10 THE OMAHA T > AILY BEIfl : SUNDAY , JANUARY 8 , 18V. ! .
Sjnoi ln of I'rronlliiK diopter * .
William , sixth carl of Douglas , falls In
love with the Lady Hylillln , the nleco of the
2-Vtnch ambassador. Marshal dc Ketz , who
chances to bo proKslnK the IJounlns estates.
Kholto MacKIm , won of the Douglas
urrnorer , distinguishes himself In archery
and li made cnptnln of the * castle guard
nncl Inter Is knighted for hruvo conduct In
the tournament. James , carl of Avondale ;
Hlr Alexander Ltvltmftton , guardian of the
klns'H person ; Sir William Criohton , chnn-
rullor of the realm , and Marshal do Ketz
to plot nialnst the earl of Douglas.
Lady Sybllln agrees to become their tool and
to lure WIIHuni Into their power Earl
IJoUKlns visits Cnstlo Crlchton nnd falls
cleper Into love with Sybllln. She confesses
lirr love for him , r'pents her agreement
with hit enemies and then urces him to
return homo with all speed. Marshal de
Uetz takes Sybllla to Edinburgh and Wll-
lliim iiccupts the Invitation of the young
kin * ; of Scotland to visit the court. At the
banquet a huge boar's hend Is brought In ,
n sign of treachery. The earl and his
brother nro arrested and Imprisoned. Early
tin1 next tnornln ? the Douglases are brought
l > eforo the king's court find sentenced to be
executed at once. Sybllla declares her love
Jieforu the court and the two brothers go
forth to th lr death. Sholto stirs up the
countrymen nnd In three days every man
of the Southland IB on his way to Edin
burgh to avenge the death of the young earl.
At thi Kato of Castle Thrleve the three
Alar-Kims meet , tell the Lady Douglns of
thn loss of her sons nnd learn In turn from
her that Maud Llndesay nnd little Margaret
liavn ben kidnapped by Do Retz. The Lady
DoiiKlnn Riven Sholto a priceless suit of
nrinor. blesses him ns her son and starts
him out to Fivircli for the two girls. Around
Kdlnburgh the Douglases arc gathering. The
nous of James , the new carl , refuye to sup-
jiort their father's cause nnd swear to
nvenge their cousin William's death.
Sholto , with his father and brother nnd
J.ord Jnni ° fl Douglas , go to Paris , find
Marshal dc Rctz's house and plan to rescue
the glrla.
CIIAI'TEIl XLV.
Tlir DnnatliiK "f OUlen de Sllle.
The head of ( Hires do Slllo was still
swathed In bandages when , with an addi
tional swaddling band across his eyes , ho and
Laurence , that truant eclon of the house of
O'llalloran , stole out Into the night. A
chill had descended with tbe darkness and
n pnlo dank mist from the marshes ot the
Heine made the pair shiver as arm in arm
they ventured carefully forth.
I/itirenco was doing a foolish , even a
wicked thing , in thus without warning de-
carting his companions. But he was just at
the ago when It la the habit ot youth to de
ceive themselves with the thought that a
ohred of good Intent covers a world of
folly.
The fuitltlvea found the Hotel d Pornlc
practically deserted. They approached it
cautiously from the iback lest they should run
Into the arms of any of the numerous ene
mies of Ite torrlblo lord , who , though not
nbhorrcd in Paris as In most other places
which ho favored with his visits , had yet llt
tlo love weared upon him oven there.
The custodian In the stone cell by the gate
came yawning out to the bars at the sound
of Gllles do Slllo's knocking , and after a
growl of disfavor admitted , the youth and his
companion.
"What gone , my master gone ! " crlec )
Olttcs striking his hand on his thigh with
nn astounded air , "Impossible ! "
"Whither has my master gone ? " sk d
Do Clllo. curbing his wrath in order to get
nn answer.
"Ho said that lie went t Tlffauges.
Whether that bo true , you have better
means of knowing than I. "
The swarthy youth turned to Laurence.
"How much money have you , Master
O'Hnlloran ; I have spent all of mine and
this city swlno will not lend me a single
BOU for my expenses. Wo must to the
Btnblcs nnd follow the Slour de Retat forth
with to Brittany. "
"I have ten golden angels , which the prior
of my convent gave mo at my departure , "
said Laurence , with some pride.
Ills companion nodded approvingly.
"That will neo us through that Is. with
care. Glvo them hero to me ! " he added ,
after n moment's thought ; "I will pay
them out with more care , being of the
country through which we pass. "
But Laurence , though headlong and reck
less , hnd not been born a Scot for naught.
"Walt till there Is necessity , " he replied
cautiously , " < ind they shall not be lacking.
Till then they arc quite safe with me. I
have them In a secret place 1H to bo gotten
nt hastily. "
Olllos do Sllle turned away wltfc some
movement of Impatience , yet without say
ing another word upon the subject.
"To the stables ! " ho said , turning to the
concierge. "I suppose we can have horses
to rldo after my lord ? "
"So far ns I am concerned , " growled
Lnbord , "you can have all the horses you
want and break your necks off each one
of them If you will. It will save some
hemp and hangman's hire ! Such devil's
dogs as you two bo bear your dooms ready
written on your faces. "
And this saying nettled our Laurence ,
who prided himself no little on an allure
blonde and fine.
But Gllles do Sllle cared no whit for the
servitor's sneers so long as they got horses
between their knees and escaped out of
Paris that night. In nn hour they were
ready to start and Laurence had expended
ono of his gold angels on the provend for
thn Journey , which his companion and he
stored In their saddlebags.
And In this manner , llko an Idle lad who
for mischief puts tody and soul In peril ,
went forth Laurence MacKIm to take up
sorvlcu with the redoubtable Meeslre allies
do Laval , Slour do Retz , high chamberlain
ot Charles VIII , marshal of France and com
panion In arms of the martyred Maid ot
Orleans.
Now , before he went forth from the street
of the Ursullnrs , ho laid a sealed letter on
thn bed ot hU brother , which ran thus :
iR A MILLION
15r.l niton's Spe Try
cific No. 3 is the
li r s t R c : n e dy
ever ollcicil to the Dr. Hilton's
public to Cure n
Cold , the Orip ,
anil PNKUMONIA I'UKVENT , Specific
nnd it is the
ON LY remedy to Xo. 3. '
day that can do it.
"
It "was firi > t adver
tised January , It
1891. Since then
o\cra million liot-
11 c s have been Cures
a Cold.
bold. What bet .
ter testimonial ns
to the efficacyof
The
Crip
this remedy could
we have ? If your
drugKii > t doesn't
nnd
have it send jocts.
In I * . O. stamps or
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PRKVEXTS
DR. lllLTON ,
ellMuss.anc !
receive n buttle by
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Order of us. SHKUMAN & M'CONNKLL
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' V
"Ha , Sir Sholto MacKIm , whllo you stand
about In the rain and shiver under your
cloak , I am off to find out the mystery.
When I have done all without assistance
from the -wise Sir Sholto I will return ; but
not before. Faro your knlghtshlp well , "
Laurence and Olllea de Sllle rode out of
Paris by the Versailles road , and the latter
Insisted on silence till they were past the
forest of SL Cyr , which was at that time
exceedingly dangerous for horsemen not
traveling In largo companies. Once they
were fairly on the road to Chartres , how
ever , and clear of the valley of the Seine
and Its tangled boscage of trees , allies In-
slated on there and then breaking a bottle
of wine to the auccesa of their Journey , and
to the new sorvlc * and duty upon which
Laurence was to enter at the end of It.
Having proposed this toaat , be handed tbe
first hamper to Laurence , who , barely tast
ing the excellent Poltevln vintage , handed
the leathern bottle to de Bllle. That sallow
youth Immediately , without offering his
companion a eecond chanoe , proceeded to
quaff the entire contents of the pigskin.
Then , as the stiff brew penetrated down
ward , It was not long before the favorite
of tbe marshal began to wax full of vanity
and swelling words.
"I tell you what It Is , " ho said , "there
would bo trembling In the heart of a very
great man when the cravens returned with
out me. For I am no sniveling Ignoramus ,
but a gentleman of birth ; aye , and one who ,
though poor , Is a near cousin of the marshal
himself. I warrant the rascals who ran
away would emart right soundly for leaving
mo behind. For Glfles de Sllle Is no simple
ton. He knows more than la written down
In the catechism of holy church. None can
touch my favor with my lord , no matter what
they testify against me. For me , I hav
only to ask and have. That la why I take
such pride In bringing you to my lord of
Retz. I know that bo will glvo you a post
about his person , and If you are not a simple
fool you may go very far. For ray master Is
a friend of the king , and- what Is better , of
Louis the dauphin. He gat the king back a
whole province a dukedom , so they say
from the hands of some Scots fool that had It
off his grandfather. And , In return , the
king will protect my master against all bis
enemies. Do I not speak the truth ? "
Laurence hoped that he did , but liked not
the veiled hints and Insinuations of some
surprising secret In the fife of the marshal ,
possessed by his dear cousin and beloved
servant Olllea do Sllle.
Wdth an ever-loosening tongue , tie favor
ite went on.
"A great eoldler 1s our master none
greater , not even Ounols himself. Why , he
rode Into Orleans at the right hand of the
maid. None In all the army was so treat
with her as he. I tell you Charles himself
llkad It not , and that was the beginning of
an the pother of talk about my lord Igno
rant gabble of the countryside , I call It.
Lord , If they only knew what I know , then
Indeed. But enough ! Marshal Gllles Is a
mighty scholar as well , and hath Henrlet
the clerk a weak bleating ass that will some
day blab if my master permit him not to
slice his gizzard ho hath him up to read
him Latin by the mire , out of the books
called Sontonlus nnd Tacitus such high
flavored tales and full of well , of things
such as my master loves 1"
So ran allies do Sllle on as tbe miles fled
behind their horses' heels and the towers
of Chartrea rose gray and solemn through
the morning mlsU before the travelers.
CHAPTBH XLVI.
Tbe Country of the Dread.
The three remaining Scottish palmers were
riding due west Into a sunset which bung
like a broad red girdle over the Atlantic.
All the sky above tbelr heads was blue-gray
and luc nt. But along the horizon , as It
seemed for the space of two hand breadths
there was suspended this bandolier of flam-
lug scarlet.
The adventurers were not weary of their
queat. They ITCTO only sick of heart with
the frultlessnen of It.
First upon leaving Paris they had gone to
the castle of Champtece , and had surveyed
the noble range of battlements crowning the
heights above the .broad poplar-guarded wil
low-grown levels of the Loire. The Chateau
de Tliouars also they had aeen , a small white-
gabled house , most Tike a Scottish baren's
tower , which the Marshal do Retz possessed
In virtue of his neglected wife Catherine.
In It her sister , the Lady Sybllla had been
bom. Solitary and tenaotless , save for a
couple of guards and their ttncovenantoJ
womankind , It looked down on Its green
IslnnJ meadow * , nhilo on the horizon hung
Die smoke of the \\ood fires lit at morn and
OVB by the good wlvos of Nantra.
To that place the three had next Jour
neyed ami had beheld the great Hotel do
Suie , set Tike an enemy's fortrcre In the
midst of the turbulent city , over against the
castle of the king. But the hotel , though
held like a place of arms , WAS untenantcd
by the marshal , his retinue or the lost Scot
tish maids.
They found the stronc cnstlo of Tlftaugcs ,
above the green and rippling waters of the
Sevres , void also. No light gleamed out of
that window of sinister repute , high in the
cliff-like wall , from which strnngo shapes
were known to look forth at high noon.
North , south and east , the three had rid
den through the country of Retz. There re
mained but Machecoul , more remote and also
darker In repute than any of the other dwell
ing places of atllre de Retz. As they rode
westward toward It they became day by
day more conscious of the darkening dawn
of that atmosphere of fear and suspicion
which , murky and lowering , overhung all
that fair land of southern Brittany.
The vast pine forest , from which rene the
lonely towers of this , the marshal's most
remote castle , could now be seen serrated
darkly against the brond belt of the sky.
| The somber blackness of their spreading
branches , the yet blacker darkness where
the gaps between their trunks showed a
way Into the wood , Increased the gloom of
the weary travelers. Yet they rode on ,
Sholto eagerly , Mallno srlrnly and the Lord
James with the dogged resignation of a
good knight who may b depended to sec
an adventure through , however Irksome it
may have proved.
James of Avondale thought with some
truth within himself that the others had
greater Interests In the quest than he the
younger MacKIm having at stake the honor
of his swetheart , Maud , the elder the life
of his young mistress , the last of the Gallo
way house of Douglas.
Yet It was with that jolly heart of his
beating strong nnd loyal under his brown
palmer's cloak , that James Douglas rene
toward Machocoul , only whistling low to
himself and wishing that something would
happen to break the monotony of their
Journey.
CAESAR MARTIN TELLS OF HIB WIFE. THE WERE-WOLFE.
. Nor had he long to wait. For Just as
! the sun was setting they rode all three
abreast Into the llttlo hamlet of St. Phll-
bert and saw the sullen waters of the
Etang de Grande Lieu spread marshy
and brackish , as far as the eye could reacn ,
edged by black peat bogs and overhung
perilously by gloomy pines nodding over
pools blacker than sorlvoncr's Ink.
As the three Scots looked Into the
stockaded entrance of the village they could
see the children playing on the long , Ir
regular str t and the elder folk sitting
about their doors In the evening light.
But as soon as the clatter of the horses'
hoofs were heard , borne from far down the
aisles of the forest , there arose a sudden
clamor and a crying. From each door
rushed forth a woman who snatched n boy
hero and there and drove a little herd of
children before , her Indoors , glancing around
and behind her as she did so with the
anxious look of a motherly barndoor fowl
when the hawk hangs poised In the windless
sky.
sky.By
By the time the three men had entered the
gate and ridden up the village street all
was silent and dark. The windows were
shut. The doors were barred and the vil
lage had become n street of living tombs. "
"What means this ? " said the Loitl James ,
"the people are surely afraid of usl"
" 'TIs doubtless but their wonted welcome
to their lord , the Sleur ds Retz. He seems
to bo popular wherever he goes , " said Mallee ,
grimly , "but let us dismount and nee If we
can get stabling for our beasts. Did they
not tell us there was not another house for
miles betwixt hero and Machecoul ? "
So , without waiting for dlsaent or counter
opinion , the master armorer went directly
up to the door of the best appearing house
In the village , one which stood a llttlo back
from the road , and was surrounded by a
wall. Hero he dismounted and knocked
loudly with his eword hilt upon the outer
gate. < The noise reverberated up and down
the street and was tossed back In undlmln-
tshed volume from the green wall of pines
which stood up about the village.
But there was no answer , and Mallse
grew rapidly weary of his own clamor.
"Hold my bridle , " he said curtly to Sholto ,
"and with a single push of hU ( boulders
1 ho broke the wooden bar , nnd the t\\o halves
of the outer gate fell apart before him. A
great yellow dog of the country rushed
furiously at tbe Intruders , but MalUe , who
was as dexterous aa ho was powerful , re
ceived him with so sound a buffet on the
head that be paused bewildered , shaking
bis ears , whereat Mallse picked him up ,
tucked him under his arm and with thumbs
about his nlndplpo effectually choked hla
barking. Then , releasing him , Mallse took
no further notice of this valorous enemy ,
and the poor , loyal , battled beast , conscious
of defeat , crept shamefacedly away to hide
bis disgrace among the faggots.
But MulUe was gro\vlng Indignant and
therefore dangerous , and 111 to cross ,
"Never did I see such mannerless folk , "
ho growled , "they will not even clvo a
stranger a word or a bite tor their beasts. "
Then he called to hU companions !
"Oom hither and apeak to tht-Jo cravens
ITP I burst tholr Inner doors ns well , "
Then At this by no moans empty threat
came the Lord James and spoke aloud In his
cheery voice , to these wltliln the silent
house ! "Good ptaplo , w are no robbers ,
but poor travelers and strangers. Ue not
afraid. All we want la that you should
tell us which house Is the Inn that we may
receive refreshments for ourselves and our
horses. "
Then there came a volco from behind the
door : "There Is no Inn nearer than Pornlc.
Wo are poor people and cannot support one.
Wo pray your highnesses to depart in
peace ! "
"Hut , good sir , " answered James Douglas ,
"that wo conn'Jt ' do. Our steeds are foot-
weary with a long day's Journey. Glvo us
the shelter of your barn.i and a bundle of
fodder , and wo will be content. We have
food and drink with us. Open , and bo not
i afraid. "
"Of what country are you ? Are you of
the household of the Slcur de Retz ? "
| "Nay , " cried James , again ; "wo arc pll-
, grlms returning to our own city of Albl , in
the Tarn country. We know nothing of any
Sleur do Rotz. Look forth from a window
and satlufy yourself. "
| "Then If there be treachery In your hearts ,
beware ! " eald the tremulous voice again ,
"for I have four sons here by me , whoso
powder guns are even now ready to fire
from nil the windows If you mean harm. "
i A white face looked out for n. moment
from the window , and as quickly ducked
within. Then the vole * continued Its bleat
ing.
ing."My
"My lords , I will open the door. But for
give the fears of a poor old man in a wide ,
empty house. "
The door opened and a curious figure ap
peared within. It was a man apparently
decrepld and trembling , who In one hand
carried a lanthorn and In the other a staff ,
over which ho bent with many wheezlngs
of exhausted breath.
"What would you with o. poor old man ? "
ho said.
"Wo would have shelter and fodder , if It
please you to give them to us , for God's
grace. "
The old man trembled so vehemently that
he was In danger of shaking out the rush
light , which flickered most dismally in hla
wooden lanthorn.
"I am a poor , poor man , " he quavered.
"I have naught In the world save some bar
ley meal and a little water. "
"That will do famously , " said James Doug
las. "Wo are hungry men , and will pay
well for all you give us. "
The countenance of the cripple Instantly
changed. He looked up at the speaker with
an alert expression.
"Pay , " he said , "pay did you not Bay
you would pay ? Why , I thought you were
gentlefolks. Now by that I know that you
are none , but of the commonalty like my
self. "
James Douglas took a gold angel out of
his belt and threw It to him. The crlpplo
collapsed upon the top of the piece of money
and groped vainly for It with eager out
spread fingers In the dust of the yard.
"I cannot find it , good gentleman , " he
piped , shrill as an cast wind. "Alas , what
shall I do ? Poor Casper cannot find it.
It woe not a piece of gold do tell me that
It was not a piece of gold to lose a piece
of gold , that were ruin Indeed ! "
Sholto picked up the lantern which had
slipped from his trembling hand. The tal
low was beginning to gutter out , as It lay on
Its fiiJe , and In a moment showed him the
gold glittering on some farm yard rubbish.
With a little shrill cry like a frightened
bird the old man fell upon It , as It had
been with his claws.
"Blto upon It and see If the gold be good ! "
said Sbolto smlllnt ; .
"Alas ! " cried the cripple , "I have but
ono tooth. But I know the coin. It is of
the right mintage and greaslness. O , lovely
gold beautiful gentlemen. Bide wbers
you are and I will be back with you in a
moment. "
And the old man limped away with as
tonishing quickness to hide hie acquisition ,
lest , mayhap , hia guests should repent them
and retract their liberality.
CHAPTER XLVII.
Camnr Mnrtln's Wife.
Presently he returned and conducted them
to a decent stable whcro they saw their
beasts bestowed and well provided with
fodder and forage for the night. Then the
old cripple , more than ever bent upon his
stick , but nevertheless chuckling to him *
self nil the way , preceded them Into the
houae.
"Ah , she Is clever , " ho muttered , "she
thinks her demon tells her everything. But
Li Mcffraye will not know where I have
hidden that beautiful gold ! "
So ho sniggered senllely to himself be-
' tucen bis tits of coughing.
It waa a low , wide room of strange aspect
Into which the old man conducted bis gueets.
The floor was of bard beaten earth , but
cleanly kept and firm to the feet. The fireplace -
| place , with a low hearth round it of built
stone , was placed in the mldit , and from th
rafters depended many chains and hooks. A
wooden settle ran half round the honrthntono
on the eldo farthest from the draught of the
door. The weary three eat down and
stretched their limbs. The flrp had burnt
low , nnd Sholto , reaching to a faggot heap
by the eldo wall , began to toss on boughs of
green birch In handfuls , till the lovcry white
flame arose and the sap epat and hissed In
explosive puffa.
nirch when 'tis green
Makes a Ore for a klngl
Mallso hummed the old Scots lines , and
the crlpplo coming In at that moment raised
a shrill bark of protest.
"Now haste theo with the .barley . brew , "
said Lord James , "for my stomach Is as deep
as a well and as empty as the purse of a
younger son. "
The strange crlpplo emitted another bird-
llko cachlnnatlon , llko the Bound which Is
made by the wodcn flywheel wherewithal
boya fright the crows from the cornfields
when the August sun Is yellowing the land.
"Poor old Caesar Martin can show you
something better than that , " he cried as ho
hlrplcd out ( as Motlso described It after
ward ) , nnd presently returned dragging a
great Iron pot with a strength which seemed
Incredible In so ramshackle a body.
"Ha ! hal" ho said , "hero IB fragrant etew ,
smell It. la it not good ? In ten minutes it
will bo so hot and toothsome that you will
scarcely hare patience to wait tin it bo de
cently cool in the platters. This Is ot com
mon Angevin stew , but Das Brstoon , whloh Is
a far better thing. "
Mallso rose and relisting th old man ,
with ono finger swung the pot to a orook that
hung over tfco cheerful blaw of th birch-
The old cripple , Oaesar Martin , now
mounted on a stool and etlrrcd the mess with
a long etlck , at the end of which was a steel
fork of two prongs. And as he stirred ho
talked.
"God bless you , say I , brave gentlemen ,
and good pilgrims ! Surely It was a wind
brave and fortunate that blew you hither to
taste of my broth. There bo One pigeons
hero , fat and young. There be leverets ,
Juicy and tender as a maid untried. There
what think you of that ? " ( ho held each upon
"And here b
on a prong as he spoke ) .
larks , partridge stuffed with sage , ripe
chestnuts from La Valery , and whisper It
not to any of the marshal's men , a fawn
from the park of a month old , dressed like
a kid so that none may know. "
"I suppose that so much providing ta for
your four sons ? " said Sholto.
The cripple laughed again his f ble ,
fleeting laugh.
"I have no sons , honest sir , " he said. It
was but a weakling's policy to tell you so.
leat there should have been evil in your
hearts. But I have a wlf , and that is
enough. You may bave heard ol her. She
la called La Meffraye. "
As he epoko his face took on an acc w
of white terror , even as It hod done when
ho looked out of the window.
"La Moffraye Is she well named , " he re
peated the appellation -with a harsh croak ,
as of a nlghthawk screaming. "God fore-
fend that she should com * tonight and flnd
you here ! "
"Why , good sir , " smiled James Douglas ,
"If that bo the manner Inwhich you speak
of your housewife , faith I am right glad to
have remained a bachelor. "
Caesar , the crlpplo , looked about Wm and
lowered his voice.
"Hush ! " he quavered , breathing hard , eo
that his words whistled between his tooth
less gums. "You do not know my wlfo.
I tell you , she is the familiar ot the marshal
himself. "
"Then , " cried James Douglas , dapping
his thigh , "ehe is young and pretty of a
surety. I know what these sold I ere ar
familiar with. I would that she would oema
bomo and partake with us now ! "
"Nay , " said the old man , without taking
offense , "you mistake , kind sir ; I meant
familiar in witchcraft In deviltry , not , es
It were , in levity and cozenage. "
The fragrant stew was now ready to be
dished In great platters of wood , and the
guests fell keenly to , each being provided
with a wooden spoon. The meat they cut
with their daggers , but the most part was ,
however , tender enough to come apart in
tholr fingers , -which , as all know , better
preserves the savor.
At first the crlpplo dented having any
wine , but another gold angel from the Lord
James Induced him to draw a leathern bottle
from sorao secret hoard and decant It Into a
pitcher for them. It was resinous and Span
ish , but , as Mallso said , "It made warm tbe
way it went down. " And , after all , with
wine , that Is always the principal thing.
As the feast proceeded old Caesar Martin
told the three Scots why all the long streets
ot the village had been cleared of children
so quickly at the first sound of their horses'
feet.
. . "And In truth it you had not come across
the moor , ibut along the beaten track from
the Chateau of Machecoul , you would twwr
have caught so much as a glimpse * of any
child nor mother .in all St. Phllbcrt ! "
His hand fumbled a moment at the closely
buttoned collar ct his blue blouse. Then
ho succeeded in undoing It and showed his
neck. From chin to bosom It was a mass
of ghastly bites , some partially healed , more
of them recent and yet raw , while his skin ,
so far as the three Scots could observe it ,
was covered with a hieroglyphic of scratches ,
claw marks , and It seemed the bites of some
fierce , wild beast ,
"Great Master of heaven ! " cried Jamra
Douglas , "what hellhound hath demo this to
you ? "
"Tho wlfo of my bosom , " quoth very
grimly Caesar , the cripple.
"A good evening to you gentlemen , all , "
said a soft and winning voice from the door
way. At the sound the old man staggered ,
reeled , and would have swayed Into the fire
had not Sholto seized him and dragged him
out upon the floor. All rose to their feet.
In the doorway of the cottage stood an old
woman , small , smiling , delicate of feature.
She looked benignly upon them and con
tinued to smile. Her hair and her eyes
were the most notable features about her.
The former was abundant and hung loosely
about her brow and over her shoulders In
wisps cf a curious green white , the color of
moldy cheese , while under shaggy white eye
brows her largo eyes shone piercing and
green as emerald etones on the hand ot
some dusky monarch of the Orient.
The woman it was who spoke first , be
fore any of the men could recover from tholr
surprise.
"My husband , " she said still calmy , smil
ing upon them , "my poor husband has
doubtless been telling you his foolish talen.
The saints have permitted him to become
demented. It is a great trial to a poor
woman llko me , but the will of heaven bo
done ! "
The three Scots stood client and trans
fixed , for it was an age of belief , but the
crlpplo lay back on the settle where Sholto
had placed him , his lips whtto and gluey.
And as ho lay he muttered audibly , "La
Meffrayel La Meffraye ! O , what will be
come of poor Caesar Martin this night ? "
CHAPTER XI/VIII.
It was a titrange night , that which the
tbreo Scots spent In the llttlo bouse stand
ing back from the street of St. Phllbert , on
the gloomy edges of the forest of Ma >
checoul. Their hostess , Indeed , was un-
wearledly kind , and brought forth from her
store many dainties for their delectation ,
She talked with touching affection of her
poor husband , afflicted with these strange
fits of wolfish mania , in tbe paroxysms ot
which ho was wont to tear himself and
grovel In the dust like a beaut.
This she told them over and over , as sb
moved about , setttne before them dalntlea
from secret stores ot her own , obviously un *
known , or perhaps forbidden , to Caeaar
Martin.
Wild bee honey from the woods she placed
before them , and white wbeaten. bread.
such a * could not to got nearer than Part * ,
with wine of aomo rarer vintage than thai
out of the cripple's rrslnotts pigskin. These
nnd much else La Meffrayo prcarcd upon
them , till she had completely won over tha
lord James , and oven Mnllse , eaey-naturcd
like most very strong men , was taken by
the sympathetic conversation nnd gracious
kindliness of the wlfo of poor , afflicted
Caesar Martin of St. Phllbcrt. Only Sholtt
kept his suspicion Hged and pointed , anJ
resolved that ho would not sleep that night ,
but watch till the dawn the things which
might befall In the house on the forest's
edge.
Yet It was conspicuously to Sholto that La
Moffraye directed most of her blandish
ments.
Her ruddy face , so bright that It teemed
wholly covered with a birthmark , gleamed
with the most absolute good nature , Shs
threw off the black coiffure of green fungoid
h lr. She placed her choicest morsels be
fore the young captain of the Douglas
guard.
"You do not speak like the folk of th
south , " she eald to the Lord James. "Neither
are you northmen nor of the Midi. From
what country may you be ? " the question
dropped casually as to fill up the time.
"Wo are poor Scots who have lived long
under the protection of your good King
Charles , the seventh of that name , and hav
ing been restored to our possessions after
the turning out of the English , wo ore mak
ing a pilgrimage In order to visit our friends
and also to lay our thanks upon the altar
of the blessed St. Andrew in his own town
in Scotland. "
The old woman listened , approvingly nod
ding her head as ths Lord James reeled off
this Invention. But at the mention of the
land ot the Boots La Meffraye pricked nor
ears.
"Scots " she said , meditatively , "that
will surely Interest ray lord , who hath but
recently returned from that country , whtthor
they say ho hath been upon a very con
fidential embassy from the king. "
It woe the Lord James who asked tha
next question.
"Havo you heard whether any of our na
tion returned with him from our country ?
Wo would gladly meet with any such , that
wo might hear again the tongue or our na
tivity , which Is ever sweet In a strange
land , nnd also , if it might be , take back
tidings of them to tholr folk In Scotland. "
"Nay , " answered La Meffraye , standing
before them with her eyes shrewdly fixed
upon the face of the speaker , "I have heard
of none such. Yet it may well be , for tha
marshal is very fond of the society of the
young , oven as I am. Ho has many boy
singers for his choir , maidens also for his
religious processions. Indeed , never do 1
visit Machecoul without finding a pretty boyer
or a stripling' girl passing so innocently In
and out of his study. "
"In his lordship even now at Machecoul ? "
asked James Douglas , bluntly. The Lord
James prided himself upon his tact , but
when he sot out to manifest It Sholto groaned
Inwardly. He never knew from ono moment
to another what the reckless young lord
might do or say next.
"I do not oven know whether the marshal
Is now at Machecoul. The rich and great ,
they come and go , and wo poor folk under
stand It no more * than the passing of ths
wind or the flight of the birds. But let us
get to our couches. The morn will noon bo
hero and It must not flnd our bodies un.
rested or our eyes unrefreshed. "
La Meffraye showed her guests where to
make their beds In tbe outer room of the
cottage , which they did by moving ths
bench back and stretching themselves with
their heads to the wall and their feet to ths
fire. Sholto lay on the side furthest from
the entrance of the room to which La
Meffraye had retired with her husband.
Maltee was on the other side nnd Lord James
lay In the midst , as most befitted his rank.
These last were almost instantly asleep ,
being tired with their Journeying and heavy
with the meal of which they had partaken ,
but every seme in Sholto's body was keenly
awake. A vague inexpressible fear possessed
him. He lay watching the red embers , and
through the wide opening In the roof ho
could discern the twinkling of a star.
Within the chamber of La Meffraye there
was silence. Sholto could not even hear the
heavy breathing of Caesar Martin. Tha
silence was complete.
Suddenly from far away there came up the
howling of a wolf. It was not an uncommon
eound In the- forests of France or even In
thoee of his own country , but somehow
Sholto listened .with a growing dread. Nearer
and nearer it came , till It seemsd to rever
berate Immediately beneath the eaves of the
dwelling of Caesar the cripple.
The flicker of tbe embers died slowly out
Mallso lay without sound , his head couchet
on his hand. Lord James began to groan
and moved uneasily , llko one In the grip
of nightmare. Solto listened acutely. Out
side the house he could hear the soft pad-
pad of wild animals , Their pelt seemed al
most to brush against the walls behind his
head with a rustle llko corded silk. Sholto
felt nervously for his sword and cleared
It Instinctively of the coverture in which ho
was wrapped. Execution tingled In his
cheeks and palms. The ellence grew more
and more oppressive. He could hear noth
ing but that soft brushing and the galloping
pads outside as of something that went
round the house and round the house , weav
ing a toll of terror and death about the
doomed Inmates.
Suddenly from the
adjoining chamber a
cry burst forth so shrill and terrible that
not only Sholto but Mallse also leaped to
his feet.
"Mercy Mercy ! Hove mercy , La Mef
fraye ! " It walled.
Sholto rushed across the floor , strik
ing the body of James Douglas in his haste.
Ho dashed the door of the inner chamber
open and was Just In time to see something
dark and lithe dart through the window and
disappear Into the indigo gloom without.
From the bed there came a series of gasp
ing moans , as from a man at the point of
death.
"For God's sake bring a light ! " crlwl
Sholto , "thero Is 'black ' murder done here. "
His father ran to the hearth , and seizing
a birchen brand , the end of which was still
red , ho blew upon It with care and success
till It burst Into a whlto. brilliant flame that
lighted all the house. Then he , too , entered
the room where Sholto with his nword ready
In his hand , was standing over the gasping ,
dying thing on the bed.
When Maflso thrust forward the torch , lo !
there , extended on the couch on which they
had laid him two hours before , lay the yet
twitching body of Caesar , the cripple , with
tils throat well-nigh bitten away.
But La Meffraye was nowhere to bo seen
( To bo Continued. )
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