10 T1TE OMATTA DATLY SUNDAY , ATUTST 8 , 1807. lly STANLBY J. WBYMAM , . \ Tx "ji\Ci\ > i\ > \ * i\T > T\ * i\ vi\ i\ i CHAI'TKH XX I The clock hsil gone inl < lnUht wlion. if'rr ' parting from Maty at UIGioor of ilio home , I roptil myay up tai- i ti my loom , and j tlit < AvlnK oft my rlu-'iw liy Jivn , not 10 ikcp , but to revel o c.i lU"slj unil fntllcly I Ilio iilntiB wo had made nnd the risks v\e inn nd the thoiHainl IMIICS tint mls'it conic of I either CoKltnllon litouRht mo mi ni-aiur lo k , Kncmle-ilgo of the mrilt , but tiuly licatod my brnln nnd Increased 'my Impatience. the j latter to wicli a ilegi3 fhit v Ith the liiut I llplit I vva n\i \ and moving , ni.l had my ! trunk packed , nor did I fall lu notu I ho itiniiRU and almost Inncdlblo turn vvhlcli no\v lud mu to look for support lu uiy lllght to the vcl > person whoso oninious tntianco twenty-four hours' earlier lul foiled me to lay aside the thougnt LOUR bcforu U toitltl by any chance \je \ nccetinry , J opened my door and softly LIU lying out my box , plated U In n ( lark corner on the landing After this a great Interval clapsuit , iluiliiR which 1 conjured up a hundred mis- clianccj At IciiKth 1 lioanl some one afoot oppcsltp , nml then the HtumbllnB tuind of a portur carrjliifi KoocH down the stalra About II 1 > entitled to poop out und IcarnuJ with oatlHfactlon that the trunk had vanished. It only lemnlned. thcrefoic , fai mu tj do the same UustovvliiK a lust look on the Ilttlo attic which had bcon m > home "o long , nnd until lutcb no unhippy home I too ) ; up in ) hal und elo.ik , and ha\lti | , ' mailo MIIC foi thc nftleth Umi that I had my Hinull htock of inoni'j hidden In my clotliM , I opined the dooi , nnd stealing out , HtooJ a uilnuto to listen bifoie I ilcsctndeO. 1 heard nothing to nlaim me , jet a second lutcr shrieked In affright nnd almost tank donn undu the mttlle.n ( grip of n hand on mshouldei. . The haul was Pe-.truson's , who , listening , douDtlrai , at my chiimboi dooi had lio.inl mo nuve ton aid it nnJ Jlattfiied lilnibclf. ngaliv the wall beslile It ; unil to , being In the daik corner furthest from the etalicase , had eluded my notice. Ifi > chuckled vastly at his own cunning and the1 flight he had glMn me , and , locking mete to and fie , asKcd mo grlmlj what I had dorie.lth . my line clothes and my wig. 'lkAj ' , and that Ife not all , " he continued. " 1 shall want to ki ow a little more about that matter , m > filond And mind you , Mu Price , the truth The truth or I will wring this tender cai of jours fiom your head Par the present , however , that nutter may wall I shall have It when 1 want it. Now I have othci work for jou. Come 4uto my loom. " " "I am going to the tavern , " I said , do'per- nte.1) . And I hung back "Afterward , Mr. ' ' 0h , to the tavsin , " he ausweied , mluilck- ln'me "Andloi what:1 1 ' ' .M > dinner , " 1 faltered. f Ili < bniat Into a volley of oaths , and eel/Ing mg again bj the ahoultlci , run me Into hla rdoni. "Voui dinner , Indetd , jou dirty , low boui pcddlei , " he cried In a fury. "Who arb > ou to dine at taveine when the Ulng'9 birlnisa wants jon ? Stand jou there und I' Uu to me , for by the God above me , you hAll never tal > c melt or drink again. Do Jrbu see this , ciaven9" and hi ; plucked out his" lion Ibln here pistol and nourished the mii77le lu mj face "Mail : It , and lemeinber tURt" I am reigusrn , the famous reigusoti , jVigL-Gon , the plotter , und no little pertion lo b thwarted And now listen to me. " * i ddttlil have wept with rage und de.ipair , ktrowlng that with every moment this wretch Itojjt me my chance of fulfilling the appolnt- fmiU at CleiKc'uwcll Gate -was pacing , and that If he detained me only one-half hour longer , I must bo late , nnd , the baggage brjng alicady dispatched , the girl and I mfght bo ruined. To the plitol , however , and hLs econllng , 'tiuculent , blotched face- that , lacking the wig , which hung on a chair beside him , was one drguo more ugly WAS Tlin MAN' WHO NOW CO.V- ruoNTnn I-KUCUSON. than Itusont there was no answer to lu > nyilo ; nnd I ealil fiullenly that I would listen. "You hnd better , " ho answered. "Maik jou , there ! fi u gentleman coming to bee me. And to hid coin Ing and to vhat he sayti ' to > Tlnb'l will have a vvltrrss. You follow me ? " | Vie. " 1 bald miserably , looking around , but , in vain , for a way of escape "And jou are tlu > witness. You thall po IntM'that room , mark jou , nnd jou jlmll but ns mute as a inonuo ! I put tills little cupboaid open , the back la thin and there Is a" crack In It ; get your rye to that and jou'will ecu him And took you , listen to Bvry word , and note U ; and keep etHl keep htlll , or It will be the worse for jou , Mi Trice ! " "Very well , " I nld , obediently , hope- springing up , as I thought I .saw a way o ( escape , "And what tlmo must I bo hort ? " "You nro here , and jou will taj here , " he answered , da hlng to DIP ground the fccai ce-born plan. "Why , man , ho may come any minute. " "Still , If I could go out for for two min utes , " I perelbtcd , "I should be easier " " ( Jo outl Oo out ! " he crlei , Interrupting mo In a furj , "And dinners ? And taverns ? AUjl you would bo easier ? , IVje know , Mr. Price , I have my doubts about jou ! Ay , 1 ha\i > ' " lie continued , leering at me with hhrunning ) cjes , and now thrusting his fncu I * / * ( iQt-p to mine , now drawing It bark again "Are jou for nolllng u , I wondor. Mind ynu , If that Is jour thought , two can pUy at" that game , and I have writing of JOUIE A } > , 1 have u riling of jours. Mr. 1'rlce , and foil ( jivoponco I would send It where It w | | ) ' ha'juf you So be careful lie careful 01 glr me that coat. " Wishing that I had the courage to ntrlke hlpl lu the back , prajlng that the next vqrd he said might choKe him , hating Iilm with a dumb hatred , the blacker for lu Im- liolrnce and for the menial serving he had made me do him , I gave him the long- skirted plum-colored coil to which lie pointed , and saw him clothe h' lank , un gainly figure in It , and top all with his freshly curlrd wig He bade me tie his | > olntu and fatten on lili gword ; and this be- Inc done to hla liking and ho was not > er > any to ple ehe pulled dovvu hie rufl'e * anil walked to anil fro , preening himself nml looking n linnilrcil t lint a more ugly and louiuomo fo" the finery , with which , for the flut time1 1 navv him brdlzened. J'rrparatlons to unusual , bj awakening my cuilosliv as to the visitor In vvheae honor thej were inailo dlverte'tl me n little from my own troubles , to which 1 had done no more tlinn rttuin when n Knock cameat the ou'er door Teirgt'son. In n hot finnh of cMiltntlon Ibat wont far to slum that he had entertained doubt * ns to the visitorn coming , tlmst nio hastily Into the next room , n mere closet , Ill-lighted bj one small window , nnd bare , save for n bed frame Hero ho placed mo beside the crack he bad mentioned , nndwhispering In my car the most fearful throata nnd objurgations In case I moved or otherwise proved fal o to him , ho ccst a lent look round to assure himself that nil was right , nnd then went back Into his own apartment , where , through my JudaB-holc. I EIIW him pause The girl's departure with the luggage of the pnlr hnd left the room but meagerly rnrnl'lu d Whether this nml the effect It might hnvo on the visitor's mind struck him thuo late , or ho began at the list moment to ilctibt the prttdcnco ot what ho wan about , he stood awhile In the middle of the floor gnnwlng his nails and listening or perhnps thinking. The ill lft of hla reflec tions , however , wn.9 soon made clear , for on the vlaltor'o impatlentlj repeating his Btim- mons. he moved stealthily to one of the windows v\Hch being net In the mode of gal ret window ns , deep in the slope of the loot , gave Ilttlo light and by piling hla cloak In n heap on the sill , 'contrived to obscure some of that little. This done , and ciying eoftlj"Coming , coming , " he hast ened to the door and opened It , bowing and tvciaping with every appenrance of re spect. The man who had knocked and who walked In with an Impatient step , as If the waiting had been Ilttlo to his table , waa tall and slight. Tor the rest n cloak nnd hat napped low over his face hid both features and complexion. I noticed that Fcignson bowed ngnln nnd humbly , but did not aililicss him. and that the gentleman also kept silence until ho had seen the door secured behind him Then , and no his best , with Bccmlng clumslnera , brushed past him and so secured a position with his baek to the light , ho naked sharply , "Where The'plotter leaned his hands on the back eli , i chair and paused an Instant before be an swered. When ho did be spoke with less as surance than I had over hoard him apeak be fore , nml even stammered a little. "Youi grace , " lie said , "has como to see a person who wrote to jnu ? From this house ? " "I have. Wheto Is ho ? " "Hero. " "Here ? Hut vvheTo , man , where ? " the newcomer replied , looking quickly around. Still Ferguson did not move. "My lord duke , yon came here , In a word to eee Lord Mlddleton ? " lie said. It was cosy to see that the duke's gorge rose at the other's manner , no le s than al this namli'K of namea Hut with an cfforl he swallowed his chagrin. "If jou know that jou know all , " he answered with com- ncsurc. "So without more take me to him But 1 may as well say , sir , since jou seerr to bo In bis conlldence " "It was my hand wrote the letter. " "IIii ! Was It so' Then jou should know elr , that a madder and more foolish thins was never done ! If ray 'Lord ' Mlddleton , " h < continued coldly , his tone inclined to sar casm rather than to feeling , "desired to rub ills best friend , and the one most able tc save him in e certain event , if he meant tc requite , sir , one who has already suffered more than was reasonable In his service , bj consigning him to destruction , be- did well Othetwis.0 he was mad. Mad , filr , or worse , to send such a letter to a place where he must have known of his own knowledge thai nine letters out of ten are opened by others' ' hands ! " "Yout grace U right , " Terguson answered drjly , and in his natural voice , at the sound of which , either because of Its native harsh ness or bec-iuso it toucned'somo chord in hit numoij , my lord started , "Dnt the .fact la , " the plotter continued hardily , and with a smack of Impertinence In his tone , "mj Lord Middleton , so far as I know , is still with the king at St. Get mains. " "At St Germalns ? " tbo etuke cried. "With the king ? " "Yea , and to bo candid , " tbo other an swered , ' I was not aware , my lord , that jou liaii tent him a safe conduct. " "You villain ! " the duke cried and stepped foivvaid , his rage excited as much by the man's manner as by the trick which had beea played him. "JIow dared jouuaj , then , that ho vvas Here ? Answer , fellow , or It will be the worse foi you. " "I bald only , jour grace , " Terguson answered , ictieating a step , "that the w rlter of the letter was here " Tor a moment my lord , utterly dum- foundcd bj this , stood looking nt him "And jou are he1" he said nt last , with chilling ficoni , "nnd the authoi of thlt plot ! " " \ml of many jIote beside , " my mastct iimvveiotl Jauntilj' . And then , "My loid , do you not kno.v me yet , ' " be cried ' Not I ! Stand out , Mr , and let mo eco jour toco. Then , peihnpa , it wo have met bofoic " "Oh , wo have mot before ! " was tbo quick aimver. "And I am not usbamrd of mj face. It--ha been known In Hu time. Hut fair plaj U a Jewel , mj lord. It is eight jpars elnci ) I saw jour grace last , and I Imve a fancy to- learn It you arc changed. Will jou obllgo me ? If jou would b a. my fnco eliow mo jours ! " With , i ge'sturu between pontompt nnd Im- patleneo tbo duke removed hLi hat , which ut his entrance ho had merely touched , and Imttlly thrut'tlng back tlio cloak from bib neck , confronted Me opponent. CHAPTI5R XXI. It cannot nt this djy be needful for mo to ( lei'crlbo ' In detail the comeliness and nobility of three features which tlio nction disclosed , since they are well remembered by many htlll living , as they ore faithfully proterred for poatcritj jet lacking rome of the glow and patriot ! which then animated them on the canvas uf Sir I'ctei Lely , which hangs in tbo Phai terhouto. The duke of Shrowii- buiy to > > et concealment aside waa then In bis thlrtj-slxth joar. In the prime and bloom of manhood , ot n fair complexion and icgulir featutcij , over which the habitude of high rank and the pcsspi'slan of unilvalled parts threw n cast of reserve and etatelinesa not unbecoming. Ao he was by nature so tenhltlve that on tht.5 side alone hla enemies found him vulnerable , eo II'H face In repow. , If It bad liny fault at all , hid that of border ing on the womanish , the lines of his mouth following these of the- most beautiful models ot antiquity Hut this blemish If that which bore wltncvs to the most affectionate dlrpcsltlon In the world could bo called by that name was little marked lu public life , the awe which ejes , alike firm anil pene- tritlng , Inspired In the vulgar , rendering niPht people- blind to It To sum up. though Indolent , ho wao of such a temper that the gieaten dared take no liberty with him. and though proud , he give the meamst his rights and a place. Suph was the man who no1 confronted I erguson , und with a btern sparkle In his eje , bade thn wretched schemer stand out That the latter from the first had Intended to do so nnd to declare himself was as cer tain ad that now the time had come ho hesi tated awed by tbo mere powei of worth , OH I ha\r heard that wicked men calling up spirits from the deep have stood nffrighted before the veiy beings tbej ha\e conjured up. iet his hesitation was but lor a mo ment , after which , rail j ing the native au dacity of u temperament which rejoiced in tncsc Intrigues and denoucmenta , he stepped Jauntilj forward , and , assuming such a par- imj of dignity an likened his clumsy fig ure and sneaking face to nothing so much as an ape decked out In maii'o clothes , be allowed the light to fall on his leaturej. . Ti i .i , looke < 1' alld even -where r mood , behind the lath and planter partition. I heard him catch his breath sbnrplj"You arc Robert Ferguson , " ho sftld. "Well RueMed , " the plotter answered , with a harsh , dUcordant laugh , "Yoar grace has not forgotten ' 8S. Ilelleve me , If the prlncn of Orange had kept as good a memory , I should not have been here In this garret , nor need I have troubled your lordship to visit me In It. " "It would have been better for jou elr , had jou still refrained , " the duke answered with severity. "Mr. Ferguson , I tell jou nt once , I do not bear his innjcs y'a commis sion In vain , and my flrat proceeding on leaving this house will be to Kn a warrant for jour apprehension and direct the officers whcro it can be executed. " "And I , my lord , " 1'ergusoa answered , with an Impudent attempt at pleasantry , "have n very gooil mind to tnkc jou nt jour word and let jou go to do It. Tor when jour olllcers arrived here they would not Hnd me , while jour grace would go hence to fall Into ns pretty a trap ns was ever laid for n mnn " "And doubtless of jour laying1" my lord cried , with a gesture of contempt. "On the contrary , until I snw jour grace I knew of the trap , Indeed , but not for whom It was Intended Since I have seen jou , however and how greatly jou have Im proved since ' 88 , when we last met" Fergu son added , Impertinently , "my eyes are opened , nnd I feel a verj sincere pity for jour lordship " "I nm obliged to jou for jour wninlng" the duke answered , drjlj , "and will en deavor to take care of mjsclf If that be all , therefore , that you have to oay to me and I nssumo that the letter In Lord Middle- ton's name was no more than a ruse I will say good daj. " "Naj , but that Is not all , nor a part , " Ferguson replied , "I have a bargain to pro pose , and Information" ho added , sullenly mil with lowered ejcs , "to give. " "Ha ! As iifliial , " my lord answered , shrug ging his shoulders and speaking with the most cutting scorn. "Hut permit me to pay that you have made a mistake , Mr. Ferguson , In sending for me. As you should know by but In a lo\v'ci- ' tpne : "That , then , Is one course jou mj , 'take , my lord , " he said Complacentlyahd the result of HI If yoi will follow my adder , however , jou will no adopt that cWirs'b. ' Instead , jou will le Fitz-Jamen be. You will act as If jou hai not seen me Imlnj3 , nor heard that he was It London , You'll wipe this meeting from jour memory and ) KKs If It had not been , Ant so , at the rrslbrarlon , you Will have nothing to fear on thnl'hcAd ' tint but In the mean time , ' Ferguson Jcontlnupd , Jialtlngly , and with an uglynrtn , "It may bo the worwo for your grac 'lf ' the truth conns to the prince's earsjilwJiore minister jou are ; am worse , again. It it conies to Uentlnck'e , who I am told , Inl some trouble to jour grace already " n The duke's face was a picture. "Yoi villain1" he said again , "what do jou want ? ' "For my silence ? ' "For yourBlleiicc ? No. What Is your aim What Is jour object ? You betray one and the other. The son of jour king to prlsoi nnd death. Me > , If j'ou can , to ruin nm shame. And why ? Why man ? What do jou gain ? " "What do I gain ? Whit shall I gain , joi mean , " Ferguson answered , smiling cnnr nlnglj "Only jour graco'a signature to a Bcrap of paper give me that and I nm mum nnd neither Herwlck nor jou will be a pelinj the worse " "What , moncj' " cried my lord , surprised I think. "Oh , no , not money , ' said the plotter coollj' . "And jet It may be moivej's wortl to me over there. " CHAPTER XXII. "It Is this way , my lord , " he continued after a pause. "Lord Mlddleton bald some things over there In your grace's name that would bo four years back ; but yet never acted'on them , though It was whls pered you paid dearly for them here. In the Interval It has been the aim of n good many to get' something more definite from jou grace ; the rather ns you stand almost alone the main part of the court , and more thai you know of , having made their peace. Iu FERGUSON -nOWnD HUMBL this time , being versed In thcic affairs , I leave such bargains to underlines. " "Nevertheless , to this bargain jou must be a party , " the other answered violently. "Naj , my lord , but I can make you a party. I have only to tell you a thing I know , and w bother- you w 111 or no , for your own safety , jou must do what J ask. " "For my own safety , Mr. Ferguson , I am not in the habit of doing anything I would not do for other reasons , " the duke answered , coldlj. "For the rest , If you have any thing to tell me that concerns the king's aerv ice " "Which king ? " the plotter cried , with a sneer. "I acknowledged but one then , I say , I will hear It. Dut I will neither do nor prom ise anjthlng in return " "You talk finely , " Ferguson cried. "But jou cannot deny that before this I have told things that were worth Knowing. " "That were wortq men's lives , " my lord answered , rpeaktng in a low , stern voice , and looking at him with a loathing bcjond wordy "Yes , Mr. Ferguson I acknowledge that. That were worth men's llvee. And It reminds me that jou aie growing old and have blood on jour hands ; you only and God know how much. But some I know ; the proof of It lies In my office. If you will take my advice , therefore , you will think rather of quitting the world and making your peace with heaven if by any means it can bo done than of digging pits for better men than jourself. > Mnn , " he continued , looking fixedly at him , "do jou ever think of Ayloffe and Sidney ? And Russell ? And Moumouth ? And Cornish ? Of the men jou have egged on to death and the men you have sold ! God forgive you ! God -forgive jou , for men never will. " I should fall , and lamentably , were I to try to describe either the etern feeling with which my lord uttered this solemn address the more solemn , nx It came from a young man to an old one or the horild passion , born of rage , fear , and remorse commingled , with which the wretched intriguer received it. When my lord had ceased to speak he broke into the most fearful Imprecations calling down vengeance not only on others for wrongs done to him , but on his own head If bo had ever done aught but what was right ; and this rant he so sprinkled with texts of ycripturo and scraps of the old Covenanter's language , that for profanity and blasphemy I never heard the like , The duke , after watching this exhibition for a while , with eyes of pity and horror , ended by setting on hid hat and turning to the door. This . -iidlced , as nothing else would have , to bring the conspirator to his senses. With a hideous chuckle , which brought his tirade to a fitting conclusion , "Not so fast , my lord ! Not so fast , " ho cried. "The key is In my pocket. I have roracthlng to say before jou go. " "In God's name , say It , then " the duke ciled , bin face sick with disgust , "I will , " Ferguson answered hoarsely , leaning on the table which stood between them and thrusting forward his chin , still suffused with rage.nd see you how I will confound you ! The duke of Berwick is In England , my lord. The duke of Berwick is in London. And , what Is worse , my lord , he lies tonight at Or. Lloyd's In Hogsden Gar dens. So take that Information to yourself , my lord secretary , and make what you can of It , not forgetting the king's Interest. Ha ! ha ! I have jou tight there , I think ! " His triumph , extreme and offensive as It was , was justified by the consternation I can call It by no other name which daik- c'ncil the duku's countenance , as he listened , and held him a moment , speechless and mo tionless glaring ut the other. At last , "And you sent to me to tell me this ? " he cried , "I did ! I did ! And there Is no other living man would Imvo thought of It or done It. And why ? illecauso there U no man who can play my cards but myself. " "You devil ! " my lord cried , and wa si lent. lent.Seeing Seeing that I know Ilttlo more on the euh- ject than that the duke of Berwick was King James' natural son and favorite , I was en tirely at a loss to comprehend either the duko's chagrin or Ferguson's very evident triumph , The latter's first words , however , went far toward explaining his jubilating and If they did not perfectly clear up my lord's pcBltlon fully to enter into which re quired a nobility of sentiment and a nicety of honor on a par with his own they at least enabled mo to guess vvhcro the shoe pinched , "D'yo take me now , my lord1 the plotter cried with a savage grimace. "That concerns the king's service , I think , and yet I dare jou to make use of It , Ay , my lord secretary , I dare jou to mal.e use of It ! " ho repeated , his unwholesome face deep red with excite ment "For why ? You know there will be a day of reckoning prcsentlj and sooner , may. , hap , than some think , You know that. Sooner or later It will come It will come , and then 'Touch not mine anointed ! ' Or , lather , touch but a hair of his Jamie's head , nnd his majesty'll no forgive. He'll no for- glv e There w 111 be mercy for my Lord Dev- oinhlre , and my lord admiral , uje , and for that incarnate liar and devil , John Churchill ! Aye , even for him , for he has made all safe both sides and so have the others But do jou touch the king's blood , though it be bastard do jou send tonight to the blahop's and take him , and go on to what follows and jou may kneel like Monmouth , and plead like my Lady Itussell , and yet jou'll to the axe and the sawdust when the time comes ! Aj n , jou will ! You will 1 You will ! " Though his harsh volco rrse almost to a shriek with the lait words and the room rang with them , the duke etood , mutely re garding him , and made no answer ; and after an interval Ferguson hirrnelt resumed , Y , BUT DID NOT ADDRESS HIM. their efforts failed ! because they went abou It In the wroms.w ay. Now I , Robert Fergu son , " ho co nuod , patting himself on th chest and bowing with grotesque conceit "have gone about It In the right way , am I shall not fall You must either arrest the duke of Berwick , my lord , or let him go That is clear. If you do the former , jou will offend bejond pardon , and your heat will fall at the "restoration , whoever goes clear. On the other hand , If you let the duke escape"nnd 1t comes to the prince o Orange's ears that you knew of his pres ence , you vv1) ) ! "bb ruined with your prcsen party. The J6nly 'course left to you , there fo'e. Is to IW him go , but to purchase m ; silence that 'it may not reach the prince' ears by sig lrfg 'a ' few words on a paner which shall W'eeivled here and opened only by'his ' majedty 111 his closet. Now , my lord what do joulfHay ? " he added , with manlfea exultation. 'What1 Jdo you say to tha offer ? " "J" "That yoil are : a fool as well as a knave ! ' was the duke's unexpected reply. Ho hai recovered his equanimity , and took a pinch of snuff as1 He spoke. The plotter's eyes sparkled. "Why , " he cried , with an oath , "and Is that language for a gentleman ? " "A gentleman ? Faugh ! " cried my lord "And why ? Because jou suppose you : word to be of value. Whereas you shouh know that were you to go to Kensington anc tell the king that jou had Informed me o this or that or the other , and 1 denied It jou would go to Newgate for certain , anc to the pillory perhaps but I should bo noi a penny the worse. Your word , forsooth God , man , you aie crazeo' ! " "Aye , but if I have had you follower hero ? " the othei unswered , savagely. "II I can produce three witnesses to prove yoi were with me today , and by stealth ! And by stealth , my lord , what then ? " "Why , then this , " the duke aiiswcrcrt will composure. "And it Is my answer. I shall go hence to tell the king and tell him all ; and on your information , Mr. Ferguson , the duke of Berwick -will be arrested. 'What ever my fate or his after that , I shall at least have done my duty and kept my oath as a privy councillor , and the rest I leave to God. But for you. " ho continued , slowly and with solemnity , "who , to gain a hold on me , have betrayed the son of jour king , your fate be on jour own head. " The plotter , who , I think , had expected any answer but this , and , it may bo , had never considered his own position should the duke stand firm , i oared out a furious "You llo ! " And then , again , in a frenzy , as the consequences rose more clearly before him , "You lie ! " ho cried , striking his hand on the table. "You will not do it ! You will not dare to do ft' ' " "Mr. Ferguson , " the duke answered , haughtily. "I do not suffer persons of jour condition to tell mo what I dare or do not dare , or persons of any condition to give mo the He. Be good enough to open the door ? " "Sign the paper ! " the conspirator hissed. His face , at no time sightly , was now dis torted by fear and the rage of defeat , while the chair on the back of which he leaned his left hand jerked this way and that as If the palsy had him. "Sign the paper , will you ? Or your blood be on your own head ! " ho cried , The duke's only answer was to point to the door with hla cane. "Open It ! " he said , his breath coming n little quickly , but hla man ner otherwise unmoved , "Do you hear me } " But either Ferguson' rage had so much the mastery of him that he could no longer control himself , or he was desperate , seeing Into what , an 'abyss'the other's-flrmncra was pushing him ; or from the fin > t ho had deter mined on thtytcourse as ( he last resort. At any rate , at that , and , Instead of complying , ho fell back a step , and , with a dark face , drew a pistol from the pocket of his long coat. "Sign ! " be cried , his voice whittling In his throatjas ho levelled the arm at my lord's head jpSJfiu , you Roman devil , or I'll eplll your * w jjlBl Your time has como. Sign , or you'tky/l go out of this room alive , you Papist sfiawn ! Has the Lord's foot been put on the nock of his enemies that such as you should divide the [ x > ll ? ' ; There was nothing to sign , for ho had not croduced the papfcr. But In the delirium of fear and excltemimt Into which ho had fallen ho was unc-otKM us of this , und of nil else except that he w s In danger of falling Into the pit ho h itJJfeged for another. His hand shook so > iolwitl/ that every moment I o\- pected the PHWf Jo explode , with hie will or without Itrhafi fears no less than his despair putting my lord In danger What he who stood thus exposed to naked death thought In his heart-n-htlo his existence hung on u ihaklng finger , I cannot say , nor If lie prayed , for no man talked lees of religion , to be , as I trust he vvurt , a believer ; while the pride which supported him In that crisis was as powerful to close his llpe after the event "Put that down1' ! be eald , and met lhn other's eyes without blanching , though 1 think he was a trifle paler than ho had been "Sign ! " answered the madman , with an oath. "Put It down ! " repeated the duke , and without doubt his courage by Imposing a re straint on ilio other's headlncss postponed , thoughult could not avert , the catastrophe. Every second they stood thus confronting onu another , Ferguson grinning and gibbeting to him to sign , I looked to see the pistol ex- ploJe and my lord fall IKelctd. My kites * shook under me ; horrified at thla muider to be committed under my eyes , scarce con scious what J did or would do , I fumbled for the handle of the door which , luckily , was beside me ; and found It prrcUcly ai the duke , with a twirl cf hU cane as uwlft as It was unexpected , Knocked the pistol aside auJ sprang bodily on the villain , fttrlvlngi to bear him down , for ho had no time to draw. He was the jounger man by twenty jeara , and the more active , It not the more power ful ; so that for an InsUnt It seemed to me that the dinger was over , but I counted without Ferguson , who , leaping back before the other could grapple with him , with a nlmblcncss bejond he jenrs , put the table between them , and levelling the pistol afrcah , with n enarl of rngc , pulled the trig ger. The flint snapped harmlre'ly More than that 1 could not heir , and by heaven's mercy the movement had brought the wretch close to the door at which I etood , ami which I Imd that moment opened , As he aimed the pistol a second time , and with a fmsh execration , I flung my arms round htm from behind nnd with my right ha'nd Jerked up the pl tel , which exploded , bringing down an avalanche of plaster nnd filling the room with smoke and brimstone An lnterpo < ltlon so sudden nnd timely nni't have been no Iras n surprise to the duke than to FergtMon Nevertheless the former , without the los of n moment , flung himself on his antagonist , nnd , seizing the pistol while I still clung to him behind , In a twink ling hid him dlisnrmed Yet , even when thla was done , so furious were the mon's struggles , and eo Inhuman the strength he d'splnjed , even to biting and foaming In a fury that could only be called mnnlacil. that It wan ns much ae wo could both do to conquer him , though we were two to one and jounger , nor would he be quiet or re sign himself to detent until we hnd him down on his back with my lord's swordpolnt at his th out. Then It wns that , wlillq , we etood over him , panting and trembling with the ex ertions we had made , my lord turned his tjes on me. "Who are jou , " he said , "my friend1 I could not apeak for emotion , and though ho" was calmer , I could sec that he was deeply stirred , now ho had leisure to think , both by the risk he hnd run nnd the nnr- rowneea of his escnpe. "My lord , " I ctled at last , "takeme away. " "From here ? " ho said , "Yes , " I said , "for God's sake , for Gol's sake , take mo away. " And I burst Into an uncontrollable fit of nobbing , eo overcome was I by whit had happened and what had almost happened , Hr looked nt me , his own lip twitching n little , and his breast heaving. "He easy , man , " ho said. "Were jou bet to watch me ? " " "Yes , " I said. ' "And jou heard all ? " I "All. " "Who are jou ? " he said ngaln. "Two months ago I was an honest mnn , " I answered , bitterly. "And then I got Into hla clutches. Ami he has ridden me. Ah , how ho has ridden me ! " "I sec , " he said nodding gravely. "Well , hla riding dajs are over. Hark you , Mr. Fercuson , " he continued , turning to the prostrate rren , who , groveling before us 1 had taken the precaution of tying his hands with my garter acknowledged his attention by n hollow moan , "I am no thief taker nnd I bhall not fioll my hands with jou. But within an hour the messengers will be hero and If they find you look to jourself , for I think In that case jou will Indubitably hang. In the meantime I will take jour pistol. ' Then to me : "Como my man , " he said , If jou wish to go with mo. " "I do , " I cried. . _ . „ . . "Well , I owe you more than that , he sild , klndlj"And I need you , besides Mr. Ferguson , I bid you farewell. You have proved jourself a more foolish man than I thought jou. A worse jou could not. The beet I can now wish you is that jou may never see my face again. " CHAPTER XXIII. My lord , I found , had a coach , without arms or Insignia , waiting for him at the great turnstile In Holborn , where If persons recog nized him as he alighted he would be taken to have business with the lawjcrs In Lin coln's Inn , or at my Lord Somers In the Fields. Following him ta It on foot I saw a man walk in more deep or anxious thought. He took no more heed of me , after bidding me by a gesture to attend him ; but twice he stood in doubt , and once he made as It he would return whence we had come , and once as If he would cross the Fields I think to Povvls bouse. In the end , however , he went on. and arriving at the coach , the door of which a footman in plain llverj held open for him , he baile me by a sign to follow him Into It. This I waa not for doing , thinking it too great an honor ; but on him crjing Im patiently , "Man , how do you think I am to talk to jou if jou ride outside ? " I has tened to enter lu equal confusion and hu mility. Nevertheless some time elapsed , and we had traveled the length of Holborn before he spoke. Then rousing himself on a sudden from his preoccupation , he looked at me. "Do jou know a man called Barclay ? " said he "No , jour grace , " I answered. Sir George Barclay ? " 'No , jour grace. " 'Or Porter ? Or Charnock ? Or King ? " 'No , your grace " 'Umph ! " said he , seeming to be dlrap pointed , and for a time he looked out of tin window. Presently , however , he glanced a me again , and so closely that I dropped my eyes out of respect. "I ha've seen jou some , where before ! " he laid at last. Surprised bejond measure that he remcm berod me , so many years had elapsed , I con fessed with emotion that be had. "Where ? " he asked plainly. "I see many people. And I have not old Rowley's mem ory , my friend. I told him. "Your grace may not remcm her It , " I said greatly moved , "but many jears ago at Abbot's Starstead , at Sir Hald- wln Winston's " "What ? " ho exclaimed , cutting ire short , with a flicker of laughter In his grave eyts And ho looked me over. "Did I flesh my maiden Justice-sword on jou ? Were jou the lat ) who ran away ? " "Yes my lord the lad whofce life jou saved , " I answered. "Well , then , we are quits , " he hud the kindness to answer , looking at mo with seri ous klndners ; and asked me how I had lived since those days. I told him , naming Mr. Timothy Bromc and eajlng that he would give mo a char acter. The mention of the nowswrlter hov/- ever , had a dlffeient effect from that I ex- peeled ; his gince conceiving a hasty Idea that he ateo was concerned with Ferguson , and crying out , under this impression , that If such men were turning , It was vain to fight against the stream , I hastened to dis abuse him of the notion by explaining howj came to fall Into Ferguson's hands. On which ho asked mo what I had done for the plotter , and how he had emplojed me "Ho would send me on errands , " I an ew cicd , and to fetch papers from the print ers and to carry his mebsages. " "To coffee lioufces ? " ' 'Often , your" grace. " "Did he ever send you to Covcnt uarden ? ho asked , loeldng'fixedly at me. "Yes , your grace , to a gentleman with a white handkerchief hanging fiom hl.s [ locket , " "Ha ! " he exclaimed , and with an eager light In his face he bade me tell him all I rinow of that mail. This giving mo the cue , [ detailed what I had seen and heard nt the Seven Stars the evening before , the toast of the squeezing of the rotten orange , the hints which had escaped the drunken cou- bplrator , nnd particularly his references to the hunting party and the date Saturday ir Saturday week. Adding also what I had earned from the girl , but mentioning for his no authority. To all my lord listened at- entlvely , nodding from moment to moment , and at last "Then Porter Is not lying this line , " ho said , drawing a deep breath "I 'cured but here wo are ! Follow me , my friend and keep close to me , " Engrossed In my story , and the attention hat was duo to tils rank and kindness , I laid no heed either to the way we had come or to our gradual passage from the smoke and babble of London to country air and stllluee , ) . A vague notion that wo were still raveling the Oxford road was all I retained , and thla was rudely shaken when , recalled o the present by bis words , I looked out and discovered that the coach was bowling along an avenue of lofty trees with park-like laetures stretching on either hand. I had 10 more than time to note eo much , and hit the horees were slackening their pace , > efore w rumbled undkr an archway andrew row up In a spacious courtyard shut lu on our eldea by warm-looking red brick build- n us , whereof that wing under which we had riven was surmounted by u quaintly shaped bell turret. Ignorant where my lord lived , and Ilttlo acquainted with the villages which lie around London , I supposed that he had brought me to his house. 'I he sight of a couple of sentries , who walked with aimb ported before a wide , low flight of Htepn , which led to the principal entrance from the courtyard , should have enlightened me , but n flock of pigeons that , dloturbcd by our entrance , were now settling down ngiln and beginning to strut the gravel with the most absurd air of possctMon , caught my atten tion nml diverted me from this mark of stnte. Nor did n knot of servants , lounging silently under n portico or two or three sedans which I espied , waiting a little npnrt , go far to detract from thp general air of pence nnd quietude which prevailed In the plnce Other observations 1 had no tlmo to make , for my lord , mounting the steps bade mo somewhat Impatiently to follow him I did so , across a spacious hall floored with shining wooel laid In strange patterns Hero were three or four servant ! " , who stood at attention , but did not approach , and hl grace- , pissing them without notice , had reached the foot of n wldo and handsome stnlicnse before n person drrs cd plainly In black nnd rarrjlng n tall , slender wnnd nd- vnnced nnd with a low bow Intorpo'cd him self. "Your grnco'a pardon ! " he said. "The council hna broken up " 'Mlow long' " "About half an hour" "Ah1 And Loid Somors ? Did he go back to town nt once'1 "Yes , jour grace , Immedlnlelj. " The duke nt Hint naked n question which I , standing hack n little out of respect nnd being nwcd besides by the grandeur of the place nnd the bllence did not entch The answer , however , "Onlj Lord Portland , jour grnce , nnd Mr Sew ell , " 1 heard , anJ like wise the duke's rejoinder. " 1 am going tip" "You will permit me to annuiiitos jour grace ? " the other , who seemed to be ome- thlng between a gentleman and n servant , answered quickly "No,1 my loid said "I am In hnste nnd I have that which will bo mj warranty. Tills person goes with mo" "I hope your grace will answer for It , then , " the man In black replied iepi'ctfullj , but with a little hesitation In lili tone. "That jou are not blnmed Kash' " the duke rejoined , with good nntuie. "Ye-s , jes , I will. And now , let us up. " ( To be Continued ) l.al < of Salt on tliu I'lnliiK. Chicago Peat "I've been giving some lit tle attention to the joung man who calls hero so regulnrlj- , " sold the old gentleman The girl looked very self-conscious , but said nothing. "I'm 1m lined to think that he's n pretty emart joung fellow , " continued the old gen tleman musingly. "Oh , I'm sure he Is , " put In the girl quickly. "Ho Impresses me , " went on the old gen tleman. Ignoring her Interruption , "as being just the kind of a man to embrace an op portunity" The girl blushed nnd then pouted. "I think jou're Just ns menu ns jou can bo to call me nnmcs , " she said. Easily , Quickly , Permanently Restored Weakness , Nervousness , Debility , nd nil the train of vrlli from onrlr trrorn or Inter eiceflsen ; the results of overwork , sickness , xnr- , T $ , etc Full trer-gtb , UevAlopmont and tone | | Riven to evrry orcnn lantl portion of the body. /Simple / nntnrnlmethodi ' Immediate improvement Been 1 ailuro tmponslbla. 3 OX ) rctrrpncon Hook , explanation und proofo mailed ( sealed ) free. ERIE MEDICAL CO , , ( OK srrniLis ) A. Written Guiirnntco to CCUI ? KVEIll" CASK or MO.NKY JtJUFUMIKll. irrUu All eon t * | ondonce rrnt oialnl in lilnln LIU el . . WeJmlto the , . , , olid wilt optx > vl ll < > tlu ( Hunt rlrfd JnttMiiaUoii | do all lu our i > ewer lo aid j ou In It. Adda COOK REMEDY CO. , Chicago , 111 , Searles & Searles Sl'KCUUSTm Kcrvous , Chronic Private"Iisci333 ) ftiEH SKXUALLl. Alll'rlviiti DiimiHiM A ] > * Knidrrniif jUtm 111 iilutt ut l > y null C'oilsllltiillini I'Yjj SYPHILIS Cured for life and tae yoltuu thuiuuhhly Ucau of from the c > stem bpennatorrhcu , bcmlnal WcaKn < . * s r.ost Man hood , Mblil l.mumloiia , Deta > e < l raLUlllei , 1 . mule AVeaknesa und nil dtiicals illsunlcia pe- PLllar tu cither Bex pobltlvely cured , I'IKLB , rihiL'ijA ami HL.CJAL. ui.cmth uvnito Cius AMU YAHCOCKLE * permanently nnrt FueceuKfully curtu Jlethort nw and unfallln/ Strieiure and Sleefat home by new methml without pain ur outline. Till on or nddrrpg with stamp , A * 'sParlKii" ' s. utu si. , a oidrili OUIIIA , MII And Surgical Institute. IGOv DcdKO bt . Omaha , Neb ' _ _ , BpecUIUts In treatment of Chronic. Neirons and I'rivalc ' Diseases nml nil WKAICMCMEBJ ! mill DISOltDUUH uf ntE.ll , ALlis Klten careful and ( pedal attention for all their many ullmenta iVl'llll.lb If your t > niptonia aru plmplei on fuce , boie throat , mucoua patches In mouth , rheumatism I" boneb und jolnta hair full. Inir out. > ou have no time to vtaale. \VUAIf Mi : > . ( Vitality Weak ) , rnadu so liy too cloce applies- Ion to builneen or study. tc\era mental ttruln r srlcf. Hi\UAL KXCURSHS In inlddUllfo or ron , iho effectu of youthful folllei. Call or , Tlu. _ FRENCH TANSY WAFERS These nre the cenulne ritnNCH lANbV VAl'UltS. Imported dlrtct fruni 1'urli I.udlei an depend upun securing relief from unJ ure of painful anJ Irregular pirlo < l regard- em ) of cause , UMKllbON DUIIO I'O , ImporteiB and Ati-ntu for Ihu United htutei. Ban Jo.e Cat 'or ' vale l > j the l.'conomlcal Iru Co , 2. : i Kth , bet. Kurnuin unj JJoutlus hta Solo ngrnt * Cktrlir.tir' . K > ll.b Iilaini/ad llr nd. PENNYROYAL PILLS ( Irljcliiftl and Dnlilenulae. . * rCi ftlwftffl ffCil U . LADICft ftik Urufiiit For rA ( * ( nri AHHUa | * inJlo IUd Ld bJtJ a-rulli * ! ! with Uut tltbua rnL .110 atber * Jr/ui < d'iii0 rou4 ubiu ( ffeiu und fmU4H0iM At DriMUli f Mo4 44. lo U i < * b&rtievUri. iMtlmoDtfcli ftfet MUltvf f r rdlr .M iMiirrrtani M lt 1O.UOO Tr iim&Dlli XMM / ' f r , 'ruiiUu. ' fUlLAOA. A * ItheitmntUm Cure re- IIIOVP * nil f nns o ( . , - lUieninntium t'hronlo Mu-cnlnr mid flrlntlcii With NuirnlRln I ure It will nulcklj letnovo nil D LJ | 7 fornn of bodllj pnln Mimjem's I PI E. ItPincdln , n 11 | \/1 / / \ separate euro * - * ' "I f\ for cnrh ills. TI CJ 1\/ | _ ease , for xnle I IOIVJ at nil ilrucitlMtR .MeMlj a.o. When In doubt * \ n ic to 1 rdf Mutiin ] > o5 \ \ cli Bin ot ' I'hllndelphln , I' . for free mcllcnl mlvloe- TRADfMARK 7 , POCANTICO The Robert Dempster Go. l-lo rimum Street , Onuilia rvorytlilns In riintoRrnphlo lltio for rrnfoHiliiiiul or Anmtrtir llci not tuUu u v.xe-utlim without n KODAK. Prices now from $2.50 up. A very ttoocl liistriiini'iit for J" > ,00 Call or , send for Catalog I'onr clrctiliitloii of the liloml U the onuir nf Itliriunntlsin Vlntlrn NiMimlKla unit fJout. Htntlc iUUrl-lt : > tours up the vvxtpm nn.l MrrliKtlien * It At the John II Wooilhurr DerinntnloKlcil Insttntp. l.'TV oil I2t | Flrrct. N V , thelinvc n ! ui e powerful lnlbii > nri > ma- ihlno for tin1 tro-itniont of ilnKi' ilttcuHts Chir ca mnilcrnlp l'oln < ultntloii flee Ladies Who Value j j A reflned complexion must use I'ozzonl'nPovvJ U iiroducca n rott mid beautiful sUln. I DO YOB KKCSf DR. FELIX LEBFniN'S Steel § Pennyroyal Treatment is tlio original nntl only FHKNCII , safe nnd rolinblo euro on the mnr- Itot. 1'rlco. $1.1H ) ; eout by muiL Ocnnino Bold only by Mjcrs-lJIllon Drug Co , S H Cor IClh nnd Tar- nnrn Streets Umahn , J > ib DEAD STUCK FOR BUGS KIIU HunclicBI loan , Motlm nnd Itailtiuci Iion- pulKonoim , won't utaln. l.aru ( tiuttlta , at drug. gialH auu groccnt , U luutu purchasing goods mndo nt thu following Nebrny * kn factories. If you can. not find what you want , communicate with the * * manufacturers ns to W h a t dealers liniullo their cootla.- II V.KJM5 r viuini.r. .v GO. Sjrupi , IfoHbRos Sorghum etc .Tellh's Bnklnc l'o iler. UvtratiJ , etc Also tin cans nnd Jupancd v\uie. Oil Ul V mWIM "S ( ) ( \TIOV Car load shipments imilo In our own left It erator cum Illuc Hllibon Cllte Cxporl Vienna export and rurally Import delivered to all parti of tlio cll\ . 31U1CJC. \virmnM , niios. .v SMITH to. I'avlnpr , Sewer nnd liulldlns intiric. C'unclt , 100 dCO JIT dav Olco | | mil vi nnd lllckois his 'Jolephone 12"OniHhi Ntu COKMCiVOKIvS. . a. r. niMMvtin , u\ < : ii : con\irr. Manufacturer of Onlvanlzeil Iron Coinlees < ! a'- \anl7Pd Iron Skvll'iU. ; ; Tlr. Iran und blata Itoolin ? ARcnl for Ktnneii's Steel Celllne. 108JO-12 North llle > entli utietl. , \Mimr \ \ uisciirMI tins , co. , AVIiohsalo rinikit Miinur.n.turfri > , OMAHA IHON 'D'AVIS . "UD\\KII.II utox ivnincs. Irini nml IlriiNM KoniiiliM . MnmifnrtuierB nnd Johliers of Machlnor > Oon- rnl rcpilrlni ; a cpeclnltv 1101. 1203 and 1MU lucKnon street , Cm ihn Kch. I'AATON A. VjTilI.iA ! HIO.V \ \ OIIICS. Manufacturerg of Arclillccturnl Iron Work. 5encn\l Toundry Mnchlne nnd Illnclcmnlth worlc. "tiKlnc'TS und eontrnctom Tor Klro Proof Ilulll * nn Ollkc nml v\orK ; U. I1 Hy nnd South i7tli direct Onratn OVIHAJ.T. . co. , Manufacturers Idiot lirdnil Klilri * OtrmlH. IiunpeiH l.lncl Uuclt riotlilim Import. . nll | olilx-is Bi > CSoodn ami Noilons hultnioonn. 11011107 llaimy bt. 1 aUoi > 1102 110S ItouurJ Mfcrs Clotlilni , VintH. hhirts an 1 Overalls. 8111 UT . ; . n. , > MIIII.sic \ , ' Lxclusho cuKlom nlilrt tnllora. 1515 I'arnani. i , , n. not ) ! ' , ilanufactuier I ounncn , Couchex , llatlremei. loliber of Bprlni ; Ueili , und 1 tathera 13U7-1I Jlcholus utroit. : -s TUIV CITV AVOIIKS , 1.11:1 I'a i nil HI M. Dyflnc nnfl < Hunlni ; of garmentB und ( roods of \trj ilittrlptlon CleullInK of no tuinienta it p-clalty. VINI'UAK ANH rjrivI.IIS " Jl\A IMI.l % > \IMU.\H < ii MBnaufuctmera of Vlnet'ar , I'lclilea , Cnt < Iiistunlu , t'clery und Woicestemhlru Siuce- WAGONS ANH CAimiAGKS rKjirriu : , For n Eouil eulixUntlul vehlclu ot uny Joncrlp. ion , for jipuimlnj ur rubber Urm on new or old lieilB , the bee i place la iT'.li und lx.uvenvvorin IP eta _ _ _ FUJI MMOMI rAiTm K.I : MI. Cheap , medium tulctil und ii-ny lairlacca. , n > tlihiB > u * ullt eetuml hunil or new. kad'iuurteru for Ilul.btr linn , wuuantej 18tU ml llurney uppole ! Court Ilmuo I II > 1 > , Hit lloilcit , mil line of CairluscB , UugiElen , I'haeloni'nnj art' V VI nc In rubber tliid 'Jtiu Lot U tin \vonmit % ! , INMII > on , unities Manufacturer * old pit > eci > a raw llnneed oil , ttle l/olled lln&eeil oil old ptoctsu ( .round tin- eil cake , fcfjunJ anil bcreeneil flumeed for OMAHA. Nlill. JUVN1NCJH vvoi.r linos. A. < ; o. , urmfactureni tentu , uwnlnb'n , turpuullni , rev of all klnda , llusn , banner * anil utriaimr * . 3 70S H IClh ht , Omaha "OMAHA 'luvi' AMI iiiuniK7r < ; 7i. ( Succtor Omaha Tint iititlAwning Co ) unufacturcra ItuU. uwninun. Jobber * ladlra * id Benin' mackintosh ! ! 'Jcnti fur rent , 1911 irnuin Ht , , Omaha. CIQAH JIICMC A. CO. Sargent In the went Omaha. J/cudlne Job * ra of Omubu , I.lnculn uiid Kuiit City ik - our itooil * .