilla was standing on the dais looking fixedly at me with gentle, sorrowful eyes. I wanted to go to her, but I could not move; every dreamer knows the sensation. I tried to c

o the breast of my doublet the knot of blue velvet which she had made for my sword-hilt, and which I had ever since carried in my bosom. More, I s

ience, dreaming, being of the strange hand working at my breast. My first waking idea was the same, so that I threw out my arms, and cried aloud, and sat up

hanging lamp, which smoked and burned redly overhead. Yet I could see it. It was real, substantial--a waking fig

u were," she continued, advancing a little, "and whether you were sleeping. I am afraid I awoke yo

t remember doing so), my doublet and shirt were open at the breast. The velvet knot was safe, however, in that tiny inner pocket beside the letter, and I breathed again. "I am ver

n me. "Much better. Now go to sleep again, and happier dreams to you. After to-night," sh

ull of kindly feelings toward her, and of thankfulness that my horrible vision had no fou

ied its reputation. There was a brightness, a softness in the air, and a consequent feeling as of spring which would better have befitted the middle of April. All day we remained on deck enjoying the kindliness of nature, which was especially grateful to me, in whom the sap of health was beg

d, facing the river's course, stood a low white house, before which a sloping green terrace, also bordered with poplars, led down to a tiny pier. Behind and around the house were meadows as trim and neat as a child's toys, over which the eye roved with pleasure until it reached the landward side of the island, and there detected, nestling among gardens, a tiny village of half a dozen cottages. It was a scene of enchanting pea

scene which had so moved me, but the expression of her face was sad and bitter and utterly melancholy. The weariness and fatigue I had often seen lurking in her eyes had invaded all her features.

I thought. "She, too, is homesick. No doubt this reminds her of some place at home, or of some person." I thought this the more likely, as Master Bertie came from Lin

, had the air of a man of position. He greeted us warmly. His companion, who hung behind him, somewhat shyly, was as pretty a girl as one could find in a month. A second look assured me of something more--that she formed an excellent foil to the piquant brightness and keen vivacity, the dark hair and nervous features of Mistress Anne. For

d visited England and spoke English fairly, and being under some ob

aughter and Mistress Anne came next, gazing each at each in silence, as women when they first meet will gaze, ta

explained. "She speaks no English," sa

in Holland I am afraid that she will have so

h! I kn

I do, a

ity, and it flattered me, boy that I was. I dare say it would have flattered many an o

ho

e still more closely. "Where is your hom

d. "I mean," I explained awkwardly, "that I learned it in a hom

appeared a fine show of silver plate. At the other end stood a tall linen-press of walnut-wood, handsomely carved; and even the gratings of the windows and the handles of the doors were of hammered iron-work. There were no rushes on the floor, which was made of small pieces of wood delicat

noblest accent. "Beso los pies

ifferent kind. She started and drew back, an expression of offended dignity and of something like anger ruffling her placid

I could--for it looked little grateful of us to stand there speechless and staring--w

mphna's face, which still betrayed trouble of some kind, "except that I pa

I translated what we had said into English for Mistress Anne, and Mistress Dymphna turn

ter Bertie, observing t

though, as he spoke, his eyes dwelt on me curiously. "It is onl

. This," pointing to me, "is our very good friend a

chess, smiling gravely,

tch which caused Mistress Dymphna to blush. "You know," he continued--"I may speak freely to you, since our enemies are in the main the same--you know that our Spanish rulers are not very popul

our country may never be in the same plight: though it looks as if this Spanish marr

o large, he knows little of us. And worse, he is dying, or as good as dying. He can scarcely sit his horse, and rumor says that before the year is out he will resign the

e it," Master Berti

and speak gravely, and Dymphna would lose her color for an hour or two. Things were going badly. The reformers were being more and more hardly dealt with. The Spaniards were growing more despotic. That was his constant report. And then I would see him, as he walked with us in orchard or garden, or sat beside the stove,

deep religious feeling, which either did not at that time exist in England, or existed only among people with whom I had never come into contact. Here they seemed common enough and real enough. These folks' faith sustained them. It was a part of their liv

stions, and, while clinging instinctively to the teaching of my childhood, had conformed with a light heart rather than annoy my uncle, I came to think somewhat differently now; differently and more seriously.

elm on a little spit of grass looking toward the city, and at some distance from the house. Here, when the weather was warm, she would watch for her father's return; and here one day, while talkin

, mustachioed men, who in the hundred poses they assumed, as they lounged on deck or leaned over the side, never lost a peculiar air of bravado. As they drew nearer to us the sound of their loud voices, their oaths and laughter reached us plainly, and seemed to jar on the evening stillness. Their bold, fierce eyes, raking the banks unceasingly, reached us at last. The girl by my side uttered a cry

I muttered. "The

tation was at its height. Their fathers had overcome the Moors after a contest of centuries, and they themselves had overrun Italy and lowered the pride of France. As a result they had many military virtues and all the military vices. Prou

ts they were few against many, a conquering race in a foreign land. They could boast of blood and descent. They were proud to call them

winter. I pictured the dark, frowning walls of Toledo, with its hundred Moorish trophies, the castles that crowned the hills around, the gray olive groves, and the box-clad slopes. I saw Palencia, where my grandmother, Petronilla de Vargas, was born; Palencia, dry and brown and sun-baked, lying squat and low on its pla

PTE

G WITH

e was thin and meager, and he had a pointed nose and chin, and a scanty fair beard. I took him to be nearsighted: at a second glance I saw that he was angry. He was talking fast to Dymphna--of course in Dutch--and my first impulse

she had clean forgotten my presence. "This is Master Jan Van Tree, a good friend of ours. And this,

disliked one another at sight, I think. I dubbed him a mean little fellow, a trader, a peddler; and, however he classed me, it was not favorably

bluntly, meeti

he cause?" I asked,

have been more careful. She should not have exposed herself

s--in the boat

but he glared at me across her as he spoke. We had turned and were wal

chin very high. "But there is no particula

eat excitement. "But perhaps also you are not very far-

his seemingly candid admission by something very b

It always vexes him to hear that I have fallen in their way, and that is why my friend feels annoyed. It was not, of course, your fault, since yo

ng one another much as a wolf-hound and a badger-dog might regard each other across a choice bone. But the young Dutchman's sudden appearance had put me out. I was not in love with her, yet I liked to talk to

f them, then?" Van Tr

I answered, my l

g. "Perhaps you do not

ied. "Still, my grand

e thought," he r

lting before him, with my cheek crimson. In vain were all Dymphna's appealing glances, all her signs

me we should have thought him a comical little figure; but he did not seem so absurd here. For one thing, he looked spiteful enough for anything; and for another, though I topped him by a head and sho

some retort which should provoke him beyond endurance, when a hand was laid on m

which he had come up, though he must have discerned in our defiant attitudes, and in Dymphna's troubled face, that something was wrong. "You know

nce, while at heart sore and angry with everybody. "But I fear the Dutch gentleman has

you mean?" cried the D

, ma

the others. "This boy is full of starts and surprises. You never know what he will pr

, to join in the laugh at my expense, and took advantage of the arrival of our host--who at this moment came up the slope from the landing-place, his hands out

tchman had had the best of the bout in the garden; and I talked loudly and foolishly in the boyish attempt to assert myself, and to set myself right at least in my own estimation. Master Van Tree meanwhile sat silent, eying me from time to

e her sentences so as to cause as much embarrassment as possible to all of us. "Where did you walk with Dymphna this morning?" was the question put to me. "You are fond of the water; Englishmen are fond of the water," she said to Dymphna. "Dymphna is tall; Master Francis is tall. I sit by you to-night; the Dutch lady sat by

nt. Mistress Anne in her innocence saw nothing. She went on until Van Tree could stand it no longer, and with a half-smothered t

gly, in English. Her eyes seemed at length to be o

ame behind her. "You little fool!" she whispered fie

ured the girl, really frighte

neighbor winced. "More harm than you guess, you minx! And for you

der which attitude I should take up, for the moment the door of her room was closed behind us, she turned upon me, the color high

The unexpected question and her

patiently. "Don't play with me, boy! Y

Mistress Anne," I said,

been sitting with a pretty face on each side of you, do you think you have only to throw the handkerchief, this way or that? If you do, open your eyes, and you will find it is not so. My kinswoman can take care of her

A young man may not be in love with a girl, yet it d

ame mind as yourself. Well," with a fierce little nod, "you will learn some day that it is not so, that women are not quite what men think them; and particularly, Master Francis, that six f

he effect that I did not

f every one of us? Cannot you see that if you insult and offend this young man--which you ar

repeated in

dstrom--living in peace and quietness. But do you suppose that inquiries are not being made for us? Why,

uietly, satisfied perhaps with the effect she had produced. "And this young man, who is the son of one of the principal men of Arnhe

not,"

lousy is as easily awakened as it is hardly put to sleep. A word from this young man to the Spanish authorities

onscience-stricken

replied smiling. "I th

I went downstairs I found my host and Master Bertie alone in the parlor. The girls had disappeared, so had Van Tree, and I saw at once that something had happened. Master Bertie w

he young lad

Master Bertie,

ked mechanically. Somehow

d the Engli

to show temper. I have never known him and Dymphna have a cross word before. What has come to the lad, I say, to

afterward, I slunk out. The thought of what I might have brought upon us all by my petulance and vanity made me feel sick. I crept up

heard of him. Dymphna moved restlessly about, her cheeks pale, her eyes downcast, and if I had ever flattered myself that I was anything to the girl, I was undeceived now. The Duchess shot

" said our host, trying to hide his vexation. "He will

gone home; for in the course of the morning she took occasion, when we w

gone?" I said meekly, f

out of sight unless there is more harm done than I think, or he is very different from Eng

ded a

me hours after this, toward two o'clock indeed, when Mistress Anne came to

answered

k she has gone that way to be on the lookout--you can guess for whom [with a smile]. But I am fearful lest she shall meet some one else, Master Francis; she is wearing her gold

I said. "What

r her," Anne suggested.

go, or Master Be

tie is fishing in a boat somewhere. It will take time to find him. Why ca

ight be danger, and I did not see what else was to be done. Indeed, Mistress Anne did not leave me until she had seen me clear of the orchard and hal

er from a distance. As I passed by the little cluster of cottages on the landward side of the island, I glanced sharply about me, for I thought it not unlikely that Master Van Tree might be lurking in the neighborhood. But I saw nothing either of her or him. All was quiet, the air full of spring sunsh

to Arnheim, and saw only a group of travelers moving slowly along it, their backs toward me. The road before me was bare of passengers. Where, then, was Dymphna, if she had crossed the bridge? In the last resort I scanned the green expanse of rushes and willows, which stretched, with intervals of open water, as far as the eye could reach on my left. It was all rustling and shimmering in the light breeze, but my eye picked out

f the bridge. "She is safe enough there! And I will go no nearer. It is o

mere. I could not now see Dymphna. The willows hid her, and I waited for her to reappear. She did not, but some one els

may go home! Master Van Tree is on the track. And n

mething which flashed back a point of intense light. The something I guessed at once was a corselet, and it nee

ter of a mile or rather more from the road. I had gone one-half of this distance perhaps when a shrill scream in front caused me to redouble my efforts. I expected to find the ruffian in the act of robbing the girl, and clutched my cudgel--for, alas! I had left my sword at home--more tightly in my grasp, so that it was an immense relief to me when, on turning an

VER HIM W

the slight struggle which had evidently taken place when she got by him; and it lay a black spot in the middle of the grassy avenue behind him. The sun--it was about three hours after no

nd even then I think he noticed my presence merely as that of an unwelcome spectator. He fa

another in the first shock of the collision. A cry of astonishment escaped him--astonishment at my hardihood. He tried, his eyes glaring into mine, and his hot breath on

g him. He stretched himself out and turned with a convulsive movement on his face. His h

over him in an awful fascination, to be the only sounds in nature. I looked so long at him in that dreadful stillness and

im!" the girl whis

led him," I answ

d me, or on the battle-field. I should have felt no horror then such as I felt now, standing over him in the sunshine with the lark's s

ymphna wailed sudd

k to the road. The way seemed long and I looked behind me often. But we reached the causeway at last, and there in the open I felt some relief. Yet even then, stopping to cast a backward glance at the ma

was so oblivious of other matters that when the young Dutchman rose suddenly from the seat on one side of the door, and at the same moment the Duchess rose from the bench on the other, I did not understand in the first instant of surprise what was the matter, though I let Dymphna's hand fall from my arm. The dark scow

ping her foot, and standing before us, her fac

d I really grown older in doing t

e Spaniard! The Spaniard!" tottere

PTE

E IN TH

Mistress Anne was attending to Dymphna upstairs, and Van Tree had not returned again; so that we had been unable to tell him o

ut Master Lindstrom here can best judge of that

n whether the dead man be discovered before

lady impatient

ll be missed at the next roll-call in the city, his death may not be proved, or traced to th

told he had a companion. One of the maids noticed them lurk

t's fac

oking at me in evident con

aids told her. It was that which

le the tears stood in his eyes and his lip trembled. "Heaven bless you

d my share in averting it--had touched him as nothing else could have touched him. I met the Duchess's eyes and they to

he had regained his composure. "Thanks to Heaven and you

miscreants were watching the island on our account? That some information ha

gewgaws yesterday brought them--the villains! There is nothing safe from them and

ing the worst to

d long considered and settled the point. "The distance is not great, and in Wesel we may find shelter, at any rate for a time.

oom, so clean and warm and comfortable, and settling at length upon the great armoire of p

d life, these come first. And I thank Heaven that I live here within reach

you still be in danger? Would not the magistrates protect yo

s. "Ay, they would protect me--as one sheep protects another against the wol

r Van

roken reed to trust to. Then Dymphna is not all. Once in prison, whatever the charge, there wo

Duchess, with a sigh. "But I hope th

he answered qu

ng the home of a lifetime. But the necessity had come upon us suddenly, while he had contemplated it for years. So much fear and humili

e one of the burying party. My nerves had not recovered from the blow which the sight of the Spaniard lying dead at my feet had dealt them so s

rd him with apathy. What matter how we went, if such were the object of our journey? I wondered how the man's face would look when we came to turn him over, and pictured it in all ghastliest shapes. I wondered whether I should ever forget the strange spasmodic twitching of his leg, the gurgle--half oath, half cry--which

ooking about when we were outside. "It is light enough for

the lower end of the island, making for the fringe of rushes which marked the line of division between river and fen. We could hear the frogs croaking in the marsh, and the water lapping the banks, and gurgling among the tree-roots, and making a hundred strange noises to which daylight ea

trom suddenly stopped rowing. "We have forgotten

pulling the stroke oar, and my back

ury it in the marsh, and if we could it were

n my oar and shivering, as much in impat

tones, I fancy, by the end of the bridge. If not, there are some lying among the cottages just acro

m the landward bend of the bridge, and just in the shadow of the causeway. I sprang ashore and clambered up. "Hist!" he cried, warni

imbers had creaked and clattered when I went over them in the daylight, I stole across on tiptoe. I fancied I had seen a pile of stones near one of the posts at that end, but I could not find them now, and after groping about a while--for this part was at the moment in

et of me. I could see no one. But a moment's thought told me that the speakers were hidden by the farther corner of the cottage abreast of which I stood. The sound of human voices, the assurance of living companionship, stea

an--surely the man was Van Tree then, if the woman was Dymphna? I stared. I felt sure it must be Van Tree. It was wonderful enough that Dymphna should so far have regain

ng Dutchman was short. This man's face, too, though it was obscured as he bent over the girl by his cloak, which was pulled high up about his throat, was swarthy; s

er to get uppermost. What was I to do? What ought I to do? Go nearer to them, as near as possible, and listen and learn the truth? Or steal back the way I had come, and fetch Master Lindstro

, leaving the question of future proceedings to be decided after I had spoken to her on the morrow, when a movement diverted my thoughts. The man at last raised his head.

s it ripples past Greenwich, and a small boat gliding over it, and a man in the bow of the boat, a man with a grim lip and a sinister eye. Y

*

g him. So he had tracked us! He was here! With wonderful vividness I pictured all the dangers which menaced the Duchess, Master Bertie, the Lindstroms, myself, through his discover

he pair for a second. When it returned to them they had taken the alarm. Dymphna had started away, and I saw her figure retreating swiftly in

e broke away and made for the bridge, his object evidently to get off the island. But he seemed at last to see that I was too quick for him--as I certainly was--and should catch him

st attack with the moonlight shining on me. I peered in cautiously. "Come out!" I cried. "Come out, you coward!" Then I heard him move, and for a moment I th

a sudden leap into vividness, as it were, it grew white against the dark background--white and whiter. It seemed to be thrust out nearer and nearer, until it almost touched mine. It--his face? No, it was not his face! For one awful moment a terror, which seeme

desperate rush across it. The shimmering water below, in which I saw that face a thousand times reflected, the breeze, which seemed the dead man's hand clutching me, lent wings to my flight. I s

in the bottom of the boat, with my eyes covered; and understood that Master Lindstrom was leaning over me in a terrible state of mind, imploring me in mingled Dutch and English to tell him what had happened. "I have seen him!" was all I coul

Spaniard?" he said kindly, a

yet with less violence. "How could I

feel his heart this morni

up, though I still shunned the water, lest that dreadful v

he fell on his face. D

ting erect. My brain began to work a

roughly--"how do you know that he

iard's head was harder to break. As for the blood coming from his mouth, perhaps he bit his tongue, or did

look about me, yet still with a tremor in my

rence--who no doubt was the other soldier seen with the scoundrel this morning--found him hurt late in the evening. Then, seeing him in that state, he put him in the porch f

d, with a sigh of relief. "B

let us get home first. We w

y pleasant feelings to hearing the story narrated. But when we reached the house, and found Master Bertie and the Duchess in

ace of many exclamations and some incredulity, completed the tale; "it is just this! The woman certainly was not Dymphna. In the first place, she would not be out at night. In the second place, what could she know of your Cla

. "I only saw her b

ething," Master Lindstr

en him before?" put in my lady

of my certainty on the point. "It was the man I saw in the boat

he rejoined. "For, if it was indeed

aning. "But come, lad, I will ask Dymphna, though I think it useless to do so. For whether yo

me in. She looked somewhat startled at finding us all in conclave. "I thought I heard yo

of crimson in each cheek. "What is it?" she went on abruptly, looking hard at me and shutti

opening her mouth with a snap. "Hav

se," was the

is she

ne repeated in surpr

l?" the Duchess continued. "Out

hough I hope she will be all right when she awakes. Who says she has been out?" Anne adde

taken as to Mistress Dymphna. But I am ju

olently, and the color for an instant fleeing f

e had a wonderfully high courage herself. "I think Maste

e see him?" the girl as

otions. And this time so much of the ghost story had to be introduced--for she pressed me closely as t

nerves are in much the same state to-night as Dymphna's. He thought he saw a ghost, and he did not.

"Your tongue runs too freely. No one has had better proofs of Mast

g lady retorted, her foot tapping the floor, and the re

PTE

UL B

the Duchess's kindly incredulity, what could I do? Only assert what I had asserted already, that it

ened. "One moment!" he said. "Take it that the lad is right, Master Lindstrom. Is there any precaution we can adopt, any back do

eplied the Dut

are all at the

surprise and arrest us would secure them first, and the bridge. Then they would have us in a trap. It might be well to take a boat r

e Duchess, her husband, Anne, an

that it was Clarence," my lady

said. She had paused an

gue has come on the scene again, the lad's scruples ought not to stand in the way. They are all nonsense. The letter m

husband asked, as I kept sil

ome of them. What was I to do? I knew that the three pairs of eyes were upon me, and the knowledge distracted me, and prevented me really thinking,

as

our feet. "Oh, what a pity!" the Duchess cried, clasping

asures, and it lay in a dozen fragments on the floor. We stood and looked at it, the Duchess in anger, Master Bertie a

iness in another woman! "It only remains to pick up the pieces, miss. If a man had done it--but

s of ware in her hand clatter together. When we had picked up all, even to the smallest piece, I rose, and the Duchess returned to the

do you think," I continued, pausing as I opened the door for Mistress Anne to go out w

ng with each syllable, "I think so. I will be

, only connected with the main building by a covered passage--when our host returned. He told us that he had removed a boat, and I staye

eling the walls with my hands. When I had about reached the middle I paused. It struck me that the door into the garden must be open, for I felt a cold draught of air strike my brow, and saw, or fancied I saw, a slice of night sky and the branch of a tree waving against it. I took a step forward

tely off my guard, that I had made no attempt either to strike or to clutch my assailant, and I suppose only the darkness of the passage saved me from another blow. But was one needed? The hand which I had raised instincti

of me. "What," she cried, backi

abbed," I said,

man stared, my lady screamed loudly, Master Bertie whipped ou

has gone," I

d me. I remember my prevailing idea was a kind of stunned pity for myself. Perhaps later--I hope so--I should have come to think of Petronilla and my uncle and other people. But before this stage was readied, the Duchess reassured

ed the Dutchman soberly--his thoughts w

oth my lady, "and h

ight hurt and my imagination, if I had been left to myself. But the Duchess's assurance and the draught of schnapps, which seemed to send new blood through my veins, made me feel ashamed of myself. If the Duchess wou

t asked, when he and Master Bertie returned, w

I answered; "shorter than I am, at

uneasily; "that is no clew. In this country nine

about the same height

ting down again. "Heaven help us, we seem to be in the midst of foes! What coul

ssage was "Van Tree!" When we had glanced at one another we looked all of us at our host--looked somewhat guiltily. He was deep in though

d some delicacy, too, about accusing one of his countrymen of a thing so cowardly. "Do you think it

er knee, and speaking with a simplicity almost majestic, "and never knew him

in a fit of jealousy when Master Carey br

rights of that matter,"

g about the place all d

ejoined patiently; "yet I

" she said, so

it was Van Tree. Yet a thought struck me. "It might be well," I suggested, "that some one should as

go by the door,"

agreed. "But she could see the door from the foo

the most part silent, Master Bertie only remarking that it was after midnight. The suspicion he and I entertained of Van Tree's guilt seemed to raise

ering with cold and alarm. Their eyes were bright, their manner was excited. They were full of sympathy and horror and wonder, as was na

went up straight to bed. But who could it be? Did you see no

I mu

Her dark eyes dwelling on mine seemed to probe my thoughts, as though they challenged m

reluctantly. "Thi

Was it Master

. I wondered, and I think the others did, too, at Mistress Anne's harshness. Even my lady, so blunt and outspoken by natur

y Dutch which came to the same thing. A word or two of questioning and explanation followed. Then the meaning of the accusation dawned at last on Dymphna's mind. I looked for an

say?" my lady e

trom, who was looking on gravely

s as though a curtain had been raised from between them, and they saw one another in their true colors and recognized some natural antagonism, or, it might be, some rivalry each in the othe

. Midnight was past. Who could be abroad, who could want us at this hour? As a rule we should have been in bed and asleep long ago. We

strom. But he looked doubtfully

uchess. "That table is solid

it was done at once, the two men--my lady would not let me help--so a

sh," said Master Ber

nervous moment when our host prepared to lo

ation, and rather augured treachery the more. I remember noticing how each took the crisis; how Mistress Anne's face was set hard, and her breath came in jerks; how Dymphna, pale and trembling, seemed yet to have eyes only for her father; how the Duchess faced the entra

ntly he saw nothing unexpected even in our presence downstairs at that hour, nothing hostile or questioning in the half circle of astonished

before in a passion of jealousy. My theory that he was the assassin seemed on a sudden extravagant, though here he was on the spot. When Master Lindstrom asked, "Alarm! What alarm?" I listened for his answer as I should have listened for the answer of a friend and ally, without hesitation, without distrust. For in truth the man was tr

ng to arrest you. Their plan is to surround the house before daybreak.

. The others were silent, looking at this

informed against you. I know not on what ground you are included, but I fear the worst. There is not a mom

ng at its best. His eyes roved round the room, and he tugged, as was his habit when deep in tho

on his way to Cleves or some part of Germany. It is rumored that he has come out of his road to inquire after c

of turning away. He spoke in Dutch, but by some inspiration b

which had hindered me from viewing him fairly before, fell in a trice. I felt now only a kindly sorrow that he had done this noble thing, and not I. I went to him and grasped his hand; and though I said nothing, he seeme

--was preparing food and thick clothing. The Duchess had fetched her child and was dressing it for the journey. Master Bertie was collecting small matters, and looking to our arms. In one or other of th

ing on the floor behind me, packing, had desisted from her work and was gazing fixedly at me. I turned. Yes, she was looking at me; her eyes, in which a smoldering fire seemed to burn, contrasting vividly with her pale face and contracted brows. When she saw that I had turned--of which at first s

e almost a hiss, her hot breath on my cheek. "H

understand her. "What man

ith her tongue, as though they were parched. "You are all mad! Mad, I think! Don't you see," she continued

uneasily. "That i

see--don't you see," she cried, rocking me to and fro with her hand in her excitement, "that he is fooling you? He is leading us all int

larenc

moment flitting to the door, then returning to my face. "How should

rare moment I had seen into Van Tree's soul and trusted him implicitl

ery in her face. I set down her condition to terror at the plight we were all in, or to vexation that no one would take her view. The next moment I went farther. I though

they may make a dash to secure us. Stop, Anne! Stop!" I cried. But the girl was deaf. She tugged desperately at the pin, and had already loosened the bar when I caught her

leamed, her strong white teeth showed themselves. I shuddered. I had never pictured her looking like that. Then, as steps sounded on the stairs and cheerful voic

the Duchess sharply, as she entered with

tolidly. "I am seei

, I would like to know? Stop crying, girl; what is the matter with you? Will you

y a great effort to recover composure, she went o

r, which, littered as it was with the debris of packing, looked still pleasant and comfortable in comparison with the darkness outside and the uncertain future before us. What, then, must have been the pain of parting to those who had never known any other home? Yet they took i

less, a clump of dark figures gazing affrightedly at the tree trunks which surrounded us, and which seemed--at least to the women's eyes--to be moving, and to be men closing in on us. But the alarm was groundless, and with no greater mishap than a few stumbles when we came to the slippery edge of the creek, we reached th

TER

S PET

al from our host we struck out into the open, and rowed swiftly toward the edge of the marsh. This was the critical moment; but, so far as we could learn, our passage was unnoticed. We reached the fringe of rushes; with a prolonged hi

w, there widening into a pool, in one place dark, in another reflecting the gray night sky. Down this we sped swiftly, the sullen plash of the oars and the walls of rushes always with us. For ourselves, we crouched still and silent, shivering and listening for sounds of pursuit; now starting at the splash of a frog, again shuddering at the cry of a night-bird. The Duchess, her child, and I w

es abreast of us were still low and reedy, but ahead the slopes of green wooded hills rose gently from the stream. Master Bertie was steering, and, seeing me lift my head, greeted me with a smile. The girls in the stern were covered up an

"do you feel better now? Y

g river and the green hills, by the fresh morning air, by the change in everything; and a

ed, smiling. She was pale, and the long hours of watching had drawn dark circles round her

the frontier?"

answered. "But how d

making an experiment by moving my body to and

ke our fast before the others lay down. There is bread and

hen, finding myself hungry now I came to

," she said, when she had

reachery were past. But its memories remained and presently I said, "If

e said. "We w

at her gravely, "who did? t

he Spaniard whom you hurt in de

te s

was not Clarence

xplained again, "and dressed in a clo

by Clarence," she suggested,

I answered. "And it reminds me. I

-even that little more

s going to ask you," I continued, "to tell me something about him. He was y

, he kept such excellent order among the servants; he was so ready, so willing, so plausible! Oh!" she added bitterly, "he had ways that enabled him to twist nine women out of ten round his fingers! Richard was fond of him; I liked him; we had talked more than once of how we might advance his interests. And then, like a thunderbo

g to me is the way he has twice escaped

answered smiling. "Yet be wary with him. He is a good swordsma

no common m

a tongue would win most women, and a hardihood that would chain them to him. Women love

e after the dark, sluggish channels! Far away in front a great barge, high-laden with a mighty stack of rushes, crept along beside t

she meant, and blushed

n the scene. You have heard the story of the donkey halting between two bundle

the gesture and instantly bent forward and mimicked it. "Ha! ha!" she cried, leaning back with her hands clasped about her knees, and her eyes shining with fun

sin," I said,

her n

roni

shrewdly. "That was the name of

, ma

sed to be several Petronillas about the court in Queen Catherine of Aragon's days, I remember. There was Petronilla de Vargas for

o tell, madam," I s

come, I am sure,

rom it. I am building my house afresh. And," I adde

cried. "You valiant castle-builder! How long have you been about the work? Three months

ee years older since that February morning when I had crossed Arden Forest with the first light, a

!" she said abruptly. "What

tell you,"

nt. "Very well," she said, with a little nod of disdain and a pretty grimace. "So be

from the placid picture which the moving banks and the wide river presented. About noon there was a general uprising; and, coming immediately

ll avail us little if the Spanish soldiers can by hook or crook lay hands on us! Therefore, we must lose no tim

t we were making for," Master

. To Wesel the road from Emmerich runs along the right bank. To Santon we go by a cross-country road, starting from the left bank opposite Emmerich, a

r road? Why not go o

ng, and the boat," our late host explained, more t

d. "And you feel sure

hink nothing of the frontier. I fancy that for you, if the English Government be in earnest, there will be no abs

hess. And she look

ery blankly at his wife. So that I did no

anton, is it?

they follow us along the Wesel road

ter, immersed to all appearance in her own thoughts. There was a little bustle as we rose to get into the boat, which we had drawn up on the landward side of the island so as to be invisible from the main channel; an

id, raising her eyes to my face, and t

her. I found her gazing down the river in the direction from which we had come. "What is it?" I sa

t think me very foolish?" she said. Then I perceived that her lip was quivering and that there were tears in

o reassure her. She had scarcely got over her

so afraid of going there! Master Lindstrom says it is a rough, long road, and when

rly much overwrought. "You are making the worst of it. If it were not for Master

r hands and looking up at me with her face g

dreams----"

reams?" she said, droppi

I admitted, naturally startle

ed a word about going that way, or any other way save to Wesel. I dreamt that we followed the road through such a

e. She described it with a rapt, absent air, which made m

these woods, about half-way to Santon, the

to be that!" I mutt

cannot tell you the rest!" she added wildly. "But try, try to get them to

them your d

dreams. But they will listen to you if you say you think the other way better. Promise me you w

rtest way may be the best. But if I do," I said kindly, "you

id gratefully; "I wi

last. But Anne kept her word, and concealed her fears so bravely that, as she jumped in from the bank, her air of gayety almost de

atch which they had set on the landing-stage would lead them to suspect rather that we had fled by land. We hoped, therefore, to reach E

island, and when we looked to sight Emmerich very soon, the hills which we had seen in front all d

settled that," replie

reddening. "Wesel is not far from Emmerich by the road. Should we not

Lindstrom said gravely. "Th

ere is less fear of violence being attempte

able to reach Wesel? It is the getting there--that is t

course Anne, and she sat silent, though she was visibly agitated, as from minute to minute I or they seemed likely to prevail. But presently when I grew warmer, and urged again and again the strength of Wesel, my

, and to see the possible evils which may result from it; to repent the hot words he has used in the strife and the declarati

g to back out and withdraw my words. I hoped for the best, and resol

the gates, and marking a point where we might take the road to Wesel, or, crossing the river, the road to Santon. Master Lindstrom seemed well known, but there were difficulties about the horses. The German landlord listened to his story with apparent sympathy--but no horses! We could n

y horses to-night," said Mast

e money!" quot

il the morning, we may as wel

water is out on the road

the price!" cried

a couple of pack-horses and a guide. Master Lindstrom, his daughter, and Van Tree would start a little later for Cleves, five miles on the road to Santon, if conveyance could be

l, expected each minute to see the Spanish boat, with its crew of desperadoes, sweep round the corner before our eyes. Master Lindstrom assured us that if we were once out of sight our pursuers would get no information as to the road we had taken, either from the inn-keeper or his neighbors. "There is

e our guides fastening the baggage on the sumpter beasts. I gave them a hand--not without a wince or two, for the wound in my chest was painful--and while doing so had a flash of remembr

and coming toward me, while the ot

get it when I was stabbed, you remember, and afterward we for

th me to look at the horses. "This comes of your foolish s

nswered, "which I used to have for a pillow. Van Tree brought my things d

od crying over spi

the start was saddened by the parting--though we hoped it would be only for a time--from our Dutch friends. We remembered how good and stanch they had been to us. We feared--though Master Lindstrom would not hear of it--that we had brought misfortune upon them, and neither the Duchess's brave eyes nor Dymphna's blue ones were free from tears as they embraced. I wrung Van Tree's hand as if I had k

TER

FUL MA

was followed by a wet evening, and before we had left Emmerich three miles behind us Master Bertie and I had come to look at one another meaningly. We were moving in a dreary, silent procession through heavy rain, with the prospect of the night closing in early. The road, too, grew more heavy with each furlong, and presently began to be covered with pools of water. We tried to

n charge of his wife coming next; then, at some distance, for her horse did not take kindly to the water, the younger woman followed in my care. The other guide brought up the rear. In this way, stopped constantly by the fears of the horses, which were scared by the expanse

uchess and her husband stop and stand waiting for me, t

to them. "The guide tells me that there is a broken piece of ro

had uttered a word of reproach, but I knew what they must be thinking. I had brought them to this. It was my foolish insistence had done it.

Duchess cried in her calm, brave voice. "I

ou are here," I said,

ast and gone. The question is, what are we to do now? To remain here is to die of

d!" Mistress Anne cri

dless, could scarcely be imagined. The night was cold for the time of year, and the keen wind pierced our garments and benumbed our limbs. At any moment the rain might

chess urged. "If there be but this on

ly. "But suppose when we have passed i

harpness. "Let us cross this place first, Richard,

rst. In this order we waded some hundred yards through water, which grew deep

" said the Du

eering forward I made out a current sweeping silently and swi

ad has given way, and the stream is pouring through from the river

to say how deep the water was, or how far the deep par

ood is rising. If we do not take care, we shall be cut off, and be able to go neither

ater. On one side was the hurrying river, on the other were the treacherous depths of the backwater. I asked the guide as well as I could whethe

back," I said, as

loud, strident tones, mingled now with the sullen plash of horses tramping through the water. I looked at the Duchess. Her face was pale, but her courage did not fail her. She understood in a trice that the danger we had so much dreaded was upon us--that we were followed, and the followers were at our heels; and she turned her horse roun

y our fellows in our eyes, and all was flogging and scrambling and splashing, it seemed as if we were to be caught in a trap despite our resolve. But at last Master Bertie's horse took the plunge. His wife's follow

she turned in her saddle with a gestu

rsuers as they sighted us. I could hear them drawing nearer, and I grew desperate. Luckily they could not make any speed in water so deep, and time was given me for one last furious effort. It succeeded. My horse literally fell into the stream; it dragged Anne's after it. How we kept our seats, how they their footing, I never understood; but, somehow, splashing and stumbling and blinded by the water dashed

uchess cry, her voice hig

n! Do not lose a moment

er on, and I heard the three horses go splashing away through the flood. I threw a glance at them over my shoulder, bethinking me that I had not told the Duchess my story, and that Sir Anthony and Petronilla would never--but, pish! What was I thinking o

ge of the stream, and his dark face grew darker as he saw the swirling eddies, and me standing fronting him in the moonlight with my sword out. He discerned at once, I think, the

nd then he hailed me. "Will you surrender?" h

And why--why should I surrender

he Emperor, you fool!" he a

the Emperor!" I reto

ueen's na

"And as the flood is rising," I added scorn

Who are you?" he replied, in

hort colloquy between us, that no stranger fight ever was fought than that which we contemplated as we stood there bathed in the May moonlight, with

e poor beast sank down and rolled gently over, leaving me bestriding its body, my feet in the water. Whatever the cause of this, I had to disentangle myself, and that quickly, f

rup shone a moment as the horse rolled over, then in a second the two were gone down the stream. It was done so easily, so quickly, it amazed me. One gone! hurrah! I turned quickly to the others, who were about landing. My blood was fired, and my yell of victory, as I dashed at them, scared back two of th

TWICE AT

he other I lunged twice at the rider as he half tried to rise, half tried to grasp at me. The second time I ran him through, and he screamed shrilly. In those

point a row of pollard willows defined the line between the road and the river. Keeping this on my right, I made good way. The horse seemed strong under me, the water was shallow, and appeared to be growing more s

p to the neighborhood of the church, whinnying with pleasure. From the back of the building, I was not surprised, came an answering neigh. As I pulled up, a man, his weapon

nishment she flung her arms round my neck and kissed me. "What ha

y shy, though, boylike, I had been longing a few minutes b

ght my wrist, and, lifting the blade, looked a

e horse we followed her. The door of the church was locked, it seemed, and the porch afforded the best shelter to be had. Its upper part was of open woodwork, and freely admitted the wind; but wide eaves

re strange and terrible, and so seemed to me then. Afterward, I learned that something had passed between them which made almost natural such feelings on her part

sure that he is d

a charmed life y

But do you think," he continued--the porch was in darkness, and we could scarce

ight," I said grimly. "

ad, and it would be madness to go on by night without a g

lter the porch of God's house. Mistress Anne, who was crouching in the darkest corner next the church, seemed to have collapsed entirely. I remembered afterward that I did not once hear her speak that night. The Duchess tried to maintain our spirits and her own; but in the face of cold, damp

at her and shuddered. Had she sat so all night? Sat staring with that stony face of pain, and those tearless eyes on the moonlight, on the darkness which had been before the dawn, on the cold first rays of morning? Stared o

t hear. "Anne!" I cried again, so loudly that the Duchess stirred, and muttered something i

me; while a violent shudder convulsed her whole frame. Afterward she seemed unable to withdraw her eyes from me, but sat in t

n the doorway. He looked at us--I suppose he had found the horses outside--gazing in surprise at the queer group. I bade him good-morning in Dutch, and he answered as well as his astonishment would let him. He wa

a very little way, a couple of hundred yards round us only. The rest was mist--all mist. We appealed to the man for food and shelter, and he nodded, and, obeying his signs rather than his words, we kicked up our starved beasts and plodded out into the fog by his si

ng into our half-frozen bodies; to turn and warm back and front, while the good wife set bread and hot milk before us. How differently we three felt in half an hour! How the Duchess's ey

d, in obedience to my lady's sharp words, raise her bowl to her lips. But she set it d

farmer to attend to the horses,

ee foreigners ride past on the road, along with two Germans on pack-horse

himself out," I said, shruggi

be done?" he continued. "We may follow them to Wesel, but the good man says the floods are deep between here and t

do?" I said. "It is

On the farther side we might hit a road leading to Santon, three leagues distant. Should we go to Santon after all? The farmer thought the roads on that side of the river might no

Are you sure the ferry-

n. And thereupon an une

erself again, trembling, excited, bright-eyed; as different as possible from the Anne of

distance from the road; and though it was rough--it was very rough, consisting only of two rooms

the walls of a town. Master Lindstrom laid so much stress on that. And I fancy that the party who overtook us last night are not the main body. Others will have go

renc

ster Bertie assented gravely, "we cannot af

so mysteriously had bled afresh, probably during last night's fight. We needed all our courage to put a brave face on the matter, and bear up and go out again into the air, which for the first week in May was cold and nipping. Suspense and

detachments, and it was nearly an hour past noon before we all stood on the farther bank and bade farewell to the honest soul whose h

nearly five, while the road was so founder

; the men muddy to the waist, savage, and impatient. It was eight o'clock, and dusk was well upon us before we caught sight of

l be safe enough behind you. Let me take the child, and

them. Dark masses of woods, the last remnants, apparently, of a forest, lay about the road we had to traverse. We were passing one of these, scarcely three hundred paces shor

ud challenge, saw his arm wave, and guessed that his sword was out. I spurred desperately to join him, giving a wild shout of encouragement as I did so. But before I could come up, or indeed cross half the distance, the scuffle was over. One man fell headlong from his saddle, one horse fled riderless down the ro

s breathing hard and was very much excited. "They were poor

y hurt, if not dying, cut across the neck. He looked hard at him by such light as

slowly. Then a certain suspicion occurre

ster Bertie said stu

Then I got quickly on my horse. The women were just coming up. "Master Bertie," I said in a low voice, as I looked this way and that

sting in on him, and the reins dropping from h

TER

N THE GA

sweeping over it. In front, where the lights twinkled and the smoke of the town went up, we were like to meet with a savage reception. And it was no

d another night in the fields. Quick, madam!" I continued to the Duchess, as she came up. I did not wait to hear his opinion, for I saw he

ght for the town; but I saw no other resource, and it seemed to me to be better to surrender peaceably, if that were possible, than to expose the women to another night of such cold and hunger as the last. And fortune so far favored us

ng a lantern, which, making the gloom away from it seem deeper, lit up the things about it, throwing into flaring prominence some barred window with a scared face peering from it, some corner with a puddle, a slinking dog, a broken flight of steps. Just within the gate stood a brazier full of glowing

With a swift whir an iron pot came hurtling past me, and, missing the Duchess by a hand's-breadth, went clanking under the gatehouse. That served for a signal. In a moment an alarm of hostile cries rose all round us. An arrow whizzed between my horse's feet. Half a dozen odd missiles, snatched up by hasty hands, came raining in on us out of the gloom. The to

women, one was a child, I quailed. How could I protect them? There was no mistaking the stern meaning of those cries, of that rage so much surpassing anything I had feared. Though I did not kno

know how I did it, but somehow I made myself understood by the others and got the women off their horses and dragged Mistress Anne inside, where at once we both fell in the darkness over the lower steps of a spiral staircase. This hindered the Duchess, who was following, and I heard a scuffle taking place behind us. But in that confined space--the staircase was very narrow--I could give no help. I could only stumble upward, dragging the fainti

side, and on the bottom step I came on some one, hurt or dead, just a dark mass at my feet. It was Master Bertie. I gave a cry and leaped over his

e narrow winding staircase in the face of unknown numbers was a task from which the bravest veterans might have flinched, and the townsfolk, furious as they were,

e, I too turned and ran up after her, posting myself in the last angle just below the room. There I was sheltered from missiles by the turn in the staircase, and was further p

led me to do, from moment to moment, what I could to save our lives. I did not know whether there was another staircase to the tower, nor whether there were enemies above us;

k walls round me--so much softened, at least, that I could hear my heart beating in the midst of it--when the Duchess came back to the door ab

uestion. "Is he a

a fluttering of the woman's heart she had repressed so br

ible. When she asked again "Can I do anything?" I bade her take my pike and stand where I was for a moment. Since no enemy had yet made his appearance above,

thing loudly and painfully, his head pillowed on the Duchess's kerchief. Beside him sat Mistress Anne, her face hidden, the child wailing in her lap. A glance round assured me that there was no other staircase, and that on the side toward the country, the wall was pierced with no window bigger than a loophole or an arrow-slit; with no opening which even a boy could enter. For the present, therefore, unless the top of the tower should be escaladed from the adjacent houses--and

nd join in the risk, I could have borne it better. I might have felt then some of the joy of battle, and the stern pleasure of the one matched against the many. But I was alone. How was I to save these

and a calm as sudden followed, I heard a dull, regular sound close to the window--a thud! thud! thud!--and on the instant divined the plan and the danger. My courage came back and with it my wits. I remembered an old tale I had heard, and, dropping my sword where I stood, I flew to the hearth, and unhooked the great pot. It was heavy; half full of something--broth, most likely; but I recked nothing o

hich I had a brief view, as the torches flared now on one, now on another. But prudence prevailed. If no more blood were shed it mig

e window being driven in, and cried out pitifully to know what it wa

and made a rough examination of his wound. He had received a nasty blow on the back of the head, from which the blood was still oozing, and he was insensible. His face looked very

oving, but the only word I caught was "Clarence!" I did not wonder she was distraught; I had work enou

. "You have brought me to this! And now I must die! I must die he

d went out to speak to the Duchess. Poor woman! even her brave spirit was giving way. I felt her cold hands tremble as I took the halbert from he

of attack, either below me or in the room behind, when I distinguished a strange rustling sound on the staircase. It appeared to come from a point a good deal below m

gunpowder? No! I did not think so. They would not care to ruin the gateway for the sake o

and my fears returned with it. "Stand!" I

of. I laughed, my first start over. "You will have to come a little higher up!" I cried tauntingly, as I smelt the fumes. My eyes had become so accustomed to the darkness that I felt sure

g no longer startled me. I began to see a glimpse of hope. It was plain that the townsfolk were puzzled how to come at us without suffering great loss. They were unaware of our numbers, and, as it proved, believed that we had three uninjured m

g again at the foot of the staircase, came this time to no more formida

said r

?" was the n

nglish!"

, and I cried to the Duchess to be on her guard. For this reason, too, the suspense of the next few minutes was almost more trying than

ent were Master Lindstrom's. A cry of relief from the room behind me showed that there, too, the speaker was reco

is voice, though he still remained below, betraying his perplexity

oment's thought. "But you must come alone. And I cann

might have to tell all he saw to his friends below, and I thought it well, for his sake as well as our own, that he should be able to do this freely, and without hurting us. As he joined me I held up a finger for silence and listened keenly. But all was qui

you first," I continued, "how it happened." And I briefly explained that we had mistaken the capta

. "But the townsfolk are furious, and the seizure of the t

es if we had not done it," I answered dry

yourself?" he said,

low. We shall sell our lives dearly, my friend. Yet, for the sake of the women who are with us, we are willing to surr

"They will not he

thing upon them. Tell them that our

ed here to-morrow, and the townsfolk feel they would be disgraced forever if

peated. "Perhaps he may be

ed despondently. "I would put no trust in him if I were you. But I

And then, cautioning me to remain st

n which I had last seen her. Her eyes were bright, her whole frame was thrilling with excitement, hope, suspense. I began to understand her; to discern beneath the disguise thrown over it in or

she had betrayed in her fear. I could fancy Petronilla trembling and a coward, but not despairing nor utterly cast down, nor useless when others needed her, nor wrapped in her own te

ger distinguish her face, but I judged from her tone that her fears were regaining possession of her. "Clarence," she muttered, her voice low and trembling.

s? Go back, girl, go back. You are mad. He would be more likely t

f he should come in time, would he have power to help us, using such mysterious influence, Spanish or English, as he seemed to possess? And if

at the women would be allowed to go free; and it seemed to me that to surrender to Claren

s as before, I bade him join me. "Well?" I said, not so impetuously, I hope, as Mistress Anne, y

news," he an

s to any other emotion rising in my throat. "So they will

thers and husbands themselves, and not lanzknechts. They will suffer the

red why on earth he had hesitated to tell me

o, if the tower be surrendered within an hour. With one exce

peated slowly. "Do you mean--you me

hat but for the honest Dutchman's influence, promises, perhaps bribes, such terms would never have been offered to us by the men who hours before had driven us to hold as if we had been ve

He must suffer for the others, lad. I fear so. It is a hard fate, a cruel fate. But I can do no more. They will no

d the man who must die. What could I say? Yet, somehow I must break the news. I asked Master Lindstrom to wait where he was

white light through the twisted and shattered framework of the window, to fall in three bright panels on the floor. The torches in the street had for the most part burned out, or been extinguished. In

showing pale against the gloom, her hands clasped. The Duches

it was best to tell the tale at once--"ex

d leaned against the wall crying and shaking, my lady stood up straight and still, breathing hard but saying nothing. I saw that she did not need to a

excitement, to tremble with nervousness, such as would rather have become one of the women than a man. My head grew hot, my heart began to beat quickly. I caught myself looking out, listening, waiting for something to h

uivering, her face full of keenest pain. "We will not

cold breath going before it was. I looked quietly from her to her husband; and I asked--I f

she answered. "Then he seemed to sink aw

ed so kindly into mine. My fingers played idly with the k

looking at me in pity so great and generous that it did not wound her. "Oh, yes

! Ah, yes, t

e, nay, was on her knees by me, clasping my hand, looking up to me with streaming e

dstrom cannot get better

e. "You are sure?" she said

forcing a smile. "I will c

I went out and joined Li

whisper, "that they will--that the town

hey are Germans, and hard and pitiless, but you

d gravely. "I give myse

PTE

E THE

on this I sat, my back to the wall and my face to the window. The guards lounged on the other side of the hearth round a lantern, playing at dice and drinking. They were rough, hard men, whose features, as they leaned over the table and the light played strongly on their faces, blazoning them against a wall of shadow, were stern and rugged enough. But the

from thing to thing; now dwelling on the Duchess and her husband, now flitting to Petronilla and Sir Anthony, to the old place at home and the servants; to strange petty things, long familiar--a tree in the chase at Coton, an herb I had planted. Once a great lump rose in my throat, and I had to turn away to hide the hot tears that would rise at the thought that I must die

m time to time, the cry of the watchman going his rounds came drearily to my ears, recalling to me the night I had spent behind the boarding in Moorgate Street, when the adventure which was to end to-morrow--nay, to-day--in a few hours--had lured me away. To-day? Was I to die to-day? To perish with all my plans, hopes, love? It seemed impossib

he stairs. The sounds of day and life acted magically upon me. The horror of the night passed off as does the horror of a dream. When a man, hea

so high that I could see nothing of his features. My first notion that he must be Master Lindstrom passed away; an

start so that the irons clanked on my feet, "Wel

upefied silence, and he at me in a grim curiosity. I was not prepared for the blunt abruptness with which he continued--using almost

er. I still stared

I may help you yet, lad. You have puzzled and foiled me, and I want to understand you. Where did my lady pi

-by a question. "How many t

you. It generally is in the end against those who thwart me, my friend." He chuckled at the conceit

ly n

d. I felt a certain expect

o know wh

t tell you!

his dagger, a dubious smile on his lean, dark face. Unwarned, I might have been attracted by the masterful audacity, the intellect as well as the force

your life," he

rted--I could

wn to the bottom, my lad. But there, it is true enough, I have co

ich he appealed were too strong for me. My voice sounded strange, even

le. "Much! I have, boy, a dozen strings in my

extending the fingers,

laimed. "And for you, I can and wil

ndition?"

save your life on my part; and you, on yours, must give m

had set my heart fluttering so that I could for the mome

should have succeeded before this. In what you have hindered me, you can now help me. You have their confidence and great influence with them. All I ask is that yo

ayed

rmation," he said lightl

ed them!" I

ed, shrugging his shoulders and rais

rage--for it was bitter--bitter, indeed, to feel that new-

y!" he answere

in his cheek that seemed to tell

m anyway, both the Duchess and her husband; though, without your aid, it will be more difficult. Why, help of t

fiercely. "I care

ge and disappointment. His words had aggravated the

"Go and leave m

fixing his eyes on me, "it w

ered wildly. "So be it!

ur honor? Where will it be by to-night?" he hissed, his eyes glowering down at me. "Where a week hence, when you will be cast into a pit and forgotten? Your honor, fool?

that when he was gone I crouched trembling on my pallet, hiding my face in a fit of horror--taking no hee

e Dutchman bending over me with a face of infinite distress. With him, but rather behind him, stood Van Tree, pale and vicious-eyed, tugging his scanty

irons rattling as I dashe

like a dream. Only tell the Duchess to look to herself," I continued, sti

m?" both the Dutc

. "He has been here to offer me my life if I would help him in his schemes. I told him he was the tempter, and de

ar and the father of lies! You may die, lad, to-day; perhaps you must. But forgotten you shall not b

rightness above the red roofs and quaint gables and the rows of dormer windows. Down in the streets the grayness and chill yet lingered. But above was a very glory of light and warmth and color--the rising of the M

is still alive and may recover. I have been with the magistrates this morning," he continued, "and found them better disposed to you; but the Sub-dean

knew the name of the Emperor's shrewd and powerful ministe

t not for him---- But there, it is no good talking of that!" the

the bread, but I drank the broth and felt the better for it. Having in my pocket a little money with which the Duchess had furnished me,

say?" I asked

, nothing,"

s something," I persist

mass said for you!" Lindstrom answe

d it?" I repli

a long broad-bladed sword, and I guessed who he was, seeing how Master Lindstrom strove to intercept my view of him. But I was not afraid of that. I had heard long ago--perhaps six months in time, but it seemed long ago--how bravely Queen Jane had died. And if a girl had not trembled, surely a man should not. So I looked s

nce of the hour fixed for the proceedings. Her husband was better, he said, and conscious; but, for fear of exciting him, they were k

wore a huge gem ring upon his thumb. Behind them stood three attendants holding a sword, a crosier, and a ducal cap upon a cushion; and above and behind all was a lofty stained window, whose rich hues, the sun being low as yet, shot athwart the corbels of the roof. At the end of the table sat a black-robed man with an ink-horn and spectacles, a grave, still,

peak German?" the eldest burgher said, addressing me grav

that language, feeling chilled already by the stern form

ame?" replied

my eyes--had hitherto been looking at me in evident doubt. But at this he nodded assent, and, averting his eyes

d wounded in the highway last night one Heinrich Schr?der, a citizen of this town, acting at t

. I supposed him to be one of three persons who had unlawfully wayla

words seemed to be wasted on the silence. The president consulted his document again, and continued: "You are also charged with having by force of a

in order to preserve my life and to protect certain ladies traveling with me from the

rhaps somewhat moved in my favor, for a few words passed between them. However, in the end the

I lost patience. "Except what I have said," I continued--"that for the wounding, it was done in error; and for the gate-seizing, I would do it again to save the

the president a

nge tightening at my throat. Was i

ringing through the court, seemed in a moment to change its aspect--to infuse into it some degree of life and sympathy. More than one guttural exclamation, which seemed to mark approval, burst from the throng at the back of the hall.

cried. "Are you one of the heretic

nscience," our friend answered manfully, nothing daunted

ring us into feud with our neighbors. It is enough that such men as you are allowed to live. We will not be bearded by you, so ta

e persisted--and stayed him. "It is of no use," I muttered. "

in, and the stained window seemed to be putting forth its mystic influence to enfold me, when, looking up, I saw a tiny shadow flit across the soft many-hued rays

art was on a sudden so softened that, instead of this reflection giving me pain, as one would have expected, it only filled me with a great anxiety to provide for the event. She must not wait and watch for me day after day, perhaps year after year. I m

TER

DUKE'

ntly to the end, but having the matter I have mentioned much in my mind, I begged him to go and get me writing materials. When he r

t that?" I said s

found the man who had taken possession of your horse, and got it

ince I left it in Master Lindstrom's house by the river. I left it on the pallet in

discovered it behind the saddle of

d from excitement. Master Lindstrom also felt troubled, as he told

wrong with my wits, as

ding the horse which I took from the Spanish trooper. The Spaniard must have annex

trom said. "And in the hurry of yest

ce. I took the sack and slipped my hand through a well-known slit in the lining. Yes, the letter I had left there was there still--the letter to Mistress Clarence. I drew it out. The corners of the

It concerns her. You have heard us talk abou

e that many eyes were upon me, and that more would be watching me presently. At the far end of the room a number of people had now gathered, and were conversing together. Among them were not only my jailers of the night, but two or three offi

m not ashamed--God forbid! but which it would not be meet for me to repeat here. Enough that I told her in a few words who I was, and entreated her, in the name of whatever services I had rendered he

minutes of grace--came to me, leaving the group at the other end, and told me gravely that I was waited for. I rose at once and gave the letter to Master Lindstrom with some messages in which Dymphna and Anne were not forgotten. And then, with a smile--for I felt under all th

ood death;" he answered gravely

ointed to

with heads from wall to wall, with faces all turned one way--toward me. It was a silent crowd standing in hushed awe and expectation, the consciousness of which for an instant sent a sudden chill

dstrom and more guards. The Dutchman reached forward in the gloom, an

him cheerily, looking

t write here; not wishing, as I have

short of it we came to a standstill; and almost at the same moment I started

?" I asked

ing, I expect," he whispered. "

eyes. As I gradually raised them again I saw before me a short lane formed by two rows of spectators kept back by guards; and at the end of this, two or three rough wooden steps le

and did not make way, while the shouting and uproar hindered them from hearing that we had come out. Then it struck me, seeing that the people at the windows were also gazing away, and taking no heed of me, that the Duke w

ich still clasped mine, begin to shake; and turning to him, I found that his face had changed to a deep

t seemed to me, with one word, which a thousand tongues took up and

Lindstrom exclaimed.

ed past me, and, bounding up the steps, thrust his way through the officials on the scaffold, causing more than on

. "What is it?" I cri

e close to mine, and the tears running down his cheeks.

on?" I

aid, putting his arm about my shoulder. "Do not m

s and hid everything. The clamor and shouting of the street passed away, and sounded vague and distant. The next instant, i

I said

ence a while, l

n his hasty leap from the scaffold was rising beside me with a good-natured smile. As if at a signal, every face now turned toward me. A dozen friendly hands passed me up the steps amid a fresh outburst of cheering. The throng on

said, speaking in Spanish, in

eering. When this was over and silence obtained, the magistrate continued, "You are requir

y, sir," I

y on me as I passed, or whether the deep thankfulness which choked me, and brought the tears continually to my eyes, transfigured them and gave them a generous charm not their own. But this I do know: that the sunshine seemed brighter and the air softer than ever before; that

ers, we could be got through the throng. When I at last emerged I found myself again before the table, and saw--but only dimly, for the light now fell through the stained window directly on my head--a commanding figure standin

ly, "then it is you

and looking at me with eyes which glowed thro

e of Cleves, who stood behind smiling at her in frank amusement. "This," she said, "is

e answered gravely. "And do you,

s and stains of travel. Then he stood by her with his hand on the back of the seat. He was a tall, burly man, with bold, quick-glancing eyes, a flushed face, and a loud manner; a fierce, blus

red out the tale

d finished; "why did you let them think it wa

her service. Besides, it was through my persuasion that we came by the road which led to this misfortune instead of by an

prince loudly. "I would I had suc

such as those of this morning it was a slight matter. "I come of a noble family, may it please

something to him and he something to her. She spoke again and he answered. Then he n

sire," I

od of land in the common graveyard of Santon to hold of me, and I name you Von Santonkirch. And I, William, Duke of Cleves, Julich and Guelders, prince of the Empire, declare

before the Duke. But he could not see the Duchess of Suffolk, the Duke's figure being interposed. As he came forward, the crowd making way for him, he cast an angry glance at me, and scarcely smoothed his brow even t

y, eying the ecclesiastic with

"Or, if otherwise, I am sure that your highness has not r

sir," quoth the

rom my Lord Bishop of

the prince, starting and b

y are represented to me as dangerous persons, pestilent refugees from England, an

nor by his master, be he ten times Emperor! Go to! Go to! Master Sub-dean! You forget yourself, and so does your master the Bishop. I will have you know that thes

e Sub-dean started and his face fell, for, seeing her seated in the Duke's presence, he discerned at once that the game was played out. Ye

d the Duke, in

ras----" the prie

is own tapestry!" retorted t

and henceforth said no more of the Bishop. Instead, he continued smoothly, "Your highness has, of course, considered the danger--th

ants, like sheep before wolves. A fig for your Emperor! I never feared him young, and I fear him less now that he is old and decrepit and, as men

*

ter, "how did the Duchess manage it? I gathered from something you or she s

n years back, is it? And so far we might have felt confident of his protection. But the marriage turned out ill, or turned out short, and Queen Anne

id, smiling. "But you have no

window, and, seeing few people in the streets to welcome him, inquired why this was. Dymphna broke down at that, and told her what was happening to you, and that you were to die at that very hour. She w

I could see below me the guard which Duke William, shrewdly mistrusting the Sub-dean, had posted in front of the house, nominally to do the Duchess honor. I could hear in the next room the cheerful voices of my friends

The risk and exposure of the last week had made a deeper mark upon her than upon any of us. She was paler, graver, older, more of a woman and less, much less, of a girl. And

," she said presently, speaking drea

, thinking she referred only

he di

th the oar," she continued, gazing absently at me, her hands in

It was strange that she should mention it as a fact, when

u were stabbed in the passage; and again when you had the skirmish by the river; and

re as I suspect that I have to thank Maste

red, removing her eyes from me tha

is str

. "Shall I tell you?" She paused and looked brightly at me, holding something concealed behind her. I guessed in a moment, from the aspect of her fa

ded for you now," I said shyly. For

, as I opened my mouth, "I am not going to keep your secret, sir. You may go down on your knee

n his elbow, while his face lit up, a

eyes sparkling with mischief. "Well, sir, this gentleman, Master Fra

thony's

d Cludde, whom you also have

tress Anne. The girl had risen, and was gazing at me with distended eyes and blanched cheeks, and hands stretched out to keep me off--gazing, indeed, as

mping her foot in anger. "What ha

anation or apology, Mistress Anne had reached the door, groped blindly for the latch, found it

TER

HAT HAD MA

m one to another of us when Anne had disappeared. "W

ture. Master Bertie shook his head also, keeping his eyes glue

o frighten her!"

announcement that my real name was Cludde terri

than usual; "so far as I heard, you said nothing. But I think, my dear

as not much surprised, for I have always remarked that women have less sym

ing squire of dames merely because his father was a--well, not quite what he would have liked him to be! I remember something about him," she continued, pursing up her lips, and nodding her head at us. "I fanci

m home," I explained. "The Bishop of Win

e not? Oh, I know. And he thinks he has a kind of reversionary interest in the property! With you and your fathe

y the desire to use my services abroad, in conjunction perhaps with some remoter and darker plan for eventually devoting the Cludde property to the Church. Such an act of piety would have been possible had Sir Anthony died leaving his daughter unmarried, and would certainly have earned for

ad not meddled with you, he would not have had his plans in regard to us thwarted. If he had not driven

ncellor arranged that!" said

y, one feels at home again. And yet," she continued, her lips trembling suddenly, and her eyes fil

, seeing my embarrassment. "Go

have another letter to open. It is very odd that this letter was never opened before," she continued, producing that which

Mistress Clarence to whom it is addressed may be, it is enough t

dded. She took her husband's dagger and cut the gre

ng off the paper, shivered. "I do not underst

Bertie replied, gazing at her eag

service goeth always for much, and never for naught, with me. In which belief confirm yourself. For the present, working with him as heretofore, be secret, and on no a

and turned on us a face full of won

ll?" her h

nswered, returning

cup is full and the business of seeing that they drink it lieth with me, who am not wont to be

member how you once dressed up a dog in a rochet, and dandled it before Gardiner? And it is our matter in which

me? Ha! I had it. Of the night on which we had fled from Master Lindstrom's house, when Mistress Anne had been seized with that odd fit of perverseness, and had al

Clarence," my

side, I

no clew," she added. "It is a disguise. You see

did not see it, that she did not at once turn her suspicions toward the right quart

t once to draw the inference. She was his wife's kinswoman by marriage--albeit a distant one--and much indebted to her. She had been almo

he day when I had first brought out the letter, and how strangely she had talked to me about it. I remembered Clarence's interview with, not Dymphna,--as I had then thought,--but, as I now guessed, Anne, wearing her cloak. I recalled the manner in which she had used me to persuade Master Bertie to take the Wesel instead of the Santon road; no doubt she had told Clarence to follow

aid the Duchess at length. "To some one in our conf

is certai

e styles her Mistress

ice, I knew he had come at last to the same conclusion to which I had jumped. "I think you may dismiss the se

nts? Then who is l

at him wonderingly. He turned to me, and, gaining confirmation fro

e cried, still no

andon," he an

all. She sat down suddenly on the chair beside her and shuddered violently, as if she had

oo true," he an

upon us all. The thought that the culprit might walk into the room at any moment filled me w

me you are thinkin

pass between them--between her and Clarence--which, surprised me. Only i

said quietly.

; then, how she had induced us to take that unlucky road; finally, how on the road her horse had lagged and lagged behind, detaining us all when every minute was precious. The things all dovetailed into one another; each by itself was weak, but together they formed a strong scaffold--a scaffold strong enough for the hanging of a man, if she had been a man! The others appealed to me, the Duchess feverishly anxious to be assured

Duchess said presently

tched out his hand, and grasping her

return. As for that man!" she continued, obscuring suddenly the fair and noble side of her character which she had just exhibited, and which I confess had surprised me, for I had not thought her capable of a generosity so uncommon; "as for that man," she repeated, drawing herself up to her full height,

before I found my voice. Then I called out "Stay!" just in time. "You will do n

on

es ago. I saw her cross the market-place, wearing her c

her has she gone?" th

ok my

in a low voice. "I saw no

the Duchess cried reproachful

ould she go just at this time? She does not know that she is found out. She does not know th

lowed; "th

ider it. I could not see why she had taken the alarm s

," I said; "though it may

suppose you are right. I suppose something frightene

ne out from among us in this foreign land without a word of farewell, without a good wish given or received, without a soul to say God speed! The thought made me tremble. If she had died it would have been different. Now, to feel sorrow for her as for o

ge, though often afterward I recalled sadly the weary, hunted look which I had sometimes seen in her eyes when she sat l

r Anthony and Petronilla, stating that I was abroad, and was well, and looked presently to return; but not disclosing my refuge or the names of my companions. At the end of five days, Master Bertie being fairly strong again and Santon being considered unsafe for us as a permanent residence, we went under guard to Wes

joint persecutor, the great Bishop of Winchester, was dead. This last we at first disbelieved. It was true, nevertheless. Stephen Gardiner, whose vast schemes had enmeshed people so far apart in station, a

s now King of Spain and master of the Netherlands, freed from the prudent checks of his father, was inclined to pleasure her in this by giving what aid he could abroad. His Minister in the Netherlands, the Bishop of Arras, brought so much pressure to

ver a safe road into France failing, and the stock of money which the Duchess had p

ere, and offering the latter an establishment and honorable employment. The overture was unlooked for, and was not accepted without misgivings, Wilna being so far distant, and there being none of our race in that country. However, assurance of the Polish King's good f

ut profit to myself in the Pole's service, seeing something of war in his Lithuanian campaigns, and learning much of men and the world, which here, to say nothing of wolves and bears, bore ce

ur own firesides. Heaven so further it, both for our happiness and the good of the religion. Master Bertie has embarked on it, and I have taken upon myself to answer for your aid and counsel, which

aster Bertie and I landed at Lowestoft, having made the passage from Hamburg in a trading vessel of that place. We stopped only to sleep one night, and

TER

TCH'S

I said. "That

angle between two of them filled by the tall belfry of a church, were still to be made out. The east wind had driven loiterers indoors, and there was scarcely any on

orse bedchamber since,

king for Islington. Passing through the latter we began to breast the steep slope which leads to Highgate, and coming, when we h

said in a low voice. "We shall soon know wheth

faces into relief. In another, where the light poured ruddily from an open doorway, an ostler was serving out fodder, and doing so, if we might judge from the travelers' remonstrances, with a niggardly hand. From the windows of the house a dozen rays of

man to his business," he replied gruffly. "Stalls, yes; but

. With better luck than you

-he led us into a long, many-stalled stable, feebly lit by lanterns which here and there

out our work, watering, feeding, and littering down in old campaigners' fashion,

tly. "We come as linen-drapers fr

ever were atop of a horse before nor ha

," I continued, looking hard at him. "Do you ha

the house presently, and you can see for yourselves. A stable is no place for French lace." He pointed with a wink over his shoulder toward a stall in which a man, apparently

d show us in," said Ma

t. Albans three years back. But I had changed much since then, and seen much. The bailiff himself would hardly have recognized his old antagonist in the tall, heavily cloaked stranger, whose assured air, acquired amid wild surroundings in a foreign land, gave him a look of age to which I could not fairly lay cla

etorted the h

hant who came

urned the landlord. "Will

y, as the gentlemen were for No. 32. One of the crowd, however, who seemed to be crossing from the lower end of t

oman!" I said, and tur

which under hideous red lids still shone with an evil gleam--a kind of reflection of a wicked past--a thousand crows' feet had gathered. A few wisps of gray hair struggled from u

he stars. A fortune for a groat, young gentleman!" she continu

shly, "and for the fortune, I will

e ostler, indeed, would have interfered on our behalf, and returned to bid her, with a civility he had not bestowed on us, "give us passage." But she swiftly turned her eyes on him in a si

a hollow cough. "My eyes are not so clear as they were, or

ld be one able to recognize me was small indeed--I uncovered. She shot a piercing glance at my face, and looking dow

er stick round me, she quavered out in to

east, and the

ad, and steel

est, and the w

doomed the gall

and snaking her palsied head at me. "Beware, unlucky shoot of a crooked branch! Go no

tch's knowledge of the risks of our present enterprise, were enough to startle and shake the most constant mind; and in the midst of enterprises secret and dangerous, few minds are so firm or so reckless

single a religious belief that to the end of his life he always refused to put fa

an!" he said compassionately. "We shall live while God wills it, and die

perish?" sh

wills," he answ

er, and hobbled aside, muttering,

re. He opened the door for us, however, and led the way up a narrow and not too clean staircase. On the landing at the head of this he paused, and raised

lied sternly; "do you fe

er," retorted the ostler

is as good a match for him as I am for that old woman. When he w

e woman's strange knowledge. But, seeing that his exhortation had emboldened this ignorant man, I was ashamed to seem to

t coverings lay in one corner. In the middle wer

ively; a bluff, weather-beaten man with a thick beard

t to buy some lace,"

they want?"

lace," I

sing a trap door. He lifted this, and we saw a narrow shaft descending into darkness. He brought the taper and held it so as to throw a faint light into the opening. There was no ladder, but blocks of wood nailed alternately aga

squietingly to my mind. However, my foot struck the bottom before I had time to digest them, and a streak of light which seemed to issue from under a door forced my thoughts the next

ed for the moment by a blaze of light, I walked mechanically forward into a room. I made out as I advanced a group of men standing round a rude table, their figures thrown into dark relief by flares stuck in

" I an

t la

nch

ome!" was the answer given in a tone

ire," I answered promptly; and at th

ere or near the table serving for seats, appeared to be a cellar. Its dark, gloomy recesses, the flaring lights, and the weapons on the table, seemed meet and fitting surroundings for the anxious faces which were gathered about the board; for there was a something in the air which was not so much secrecy as a thing more

on, and delicate, almost womanish beauty, his sleepy dark eyes and dainty mustache suggesting a temper rather amiable than firm. But the spirit of revenge had entered into him, and I soon learned that not even Penruddocke, a Cornish knight of longer lineage than purse, was so vehement a plotter or so devoted to the cause. Looking at the others my heart sank; it needed no greater experience than mine to discern that, except three or four whom I identified as stout professors of religion, they were men rather of desperate fortunes than good estate. I learned on the instant

Bertie, taking a seat, requested to be told of the strength and plans of our associates, his businesslike manner introducing at once some

ag and the rest will be a triumphal march. The people, sick of burnings and torturings, and heated by th

gements, some promises

will join us. They are weary

ertain that they will risk their necks to amend it? You have fixed upon some secure base from

you have not come among us to talk of falling back! Let us have no talk of that. If W

e risk of being crushed in the first half hour," he said. "When a fir

plans. There are to be three risings at o

ast at him by more than one. "The late rebellion there was put down very summarily, and I sh

sly. "I will answer for him. And on the same day, while we do th

muffled and hoodwinked, was taken to the Tower by water

ale. Penruddocke was the first to recover himself. "Bah!" he exclaimed, "a fig for rumor! She is

g the report I sent a messenger to Sir Richard's house. He brought word back that Sir Richar

e have lost in Bray we have gained in Master Bertie. He will raise Lincolnshire for us, and the Duchess's tenants. There should be five hundred sto

ust not count on them either, Sir Thomas," he said firmly. "I cannot find it in my conscience to bring my wife's tenants into a plan so desperate as this appears to be. To appeal to the people generally

asonings. But this went beyond all, and there were hands which stole instinctively to daggers, and eyes which waited scowling for a signal. But Penruddocke, sanguine by nature and rendered reckless by circumstances, had still the feelings

What does this mean?" he sneered, a dangerous light in his dark eyes. "Those only are here or should be here who are willing to stake all--all, mind you--on the cause. Let us have no sneaks! L

refer to me?" Bertie rejo

cried the yo

of these gentlemen to

More words?" quoth

other! My tenants and my wife's I will not draw into an almost hopeless struggle. But my own life and my friend's, since we have obtained

risk your life, but not your lands, Mast

. "The old witch told the truth," I cried bitterly. "She said if we came hither we should perish. And perish

shouted

a in a boat in which all must sink or swim, would fall a

uddocke said, and half a do

. "But who knows we are in a boat toget

as becomes a gentleman, let him stand out--let him stand out, and I will break his neck! Fie, gentlemen, fie!" I continued, after a short pause, which I did not make too long lest Master Kingston's passion s

ngston, hold your peace. If Master Bertie will not raise his men to save his own skin, he will hardly do

in it were wanting in every element which should command success--in information, forethought, arrangement--everything save sheer audacity. When after a prolonged and miserable sitting it was proposed that all should take the oath of association on the Gospels, Master Bertie and I assented gloomi

n, anxious faces which peered the while at the document or scanned each other only to find their anxiety reflected, the flaring lights behind us, the recklessness of some and the distrust of others, the cloaks in which many

grim pleasure in the formality, "be ready to swear, gentle

d as our eyes met; and I thought with a rush of tenderness how lightly I could have dared the worst had all my associates

ngers to one another were purposely associated, the theory being that each should keep

s a slig

nruddocke sharply; "d

er, and closely cloaked. A drooping gray mustache covered his mouth, and that was almost all I made out before Sir Thomas, with some sharpness, bade him uncover. He did so with an abrupt gesture, and reaching out his ha

igh and narrow, and those lean, swarthy cheeks? Where had I before confronted that very face which now glared into mine across the book? Its look was bold and defiant, but low down in the cheek I saw a l

ears. "Let no one leave! I denounce that man!" And raising my hand I poin

uted fiercely--with th

on, or whatever you call yourself,

S A SPY AND

TER

NAND

was in my voice as I spoke. I rejoiced that vengeance had come upon him at last, and that I was its instrument. I saw the pallor of a great fear creep into his dark cheek, and read in his eyes the vicious passion of a wild beas

mpanion said after a solemn pause--for the other, breathing fast, made no answer. "He was a spy in the pay of Bishop Gardiner, when I knew him. At the Bish

to the doomed man; he forced himself to look away from me and to confront the dark ring of menacing faces which hemmed him in. The moment he did so he appeared t

ot risen under the excitement of my challenge. On being thus appealed to he looked up suddenly. "If I

" This time his tone was different.

looking contemptuously at him. "I know something ab

l Crewdson," I retorted fiercely, "

e some money, and seemed a good fellow and one that hated a mass priest. That is enough for me. As for his name, it is hi

turning again to them, and drawing himself to his full height as he addressed them, "listen, if you please! You know me, if you do not know my friend. The honor of Richard Bertie has never been challenged until to-night, nor ever will be with impunity.

e wretched man his last hope, as the ugliness of despair and wicked, impotent p

as the livid, despairing face which, unmasked and eyed by all with aversion, still defied us. Traitor and spy as he was, he had the merit of courage

g themselves upon him from behind. For a moment there was a great uproar, while the group surrounding him swayed to and fro as he dragged his captors up and down with a

me as he lay helpless. "You have been my evil angel! From the first day I saw

yourself,"

so terrible that I turned away shuddering and sick at heart. "If

Bertie and his friend came here to-night. Heaven grant it be not too late

ave for Kingston, who still

d the Cornis

t each man gave

eader continued; "

him. "A word with you apart, with our friends'

ered--yes, and some of the hardened men round me shuddered also at the awful expression in his eyes as, without moving his head, he followed the motions of the two by the door. Some faint hope springing into being wrung his

back, Master Bert

afterward. "We will meet again to-morrow at four in the afternoon instead of at eight in the evening. Until

ot at once

to-morrow at some place unknown to him? If we come here a

ers. "But do not blame me afterward if you find we have let slip a golden opportun

iding, so they had better be the two to guard him," he continued. "There is no fear that they will be inclined to let him go!" I looked at the men whom the glances of their fellows singl

hen we will deal with him, never fear! Now it is near midnight, and w

hill. It seemed laden with melancholy whispers. The wretched enterprise, ill-conceived, ill-ordered, and in its very nature desperate, to which we were in honor committed, would have accounted of itself for any degree of forebod

t off his punis

" Bertie answered briefly. "Information which may help us. A

does?" I asked. It seemed to

ith ropes round their necks know no mercy. But drowning

t is a bad bus

folly in believing the rosy accounts of men who had all to win, and nothing save their worthless lives to lose. "There is only one thing

eeting and a strange recognition. Strangest of a

it providential. Let us think of that, and be of better courage, f

the pattering of a dog than anything else. I could see nothing, but that was not wonderful

heard the sound. The next it ceased, and only the wind toying with the November leaves and sighing away

our follower had learned prudence and fallen farther behind. "Do not stop, bu

ed. "I am afraid you are righ

done?" I said,

ps we shall be able to distinguish him as he crosses the open behind us." We made the experiment; but as if our follower had divined the plan, his fo

There is too much cover close to the road

tstep behind. But when we presently pulled up to breathe our horses--or rather within a few minutes of our doing so--there it was behind us, nearer and louder

lled

as though gazing at me; a strange, distorted figure, crooked, short, and in some way, though no lineament of the face was visible, expressive of a strange and weird ma

back, and, as she moved, its terror increased, it plunged wildly. I had to give for a moment all my attention to it, and though I tried, in mere revolt against the fear which I fe

I came speedily up with him; he had

explained, trying to soothe the horse.

ay," he remarked, d

yes had not deceived me. I feared his ridicule, too, though he was not very prone to ridicule. And above all I shrank from explaining

the subject of our talk. Yet we slept well, for depression goes better with sleep than does the tumult of anticipation; and I was up early, and down in the yard looking to the horses before London was well

him, wondering if I

in I knew him, and that he was really the surly ostler from the Gatehous

iness," he answered.

ut to me. "From whom?" I

he replied, s

will not?"

t to know what sort of a kernel is in a nut, you

tened it in anyway; had taken no care either to insure its reaching its destination or to prevent prying eyes seeing the conten

"Only that it was given me for a man, and

ed me. I saw that if I had offered to return the note he would have backed out of the stable and gone off there and then as fast as his lame foot would let him. This puzzled m

which will stain you in the eyes of all Christian men, meet me two hours before noon at the cross street by St.

it; mysterious as it was, and mysteriously as it came. "Look here!" I

could make me King of England! No, nor King of Spain t

to examine the message itself. But here I fared no better. I did not know the handwriting, and there w

ave you the letter. You will not forget that, or say that you have not had it? But there!" he added to himself as he

to do so. But for the time I refrained, and explaining my absence of mind as well as I could, I presently stole away on some excuse or other, and started in good time, and on foot, into the city. I reached the rendezvous a quarter o

n o'clock had rung from more than one steeple, and I was beginning to think myself a fool for my pains, when a woman of middle height, slender and young in figure, but wearing a shabby brown cloak, and with her head muffled in a hood, as though she had the t

she murmured gently. And

nd guessed already what her business with me was. She led the way resolutely to a quiet corner. The church was empty and still, with only the scent

ted, laying her hand on my arm. "Speak

I had foreseen! Yet I tried to fe

ou know me! I am not so changed in thr

now you,

me that the dark hair was thinner on her thin temples t

d passionately. "What have you don

him?" I s

fierce accents, her hand clutching my wrist, her eyes probing

ne?" I said sullenly. "N

live?" s

know, he

ll from my wrists, the color faded out of her face, and she lowered her eyes. I glanced round with a momentary idea of escap

you done with

othing with hi

ll about them? Shall I give you the list? He is a very dangerous conspirator, is Sir Thomas Penruddocke, is he not? And that scented dandy Master Kingston! Or Master Crewdson--tell me of h

ck and trembling. H

hostage? Is that it?" with a piercing glance at my face. "Or, you have condemned him, but for some reason the sentence has no

ar glowed feebly in the warm scented air. She seemed so to turn and so to look in thankfulness, as if t

ok my

swered briskly. "He must be saved. Do you hear? He m

ok my

she said. "Well, I can

sound by sunset this evening, I will betray you all! All! I have the list here," she muttered sternly, touching h

I cried aghast, peering

y husband! Do you hear? He is my husband--my all! Do you think I have given up everything, friends and honor and sa

tly on the breast.

I mut

ped then, and I was glad of it, since the wound answered my

words crossed my mem

last night," I said. "You

tly. "Better be footsore than heartsore. Will you

ng without the

answered. "They do not know their o

ly. "And in any case I must consult Mas

ferent tone. "No. It is you must do this, and you must

hing by mysel

o say that. Listen! Listen, fool! The man whom you have condemned, whom you have left to die, is n

PTE

OMING

glarin

yourself," she continued scornfully. "A babe would have

in that wide world into which I had plunged to escape from the knowledge of his existence, had never occurred to me. Had I thought of it, it would have seemed too unlikely; and though I might have seen in Gardiner a link between us, and so have identified

his son, do you mean?" sh

e not to

wered with a

ng father and son, we had sought one another's lives during those days on t

arn it?" I asked

k I remembered the strange horror, then inexplicable, which she had betrayed; and I understood it. So it was that knowledge

d denounced him! Save him! The perspiration sprang out in beads on my forehead. If

e," I muttered, "

e until we stood together before the Figure and the Cross. The chimes above us rang eleven. A sha

turning her eyes on mine, and raising her hand s

ar," I

n the aisle, but glancing back from the door of the church I saw the small, solitary figure still kneeling in prayer. The sunshine had died away. The dusty window was colorless. Only th

his bedroom, where I found him placidly reading a book; his patient waiting in striking contrast with the feverish anxiety whic

He whistled softly, staring at me witho

ll?" he asked

; our meeting-place, and that we hold Clarence a prisoner. She w

nor greatly alarmed. "Does she intend to use

m go safe and unh

ent to it," he answer

will hang

ge in the bitterness of my last words. "Come, lad," he sa

d going to the lattice that my face might be hidden from

aven curses no one," he said. "Most of our cu

my father," I muttered. "Do you understand?

at he would help me. And that silent comprehension, that silent assurance, gave the sweetest comfort. "He must be allowed to go, then, for this time," he resumed gravely, after

e the first at the rendezvous, lest by some chance Penruddocke's orders should be anticipated; and accordingly, soon after two o'clock,

could I endure to live, with his infamy always before my eyes? Petronilla, of whom I had been thinking so much since I returned to England, whose knot of velvet had never left my breast nor her gentle face my heart--how could I go back to her now? I had thou

"Yours must not be the hand to punish your father. But after to-day you will owe him no duty. You will part from him to-day and he will be a stranger to you

ill go abroad. I wi

ed. "If good by any chance should come of it, then you shall be my brother, our family shall be your

caparisoned and in the charge of three foreign-looking men, who, lounging in their saddles, were passing a jug from hand to hand. They turned as we rode in and looked at us curiously, but not with any impertinence. Apparently the

low voice, as he rode to the opposite d

ning them over the shoulders of my horse as

on their best behavior. If half the tales we heard this morn

ning his rein to lead the way out through the north gate he passed near us, and as he settled himself in his saddle took a good look at us. The look passed harmlessly over me, but reaching Master Bertie became concentrated. The rider started and smiled faintly. He seemed to pause, then he

aking like one who had received a blow a

" I

cognized me. I met him often, years ago. I knew him again as soon as he came

asked in amazement

ure," he

sted, or at least detained? The w

a Spaniard. But come, we have the less time to lose. We must join ou

ver wished to see us again, took our horses. We went into the kitchen, and taking the first chance of slipping up

arly, so as to be gone early. Penruddocke indeed was not here yet, but Kingston and half a score of others were sitting about conversing in low tones.

alked in whispers and started at the slightest sound. I glanced round. The one I sought for with eager yet shrinking eyes was not

"He is in there. He is safe enough!" He pointed, as he

f bad news for you nevertheless. Firstly I have just been recogni

doing here?" they cried, one boldly, the othe

e took no steps to detain or arrest me I ca

m. The wolfish look which fear brings i

bad news?" said Ki

mes, and knows our meeting-place and our plans. She threatens to

rved his composure. "We might have been prepared for that," he said quietly.

ger and heard the terms. The m

e will not go straight with his p

nd if we set him free could take none save his word. His word! Could even

ise course was to dispose of the principal witness, both in the interests of justice and our own safety, and then shift for ourselves

he same either way,"

ring looks of those round him showed that numbers were with him. "This fellow can hang us all. His accomplice who escapes can know nothing s

t," Bertie urged, "un

h the full assent of all. It only remains to carry out the sentence. Surely this gentleman," he continue

t," I said,

ss of his own question. "Then may we ask for your reasons, sir? Last night you could not

time for fine feeling, for sympathy, for appreciation of the tragic, unless it touched themselves. What chance had I with them, though I was a son pleading for a father? Nay, what argume

ston, with a cynical bow, said, "Your reasons, sir?" I stood mute and trembling. If I kept silence, if I refused to give my reasons, if I did not acknowledge the prisoner, but merely begged his life, he would die, and the connection between us would be known o

e had deserved death. I had given him up in perfect innocence. Had I any right to call on

? I remembered in time the oath I had sworn, and when Kingston repeated his question, I answered him quickly. "I did not know yesterday who he was," I said. "I have discovered since

ree. They gazed at me with awed, wondering faces, and murmured "His father!" in low tones. They were recalling the scene of last night, the moment when I ha

e first to become thoroughly himself again--"why should we all die for him?" The wolfish glare came back fast to their eyes. They handled their weapons impatiently. They were longing to be away. At this moment,

ing your necks into the

I will myself promise you that if he refuse to remain with us until midnight, or tries wherever we are to rai

, "it will not! A bird in the

outside?" sai

two we shall be in hiding. Come, the lot must be

awing pieces of paper at the table. My every thought was taken up with the low door over there, and the wretched man lying bound in the darkness behind it. What mu

again to their task. Master Bertie alone stood apart, his arms folded, his face grave and dark. He too had abandoned hope. There seemed no hope, when suddenly there came a knocking at the door. The papers were dropped, and while some stood as if stiffened into stone, others

on. "If you can see through a two-inch p

ist, his eyes sparkling, his ruddy cheeks aglow. He crossed the threshold with a swagger, and looking at us all burst into a strange peal of laughter. "Yoicks

guarded the room above. "What does this mean, Sir Thomas?" Kingston said sternly. He thought, I fancy

"Except good fat posts," he continued, smacking Master Bertie on the shoulder, "for loyal men who have done the state service, a

far that way already,

ews!" Penruddocke replied more so

aker--how should we who were plotting against her feel for her, we who were for the most part homeless and proscribed throug

s named the Princess Elizabeth her successor, and even now Cecil is drawing up the proclamations. To show that the game is real

Queen!" Men over whom the wings of death had seemed a minute ago to be hovering, dar

r miters. Pole is said to be dying. Bonner is more likely to hang himself than burn others. Up and out and play the man! Away to

nd laughing, a reckless, good-natured crew, looking to a man as if they had never known fear or selfishness--as if distrust were a

his hand to the door at the far end of the cellar, and I saw that the key was in

TER

FAT

room above, and silence followed; a silence in strange contrast with the bright glare of the torches which burned round me and lit up the empty cellar as for a feast. I was wondering what he woul

lood to my face. Before I could turn the key the hasty summons was repeated, and grew to a frantic, hurried drumming on the boards--a sound which plainly told of terror suddenly conceived a

oor was flung open from wit

kness of despair had worked changes. His hair was grayer; in patches it was almost white, and then again dark. He had gnawed his lower lip, and there were blo

und, "I thought they had left me to starve

was empty, the farther door leading to the shaft open. An open door! To him doubtless it see

"What were they shouting ab

simply, "or dead, and you can d

ning against the wall, his eyes w

eaven a living man!" I paused. For a moment I could not continue. Then I add

lous, and looked from me to the open door and back again as if without

?" he murmured.

fe," I answered; "but they

he com

elf with an effort and stood up.

others would not listen to them. You would have been dead now, though I did a

is

e matter, for I saw he doubted, "rode through here this after

ly risk and hazard had so hardened this man that I was certain, as I watched him, that he was not praying nor giving thanks. He was already pondering how he might make the most out of the chan

ur eyes met. We ga

hy did they leave you? Why were you the o

not Carey,

then?" he ask

I answer

ry could not cope with this surprise. "Cludde,"

s questioning eyes, "my name is Cludde. So is yours. I tried

, as it seemed to me, would strike him to the

ied. "What di

Francis Cludde, the son whom you deserted many year

. He stared at me with astonished eyes for a min

said coolly. "And how long h

n my memory--in my memory, not in his. I recalled his treachery to the Duchess, his pursuit of us, his departure with Anne, the

at last. "Things might have been differe

t recalled to my mind wh

us," I answered firmly. "What duty I owe t

ave you tol

e it only that, knowing it, we may go different ways. We have nea

cynical face a gleam of kindliness and pride as he scanned me. We were almost of a height--I the taller b

ink on the whole I am pleased. You talked of Providence just now"--this with a laugh of serene amusement--"and perha

could never be that

but only harm. You are ashamed of me. Well, wait," he continued, nodding confidently. "Do not be too sure that I ca

m, he denied its power and took the glory to himself. I did not know what to say to him, how to undeceive him, how to te

er pondering a moment with his

nd the Protestant religion! The down will be up and the up down, and the Protestan

h a crafty smile, h

derstand," I

nd as obstinate as a mule. He will need but to be pricked up a little, and he will get into

fierce wrath and abhorrence? "Do you think that will benefit you?" I cried. "Do you think that you ar

ftily, not put out by my indig

ate. But Providence has not given me back my son for nothing. I am not alone in the worl

mean?" I sa

es half-shut, his head on one side. The

and he has friends upon the winning side who will not see him lose a chance, should a chan

en have recovered more quickly from despair? Could the best of men, their plans failing, have begun to spin fresh webs with equal patience? Could the most courageous and faithful of those who h

me when he had g

ked in a matter-of-fact tone, as one m

ed by some desperate blow when he was seized. He fastened it on with an oath. I could not look at the sword wit

ew leaf, and begin returning good for evil. Do you go to your fr

iskly away, and I heard him

ieve that I had met and spoken to my father, and told him I was his son--and this was all! I could hardly believe that he had gone away with this knowledge, unmoved and unrepentant; alike unwarned by the Providence which had used me to

wish to be closely questioned, and the account I gave him of the interview might at another time have seemed disjointed and i

the Duchess over," he said. "This news se

nly," I

of the Spanish faction, and of some of the council, will lie in giving trouble. To avoid this, we should show our st

I cried in

go myself at this crisi

I will,"

r rule under which England had groaned for five years and more was coming to an end. If in a dozen towns of England they roped their bells afresh; if in every county, as Penruddocke had prophesied, they got their tar-barrels ready; if all, save a few old-fashioned folk and a few gloomy bigots and hysterical women, awoke as from an evil dream; if even sensible men saw in the comin

e warm instead of creaking in the wind! Thinking of this, I fell into a better frame of mind as I jogged along toward London. For what, after all, was my father to me, that his existence should make me unhappy, or rob mine of all pleasure? I had made a place f

*

ome back," said my lady, turning to s

t the last trophies of Hainault Forest, and seemed, as it whistled by our ears and shaved our faces, to grudge us the shelter to which we were hastening. The long train behind us--for the good times of which we had talked so often had come--we

will not go back, but will go on making yourself and some one else unhappy. You will do nothing of the kind,

hat things are

having a sister with a dozen serving-men in her train. Leave it to me. And now, thank Heaven, we are

who had been warned by an outrider to expect

rough the kitchen, where there was indeed a great fire, but no chimney,

I have seen three--and there was pretty shouting at old King Harry's, but not like this. Such a fair young queen, men report, with a look of the sto

," quoth my lady

the Duchess, as I turned to the blazing hearth. "If there

logs together--"to speak of, that is, your worship. I do hear to-day of a little tro

the act of taking off my cloak, by the

len foul of her Grace's orders about church matters, and beaten the officers sent to see them carried out; and tha

al misgiving in my mind. Warwickshire was large; an

hing his head, "but I cannot call it to mi

ir Anthon

aimed, clapping his hands in wonder.

hed up my hat and whip. But the Duchess was a

he said imperiously. "

orse at once and ride Warwickshire way with all speed. It is possible that I may be i

d placidly. "You sh

mpatiently. "But time

re than if the thing had happened three years ago, before you met me. But to-morrow--when you have seen the Secretary of State, as

and taking her hand, for I saw in a moment the wisd

ncle if there be any power in England can save him. You shall have it, Frank," she added, her color ri

TER

HONY'S

, which is plainly visible from the road. Though he had already drunk that day as much ale as would have sufficed him for a week when the queen was well, yet much wants more. He calculate

s hand and his dogs behind him, to take the air before supper. The man, while he was still a hundred

aid Sir Anthony to hims

houted the messenger,

ight s

ter a while. And he took off

in since!" swore the knave, who had been three days on the road, and had d

ly, still in somewhat of a maze. "And do yo

ormula by heart, and was not to

espect for the knight, he slipped from his sad

mishap. The tidings he had heard seemed of such importance, and he was so anxious to tell them to his household--for the greatest men have weaknesses, an

iddle of the courtyard, and raising his voice, shouted for his daughter. "Ho, Petronilla! do you hear, girl! Father! Father Carey! Mart

ng silence which followed; while Martin Luther and Baldwin, who were washing t

! Long live Queen Elizabeth!" he continued, having

when any matter great or small fell out, whether this would affect the fortunes of a certain person far away. It might, it might not; she did not know. But the doubt so far entertained h

writer was well and sent his love and duty, and looked to return, all being well. But, meager as they were, and loud as he swore over them, he put them religiously away in an oak-chest in his parlor; and another always put away for her share something else, which was invariably inclosed--a tiny swallow's feather. The knight never said anything about the fea

n these days, which she never, God bless her, lost afterward. There came from Wootton Wawen and from Henley in Arden and from Cookhill gentlemen of excellent estate, to woo her. But they al

ommon clay house-martin's nest. But it was so deftly hung in a netted bag, and so daintily swathed in moss always green, and the Christmas roses and snowdrops and violets and daffodils which decked it in turn were always so pur

evotion, been properly criticised, before another surprise fell upon the household. Two strangers arrived, riding late one evening, and rang the great bell whil

for the stick which usually leaned against his seat ready for

stout, dour man, not much afraid of his master, bu

gate found a man and a woman standing in the dusk. He walked up to the former a

u--no more," was the answer. "Give me this," the stranger continued, "which every

l and supper. Go and eat and drink. Or, stay!" he resumed. And he turned and gave some orders to Baldwin, who w

of you," said

t. "You can come to my room when you have supped," he said,

o you not t

ight, albeit he had eaten litt

aid haughtily that his wife would sup in her own room; and with a flashing eye and curling lip, bade Baldwin see to it. Then, seating himself in a place next Sir Anthony's, he looked down the board at which all sat silent. His sarcastic eye, his high bearing, his manner--the manner of one who had gone long with his life in his hand--awed th

r, and from each walk and ride came back with a more gloomy face and a curter manner. Petronilla, his companion of old, found herself set aside for her uncle, and cast, for society, on Ferdinand's wife, the strange young woman with the brilliant eyes, whose odd changes from grave to gay rivaled Martin Luther's; and who now scar

mind troubled. He learned to see that the accession of the young Protestant queen must bear fruit for which he had a poor appetite. He began to spend many hours in the church--the church which he had known all his life--and wrestled much with himself--if his face were any index to his soul. Good, kindly man, he was not of the stuf

n seeming went on as before--when the queen's orders enjoining all priests to read the service, or a great part of it, in Englis

do?" Ferdinand a

on the terrace by the fish-pool, with the church which adjoins the house full in view across the garden. "I will have no mushroom faith at Coton End," the knight continued warmly. "It sprang

younger man answered, n

anged in my day? Heaven forbid! The old fashion did for my fathers; it shall do for me. Why, I would as soon expect that the river yonder should flow backward as that the church which has s

was. Ferdinand showed himself always the cautious doubter. Father Carey even must have done him that justice. But--and this was strange--the more doubtful he showed himself

n our time?" cried Si

?" quoth th

led Lollards who gave trouble a while ago. But they passed, and the c

rience certainly,

r at Coton is of stone--the old yew trees in the churchyard. "I do not believe in it, and, what is more, I will not h

ot change with the yo

he old knight sharply.

er than he did, for the proof of the pudding is in the eating. But in him and his fellows, who had only the knowledge of their own day, such arguments were natural enough

he presently strolled up to the house with a smile on his saturnine f

was full. Seldom had such a congregation been seen in it. But all passed as of old. Father Carey's hand shook, indeed, and his voice quavered; but he went through the ceremony of the mass, and all was done in Latin. A little change would have been pleasant, some thought. But no one in this country place on the borders of the forest held very strong views. No bishop had come heretic-hunting to Coton End. No abbey existed to excite

knight sent back an answer by the same messenger. The sheriff replied, the knight rejoined--having his brother always at his elbow. The upshot of the correspondence was an announcement on the part of the sheriff that he should send his officers to the next service, to see that the queen's order was obeyed; and a reply on the part of Sir

marked the border of the forest. He did not talk, but neither was he sunk in reverie. As he entered each field he stood and scanned it, at times merely nodding, at times smiling, or again muttering a few words such as, "The three-acre piece! My father inclosed it!" or, "That is where Ferdinand killed the old mare!" or, "The best land for wheat on this side of the house!" The hill climbed, he stood a long time gazing over the landscape, eying first the fields and meadows which stretched away from his feet toward the house; the latter, as seen from this point, losing all its stateliness in the mass of stacks and ricks and ba

o himself as to the girl. "It is all

all the way home he still looked sharply about, noting this or that, as if he were bidding farewell to the old familiar objects, the spinneys and copses--ay, an

TER

LAST

from the outer world by the wide-spreading Chase, and close-massed with the homestead, Sir Anthony had some excuse for considering it as much a part of his dem

and, free from care, had taken pleasure in each bonnet doffed and each old wife's "God bless ye, Sir Anthony!" Well, those days were gone. Now the rain dripped from the eaves--for a thaw had come in the night--and the bells, that could on occasion ring so cheerily, sounded sad and forlorn. His daughter, when she came, according to custom, brin

Anthony, and sturdy fellows, as all Clopton's men are

men cannot meet Clopton men the times are indeed gone mad! Make way and let me come! Though the

alked through them with a gloomy brow. His brother followed him, a faint smile flickering about the corners of his mouth. Then came Ferdinand's wife and Petronilla, the latter with her hood drawn c

tin replied in a cynical whisper. "She is w

his companion angrily. "I

ir profession! You see, brother?" And he deliberately cut a caper. His eyes were glittering, and the nerves on one side of his face twi

strangers, pressed in behind him until every seat was filled. Even the table monument of Sir Piers Cludde, which stood lengthwise in the aisle, was seized upon, and if the two similar monuments which stood to right and left below the chancel steps had not been under the knight's eyes, they too would have been invaded. Yet all was done decen

of the chancel. The marble crusader to the left matched the canopied bed of Sir Anthony's parents on the right; the Abbess's tomb in the next row faced the plainer monument of Sir Anthony's wife, a vacant place by her side awaiting his own effigy. And there were others

the crowd cried suddenly, ringing harshly and strangely above the Fa

of the voice. Then it was seen that the Clopton men had massed themselves about the door in the southwest corner--a strong position, whence retreat was easy.

man cried sharply, while his fellows raised a

ed with anger. The interruption taking place there,

trembling on his staff; and all the old

ed by his fellows that he could not be

lf of the sheriff; and I warn all present that a continuation of this service will expose them to grievous pa

the queen's right or title, he had no reasonable answer to give, and could only bluster. "Begone, do you

ead as to proceed to extremities except in the last resort. Affecting to consider the incident at an end, he stepped back into his pew without w

zen lines before the same man made the co

Sir Anthony in a

l!" retorted

rom Sir An

ed as much for his patron as for himself; and it was on the knight that his eyes finally rested. But Sir Anthony's brow was black; he got no comfort there. So the Father took courage and a long breath, opened his mouth and read on, amid the hush of suppressed excitement, and of such anger and stealthy defiance as sur

according to custom, as he passed. Yet under that increase of respect lay a something which cut the old man to the heart. He saw that his dependents pitied him while they

treason in this, it would not have been easy for a Solomon to choose a consistent path. And Sir Anthony was no Solomon. He chose at last to carry himself as if there were no danger--as if the thing which had happened we

after breakfast next morning, looking pale and heavy-eyed, and, breaking th

at her. Then his feelings found their easiest vent in anger.

il. Indeed she had

she answered earnestly. "They will not

n? The

e loved order and discipline; and to be advised in su

our heads together! Go! Go and spin, and leave these maters to men! Do you think that my brother, after traveling the wo

t Petronilla did not go. She had something else to say an

," she murmured.

ll! What

, her color rising. "The servants do not like him.

r Anthony answered

ight strode to the window, but the noise appeared to come, not from the Chase upon which it looked, but from the courtyard or the rear of the house. Sir Anthony caught up his stick, and, followed by the g

tood as many stout men on foot, headed by Baldwin and armed with pikes and staves. These seemed to be taunting the cavaliers and daring them to come on. On the wooden bridge by which the knight stood were half a

ion. Probably he had intended to force an entrance; but he had laid aside the plan when he saw his only retreat menaced by the watchful Baldwin, who was not to be caught napping. The knight took all this in at a glance, and his gorge rose as much at the

"in Heaven's name do not carry the thing farther

ed horrified; but the damage was done and could not be undone. Nay, more, the Coton men took the sound for a signal. With a shout, before Sir Anthony could interfere, they made a dash for the group of horsemen. The latter, uncertain and hampered by the

the end the impetus of the horses told, the footmen gave way and fled aside, and the strangers passed them. A little more skirmishing took place at the gateway, Sir Anthony's men being deaf to all his attempts to call them off; and then the Clopton horse got clear, and, shaking their fists and vo

ead horse, and comprehended what had happened. "This is a hanging business! In arms against the Queen! What am I to

Ferdinand, though he thought the event unlucky, had little to say and less to suggest; and seemed, indeed, to have become on a sudden flaccid and lukewarm. Sir Anthony felt himself thro

e been Martin Luther

aring the shot fired, he had arrived too late for the fight. The fool's stomach for a fight was so well known that this seemed probable enough, and th

to hiding, she found his mood had altered. "Go to the Mere Farm?" he said, not angrily now, but firmly and quietly. "No, girl, I cannot. I have been in fault, and

stern, down-looking st

all the tenants--who have indeed been called out without my orders. Bid them go and keep the peace, and I ho

ony?" the steward asked, a

re," the knight re

en," said Baldwi

l," said

d his shoulders

an?" asked Sir

ring at him with a flush on his dark cheek. "That is wha

y. "You have been in arms against the Queen, you

hout one to keep him company. To hear of it would make my grandsire turn in his grave out there.

on before. The rain pattered drearily in the courtyard. The drawbridge, by Baldw

he muttered. "And if we must surrend

ay and the next. Could the sheriff be going to overlook the matter? Alas! on the third day the doubt was resolved. Two or three boys, who had been sent out as scouts, came in with news that there was a strong watch set on the Ridgeway, that the paths through the forest were guarded, that bodies of armed men were arriving in the neighboring villages, and that soldiers had been demanded--or so it was said--from Warwick and Worcester, and even from a place as far away as Oxford. Probably it was only

dden any one to leave the house--Martin made off with a grim chuckle toward the forest, and following the main track leading toward Wootton Wawen, presently came among the trees upon a couple of sentinels. They heard him, saw him indistinctly, and made a rush for him. But this was just the sport Martin liked, and the fun he had come for. His quick ear apprised him of the danger, and in a second he was lo

it, is it? And only one! If they will come one by one, like

ife, as keen as his wits--when they were at home, which was not always. He drew it out now, and under cover of the darkness crept nearer and nearer, his blood glowing pleasantly, though the night was cold. How

t made a slight noise on the plank, and under cover of it the fool rose and ran forward, then followed him over with the stealthiness of a cat. And like a cat too

TER

NG THE

scared and trembling, and for a few seconds looked into one another's faces. Then, as curiosity got the upper hand, the boldest took the lead and all hurried pell-mell to

toward the rear of the house. Sure enough, close to the edge of the moat, they found Martin, stooping with his hands on h

tin, seeming to become conscious of their presence, looked at th

tronilla, clinging to her father's arm, but Mistress Anne, her face pale and gloomy, and h

ying his hand on Martin's arm and slightly

down something and turning a dull eye on th

"A swallow, man!" he cried aloud. "Come, talk sense. There are no swallows flying at this time of year. And if there were, they do not fly by night, nor

muttered. "Ay, 'twas a swallow, a great bi

n the face?" Baldwin said, wi

y. "Ay, 'twas so. A great big swallow,

Poor fellow!" he said; "Baldwin, see to him.

urt himself," Baldw

disregarding the interruption. "And now come

s not of affright, but of eager, avid questioning, while through her parted lips her breath came in gasps. Her cheek was red and white by turns, and, for her heart--well, it had seemed to stand still a moment, and now was beating like

orse-ponds. She only knew of one swallow whose return was possible in winter. But then that one swallow--ay, though the snow should lie inches deep in the chase, and the water should freeze i

d he stood a little apart, and seemed more deeply engaged in listening for any sound which might betoken the sheriff's approach than in hearkening to their conversation. Listen as he might he would have gained little from the latter, for it was made up entirely of scolding on one s

ed? What is the meaning of it all?" Ferdinand persisted, his keen

he said grimly. "I never knew a man save Sir Anthony or Master Francis hit Martin yet, but he pai

tfully, shivering a little. It was unlike him to

d answered. "Ay, he is

t, and the knight's brother, reassured and yet uneasy, turned on his heel and went into the house, meeting at the door a servant who came to tell him that Sir An

as there any answering merriment. Baldwin, coming in, cursed the servants who were in his way, and the men moved meekly and without retort, taking his oaths for what they were--a man's tears. The women folk sat listening pale a

y, setting his heavy wet boot on a glowing log, w

n took on himself to answer

less, and could only make matters worse, and twist the rope more tightly about his neck, to put the thought as he framed it. The suspicion, therefore, that this madman--for

the house," he said slowly and oracularly, his eyes on Baldwin's boot, "whom he has just as go

gaffer?" Baldwin a

ping forward to caress his toasting shins. "Be you very sure of that. Nor the young mistress, nor the

" cried the stew

saints have not got their backs t

d, well used to this rustic metho

one; for at this moment a man who had be

torches enough for St. Anthony's Eve. Get you to the gat

inished speaking, a harsh challenge which penetrated even the courtyard arose from many voices without, and was followed by the

sound kick, and disregarding Sir Anthony's voice, which came from t

g him back. There were a score of dark figures standing in the little close where the fight had taken place. "

rtin, who with a companion was making, but a

on the back as he passed, "you are here, are you? I nev

moment was under the gateway, where Sir Anthony was soundly rating everybody, and particularly the porter, who with his key in the door found or affected to find the task of turning it a difficult one. As the steward came up, however, the

. By its light he and those behind him could make out a group of half a dozen figures a score of yards away, while in support of these there appeared a bowshot off, and still in the open ground

thony Cludde?"

a

urrender. I hold a warrant for your arrest, and also for the arrest of James Carey, a priest, and Ba

ht asked. For at that distance and in

dshed and further cause for offense. Sir Thomas Greville, the governor of Warwick Castle, and Colonel Br

moment into the semblance of dark Baldwin's; the faces of men, who though they numbered but a dozen were his men, bound to him by every tie of instinc

nd cried clearly, "I accept your good offices, Sir Philip, and I take your advice. I will have the drawbrid

the men went reluctantly, and that all who could find any excuse to do so lingered round Sir Anthony as if they could not bear to abandon him; as if, even at the last moment, they had some vague notion of protecting their master at all hazards. A score of lanterns sh

ave made resistance and have not. My tenants are quiet in their homes, and only my servants are present. Father Carey is not here, nor

I will do all I can," the sher

--it was Sir Thomas Greville's--"and she but a month on the throne! For shame, Sir Anthony

and were the times quiet, the matter would have been of less moment, S

Greville said bluntly, "and you have

miliation. "What will you do with me, gentlemen?" he a

ver-riding his companion. "For to-night we mus

ave, Sir Thomas Greville," quoth

forget the joy and lively gratitude which filled my heart as I spoke; which turned the night into day, and that fantastic scene of shadows into a festival, as I felt that the ambition of the last fo

ho does not quite understand his place or the state of affairs here. Stand

disclosed me standing by Martin's side, I turned a little from Sir Anthony and faced Greville. "Not this time, I think, Sir Thomas," I said, giving him back glance for glance. "I have learned

he cried angrily

answered, with a courteous bow. "Come back, I than

es there flashed a strange light, while many of them hailed me in a tone which told me that I had but to give the word, and they would fall on the very sheriff himself. "Master Francis,

g of the old boyish ring in my voice, "I have been, since I saw you last, to Belgi

nk of you," he replied dry

friend!" said Greville with harshnes

drew out a little packet of parchment with a great red seal hanging from it by a green ribbon; just such a packet as that which I had stolen from the Bish

hoped for, nor any but a man who had tried the chances and mishaps of the world could fully enjoy as I was enjoying it. I tingled with the rush through my veins of triumph and gratitude. Up to the last moment I had feared lest anything should go wrong, lest this crowning h

rning the packet over and over. "It is fo

en it then, sir,"

tered. Then he ran his eye down the brief contents, while all save myself pricked their ears and pressed closer, and I loo

r?" I cried with a laugh, when he had had

in his voice, "you are free! I congratulate you on your luck. Your nephew has brought an amnesty for all things done up to the present time save for any life taken, in which case

nother horse, Sir P

port of the paper was understood; a shout which made the old house shake again, and scared the dogs so that they fled away into corners and gazed askanc

his hat. "Lads!" he cried huskily, rearing his tall form in our midst

thinking the end of the world was come. My heart, as I joined roundly in, swelled high with pride, and there were tears in my eyes as well as in my uncle's. But there is no triumph after all without its drawback, no fruitio

d and express himself pleased that the matter had ended so happily. Then the sheriff drew him and Bridgewater away, to look to their men's

d forgotten her, dear lad. I wish now that she had stayed. But tell

ening--I asked again after Petronilla. "Where has she gone, sir?" I said, trying to conceal my impa

s safer away, Francis. And she can be fetched back in the morning. I feared there might be some disturbance in t

r?" I stammered,

an hou

fficulty in slipping through from the outside myself, well as I know every field and tree. To escape f

d indulgent--which seemed to add, "You think yoursel

ee," he explained, "as soon as I heard the sheriff's party out

direction of the village. I remembered vaguely that I had heard from the servants in old days some talk of a secret o

er. He quite agreed in the wisdom of sending her away, and indeed advised it. On reaching the mill, if they found all quiet they were to walk across to Wa

at Sir Anthony's folly, or my own anger and disappointment--and fear. For though my head seemed on fire and there was a tumult in my br

e knight answered, noticin

ould have known, and for his wife, she is a bad, unscrupulous w

emble. "Your father is a changed man, lad. He has com

y love was in danger? He had had no mercy and no pity. Why should I shrink from exposing him? Heaven had dealt with him patiently and given him life; and he did but abuse it. I could keep silence no longer, and told Sir Anthony all with a stingin

oes not change its spots. How you, who knew him years ago, and knew that he had plotted ag

ght murmured, leaning white

--heaven help

TER

BOR AT

ergy from the prostration into which my story had thrown him. "I will send after her. She shall

artin down to the mill!" Sir Anthony ordered curtly. "Bid him tell my daughter if she be there to come back. And do you saddle a couple of horses, and be ready to rid

added eagerly, turning to him. My thoughts, busy with the misery which might befall

he gateway, I knew that no hound could be more sure, I knew that he would not leave the trail until he had found Petronilla, though he had to follow her f

e, "You will go of course?" speaking

sir. Or Baldwin can be trusted. He can take two or three of

e to let her go, and harm should happen between us. If I were right in my suspicions, and he had capped his intrigue by deliberately getting the girl I loved into his hands as a hostage, either as a surety that I would share with him if I succeeded to the estates, or as a me

, though his words seemed intended to combat my

thing. If he should elude us and take her abroad with him--heaven he

th a trembling hand. "Baldwin

mph! "You had better go in, sir," I said presently, gaining a little mastery over myself. "I see Sir Phil

ou?" h

answered, sh

hum of the servants as they called to one another, the hurrying footsteps of the maids. A dog crept out, and licked my hand as it hung ner

outs were known. I had had experience of his daring, his cunning, his plausibility. Had he not taken in all with whom he had come into contact, except, by some strange fate, myself. To be sure Anne was

ar, much as I had done on the last evening I had spent at Coton. Then a fancy seized me, and turning from the fish-pond I walked toward the house. Crossing the moat I made for the church door and tried it.

, which seemed rather a sigh or an audible shudder than any articulate word, came out of the darkness in front of me. My great trouble had seemed to make superstitious fears for the time impossible, but at this sou

rise from my seat, my hair stiffening. Then I saw the outline of the east window growing brighter and brighter, an

tching me. The face I could not see--it was in shadow--and I stood transfixed, gazing at the figure, half in superstitious terro

knowing and yet disbelieving, hoping

rose and glided toward me through the moonlight. "It is I, Petronil

*

the house full of uproar, and apparently occupied by strange troopers. Aghast and not knowing what to do, she had bethought herself of the church and there taken refuge. On my first entrance she was horribly alarmed. But as I walke

told it, many of them for themselves, and their children are growing up to tell it. I think in some odd corner of the house there may still be found a very ancient swallow's nest, which young girls

ound. The track between Watney's farm and Stratford, however, runs for a certain distance by the river; and at some point on this road I think Martin must have come up with the refugees, and failing either to find Petronilla with them, or to get any satisfactory account of her, must have flung himself on my father and been foiled and killed. The exact truth I have said was never known, though Bald

that he died as a brave man should; for he had that virtue. He held no communication with me or with any at Coton End later than that which I have here described; but would appear to have entered the service of Cardinal G

d settled in Lowestoft under the Duchess of Suffolk's protection, and did well and flourished as became them; nor indeed did they find, I trust, others ungrateful, though I experienced some difficulty in inducing Sir Anthony to treat the Dutch burgher as on an equality with himself. Lord Willoughby de Eresby, the Peregrine to whom I stood godfather in St. Willibrod's church at

great foes defeated, and strong friends gained. We have seen the coinage amended, trade doubled, the Exchequer filled, the roads made good, the poor provided for in a Christian manner, the Church grown st

E