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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (June 14, 1903)
June 14, 1903. nt he remained motionless, panting Ilka a trapped animal, for the giant form of Armstrong stood with his buck against the door, the only exit. "Very well. Come down." said Traqualr, Quietly. When the sentinel returned Trnquair bade him get rope and tie the Innkeeper hand and foot, while the prisoner groveled for his life, his supplications meeting with no response. "Now take him outside. Anmis. and If there is any attempt on his part to move or if there is an alarm of rescue run him through with your pike and retreat on us. As for you. you false knave, your life will depend on your lying quiet fr the moment and on what you till us here after." "Am I ta be taken awa your merciful lordship?" sobbed the man. who. now that his life seemed in no Immediate danger turned his anxiety toward his property' "What 'ull become o' th' Inn, fur therms nane here ta tak care o't?" "We'll take care o't, never fear." replied Traqualr, grimly. The stalwart Angus dragged the man out and the door was once more closed. "I think we may venture to seat our selves again." said Traqualr, suiting the acllon to the word. "There's nothing more to be done, and pursuit Is hopeless." All sat down with the exception of Arm strong, who remained standing with his back to the door, gazing somewhat scorn fully on the conclave. "You will pardon me, Tnqiair." ean Armstrong, "for you know I would be glad to forward anything you had a hand In, short of slipping my neck into a noose, but at that point I draw back. I ll not set foot on English soil now, king or no king Man. Traqualr. I wonder at you! The lot of you remind me of a covey of partridges Holding conference In a fox's den." "I'm not going to defend the covey of partridges. Will, but after all s said and done the danger's not so much greater than It was before." "Do you think I'm fool rnough to set face south when there's a spy galloping ahead of me with full particulars of every Item In my wallet? Not me! It was bad enough before, as you say; now It's Impossible. That Is, It Is Impossible for me. for the Hy ing man knows all about me. No; the proper thing to do Is to meet at your castle, or some other safe place, and choose a man whose name and description are not In the wind ahead of him." "But I've known you to clench with qulto as dangerous a task before." "It's not the danger. Traqualr, as much as the folly that holds me back. I've been In many a foolish scramble before now as you have hinted, but I learn wisdom with age. and thus differ from our friend Solo mon." "Will nothing change your decision" "Nothing; nothing In the world; not any. thing even you can say. my lord. Any trampling ass may break an egg but once broken the wisest man In the kingdom cannot place It together again Tonight's egg Is smashed. Traqualr" "I canna blame you; I canna blame you." said the earl dejectedly, drawing a deep sigh. Then turning to the others he con tinued: "Gentlemen, there's no more to be said. We must convene again. Would to- forryou'"r a"er' convenlen It was agreed that the meeting should take place two days from that time. "You are not angry with me. Traqualr?" asked Armstrong. "Not in the least. Will. I appreciate your point of view, and were I in your place I should have reached exactly the same con clusion." "Then I must beg a bed from you to night. I have no wish to stay In this place, and if you are bent for home, as I surmise. I 11 Just trot my nag alongside o1 yours " "I was this moment going to ask you. for I confess 1 11 ride the safer that your stout arm la near." The company left the Inn together and In the middle of the road, before the house they found Angus, with a torch, standing guard over a shapeless bundle huddled at h s feet. The bundle was making faint pleadings to the man-at-arms, to which that warrior was listening with stolid In difference. The murmurs ceased as the group of men drew near. Traqualr ex tended a cordial Invitation to all or any to spend the night at the castle, which was the nearest house, but the others did not accept. Kach man got upon his horse, and ?.Went nS dlr,ctlon "! another. Fling your lighted torch into the loft." aid Traqualr to Angus. .hZM,""" PreVent th'" wo,f worrylnf about his property. When you've done that, throw him across your horse Z ISZlZt"" there been B,en ?? l?Tf" ref"M Anu"' Promptly obeying the Injunction about the torch He then tossed the howling human mass front of his saddle, sprang Into his seat and went down the road after the two who preceded him, the flames from the burning bothy already throwing long shadows ahead. The earl of Traqnalr, chagrined ,t the temporary defeat of his plans. Inwardly cursing the stupidity of those with whom be was compelled to act. rode moody and Ulent, and this reaerv. the young JLii " t THE ILLUSTRATED BEE. his side made no attempt to Interrupt, until they had reached a slight eminence, where the nobleman reined in his horse and locked back down the valley at the biasing stead ing which now Oiled the hollow with Its radiance. "We will wait here till Angus overt ike us," he said. "This bonfire m ly coll ct some of the moths and it's better traveling tliree than two." "We've not far to go," said Armntr.ing. "and that's a blessing, for I'm on a 1 nj Jaunt In the morning and would be glad of my lied as soon as may Ik." "Where are you off to?" asked the e:irl Indifferently, gazing anxiously down the road for a sight of his follower, who wad not yet visible. Armstrong replied with equal nonchal ance: "Oh, I'm just away for Oxford to cirry a message from Iord Tarquatr to the king of England." "Wfiat!" cried his lordship, nearly start ing from his saddle In amaxement. "Surely my talk before these cuddles did not mislead you? I'll take your message through and bring you back an answer. If the things possible, but I cannot have those fools pottering and whlsp ring In the matter. They must know nothing of my going. You will meet them Iwj days h-n-e, accept whomsoever they propose and let him blunder along to a rebel gallows. It will be one blockhead out of the way and then wise folk can do their bit travels un molested." "But how can I send papers with him when they'll be Id your pouch?" Indeed, and that they will not be. Thfi night's work compels one to u change of program. I shall carry no papers with me. If you let me read them I'll remember every word, though they be us long as the Psalms. I'll repeat them to the king with as few slips as any man in the re Urn. It would be folly for me, now that Crom well's spy Is on the gallop, to carry a line of writing that bears relation to politics. I'll be arrested before I'm a mile beyond the border, so my chance of getting through ' will depend on the search they make. If they find nothing It is likely they'll let me go, and I must manage to get back as bejt I can. There's no sense In being hanged for a spy the first day I set out." CHAPTEH IX. Enprlar, The next morning early William Arm strong, on Bruce, his black horse, tet out for the border with the good wishes of his host. His naturally gay demeanor was subdued and he muttered to himself with wrinkled brow as he rode alons. This unwonted abstraction was not on account of the danger which he knew lay ahead of him, but because he wan committing to memory tho message to the king. Arriving at a forking of the road, both branches tending south, he paused and pondered. Which should he take? He knew them equally well. The main road led to Carlisle, and In time of peace would have been preferable; the other, less direct, would probably carry him further In these uncertain times. That he could avoid con tact with the Parliamentary forces was Im possible, whichever road he took, and the question which now demanded solution was not so much his direction as whether It were well to bring on his inevitable en counter with the Cromwellites sooner or later. But to an observer he bore the attitude of a stranger who had lost his way. This was evidently the conclusion arrived st by an object hidden In the hedge, which had proved his night's lodging. The object sprang out across the ditch, with a sud denness that made the horse start and snort in alarm, to be soothed by the gentle pat of its rider's hand, for the imperturba ble Armstrong seemed surprised at nothing which took place. The object had the wild, unkempt appearance of one who habitually slept out of doors. His long and matted hair, emaciated face and clothing, or cover ing rather, made up of odds and ends of various costumes, formed a combination by no means attractive. He held in his hand, grasped by the middle, a long stick, some what taller than himself. "Which road are you going to take, my gay gentleman?" he cried. "I was Just switherin'." "Ah, you're from Scotland. They tell me they grow a fine crop of fools there. The road n the right leads to Carlisle, and the fool's name in that direction is the king. The safest way is the one you came, and the fool's name there Is like to be Cromwell, so they tell me. Am I to get the fool's price for advice?" The horseman threw him a coin, which the object clutched in mid air with great expertness and examined eagerly. "Thank you, gay gentleman. The advice Is to turn your fine horse end for end and get back among the fools of your kidney. We are always safer among our own kind." "Are there eany cattle for sale here about? I see none In the fields. " "Everythlngs for sale In England, crown, cattle, opinions, swords; O, It's a great market for cutlery. But the price la un certain and various. "Well, it's cattle, not cutlery, I want to buy." 1 sometimes sell cattle myself" said the object with a cunning look. "It does not seem a . very prosperous buslnesM, then? Where do you get your stock?" "O, I pick it up on the roads. You'll find no cattle on the way to Carlisle. The country Is swept bare In that direction. But 1 can lead tou to a line herd if you make it worth my while." "In which direction?" "lown tliis way. Come along. Are you after any particular breed?" "No. An)ll'i"K t 'nere's money in." "You're Just like me," said the vagrant with a laugh, as he strode off down the un frequented road. The ol-Jevt wa ked with Incredible spied, lauding to himself now and then, ami Armstrong waa forced to trot his horse to keep up with him. On ar riving at a sliKht eminence the i;,ildc- waved his long arm toward a steading in the val ley, which looked like a di scried group of farm buildings, and said: "There's u lino lot of cattle down yon der." "I can Fee no signs of them." "No. no They're well stabled. Nothing lasts In the fields nowadays. They're not such fools as that. This herdsmnn knows when to keep his beasts In shelter." And with this the vagabond raised a shrill shout that echoed from tho opposite hills. "What are you crying like that for?" asked Armstrong, without showing any alarm. "Oh, Just to let the farmers know we'ro coming. Always give friendly warning in these parts and thrn you may not get something in your Inside that's hard to di gest. That's a fool's advice, and costs you nothing." "Your cry meets with no response," said Armstrong, laughing at tho shallow cun ning of his treacherous guide, for his keen eyes noted crouching figures making way along the other side of a hedge, and he' knew that if he went down the lane, at whose Junction with the road the beggar stood with repressed eagerness, he would find himself surrounded. Nevertheless, he followed without betraying any knowledge of the trap he was entering. As they ncared tho farmhouse, a voice cried sharply. "Halt!" and an armed man sprang from behind the hedge, cutting off retreat. If such had been attempted. While tho others made through the hedge to the lane, the tattered man as nimbly put the hedge between himself and bis victim, as If fearing a reprisal, laughing boisterously but rather nervously. "Brave Captain, I've brought you a fine horse and a gay gentleman, and the two are for sale." The mar. who had cried "Halt!" stepped forth from the shelter of the nearest out building, a drawn sword in his hand, fol lowed by two others with primed match locks, stoMdly ready for any emergency. Four others closed up the rear, coming down the lane. There was no mistaking the fact that the man with the drawn sword was an officer, even if the object had not addressed him as captain, a sanitation to which he paid no attention, for although his uniform showed little difference from that of his men, he had In his stern face the look of one accustomed to obedience. The horseman had drawn up at the word and sat quite nonchalantly on his steed, as if this were an affair of no particular con cern to himself. "Who are you?" asked the captain. "My name is William Armstrong," replied the rider simply. In spite of himself, the stolid face of the leader showed some sur prise at this announcement, as If it were unexpected, and as If he knew the name." "Where are you from?" "I came across the border this morning. I am a Scotsman." "Why are you here?" "I am a rattle dealer, and as there is little doing in my own country I thought I would Just see if business was better on this sldo of the line. This amusing lunatic said there was cattle for sale In the valley and led me hither, for which service I paid him a trifle." "And so there Is, and so there Is," cried the lunatic, "but the price was for my ad vice, not for the leading hither. I must get my pay for that yet. Aye, there's cat tle for sale here, and I'm the market man." "Peace to your folly," said the captain, scowling. Then curtly to the horseman, "Dismount." Armstrong sprang to the ground. "Your sword," demanded the officer. The weapon wss hnnded to him. "Do cattle dealers in your country carry arms?" "To tell you the truth," said the young man with a laugh, "if they did not they would carry little money home with them. I not only carry arms, but know how to use them on occasions." "I ask to see your papers giving you permission to travel In England." "I have none. Sovtland is at peace with England and a citlsen of my conntry should not require papers In visiting Eng land, any more than an Englishman would need the same to go from one end of Scot land to the other." 'Humph," growled the captain, "you are well versed In the law. I hope yon are en gaged In no enterprise that Is contrary to It." t hope not, cap tarn-, if you are king's 11 men you maintain that you are upholding the law. If you are parliamentary yo swear the same thing." "We swear not at ull." "Then I uniiilse you are no King's men. But. In any case, until one or other of you have declared war against Scotland, or until Scotland has declared war against either of j c u, or h th, yen mcddl,- with a free citizen of Scotland your peril." "It Is perhaps wisest to indulge in no threats." "I am not Indulging In any. I jfni stating a plain, uncontrovertible fact, that would bo held by none so stoutly as by (iener.il Cromwell himself." "Then keen your dissertations on law un til you sc.- the general, which Is likely to happen heroic we are ilo.ie with you." "Nothing wtu'd give nie greater pleasure than to have a discourse with that dis tinguished man. He Is u lighter after my own heart, and 1 understand he is equally powerful In controversy." "Search him." To this order Armstrong not only made no objection, but usslstcd In Its fulfillment. He took ofT his doublet and threw It to one of the men who approached him, then held his arms outstretched that another might, with greater ease, conduct his examination. A third paid minute attention to the sad dlebags, and a fourth took the saddle Itself off the horse. The search brought to light some papers that conveyed excellent information regarding steers nnd cows, but nott.lng nbout politics. Tha officer had ullsud the Int. rval In writing a brief ditpai.h. which he now handed to a young horseman. "Klde hard and give that to Cen.ral Cromwell us mm es y u can. In case you should lose It, tell him we have got our man, who crossed the border this mo.nlng. Say we are bringing h;u to Curll.on Manor, ns di rected, and expect to reach th-re before dusk." The youth, without replv or eiluti, pocketed tho paper, shook out the lulus and was off like tho win I, Ar.nstr.nj watching tho pair w:th a i,l iw of admira tion In his eyes. Although unusue.l to t'.ie life of a camp, he was much slru. k by the absence of uny uttempt at seer, cy la the proceedings. There wis n efTiit to be wilder the prisoner cr make a mystery of the affair. That his adent had teo.i ex pected was perfectly clear nl that a written description of his person had been distributed along tho border w.n e;;u.illy evident. They had been watching tor him and now they had him. There was no military fuss about the matter and ap parently very little discipline jet Instant and unquestioned obedience, without ac companiment of formal deference to au thority or the genuflexions or saluU to superiors. But underneath it all was hint of power und efficiency. Armslrj.ig realised that he was in the clutch of an admirably constructed human macli no that knew what It wanted and went straight for It. No one had spoken except tho captain, yet every man was on the alert to do what was required of him instantly, capably and In silence. At a word from the captain a bugle call rang out uud Its effect was soon apparent. An accoutred horse was led to the captain, who sprang Into hla place with the ease of one accustomed to the feat, and from the buildings appeared something like a scora of mounted troopers. "Get into your saddle," commanded tho captain, addressing Armstrong. The latter tested the buckling, whlh a soldier had Just finished, drew up the strap a point, then, with his foot in the stirrup, turned and asked: "Am I to consider myself a prisoner, sir?" "Whatever questions you wish to put will be answered presently by one higher In authority thun I." B"1.. mU8t protfcHt agaia-t this detention. "Your protest will doubtless be consldeied by the officer I referred to." "General Cromwell. I surmise?" "Or one delegated by him. Mount, we have far to go." Armstrong leaped Into the saddle and the troop set off, with the captain at the head and himself in the midst of it. There waa no chance of escape, oven if he meditated such an attempt, which apparently he did not. The direction tended south and east, and as the sun was setting they came to Corblton Manor, a large country house, which was seemingly tho headquarters of a considerable section of tiie army en. camped in the neighborhood. In to a ro ro of this mansion Armstrong was conducted and left under guard, and he was pleased to see by tho spread table that there was at least no design on the part of bis captors to starve him. (To be Continued.) Relief Carrie Oh, how do yoq do, Kate? I'm so glad to see you! Constance s gown la the dowdiest, thing I ever saw. Kate Isn't that a queer way of opening a conversation? Carrie Yes, I suppose it Is; but I Just told Constance her frock was the most beautiful and most becoming thing she ever wore, and I wan Just dying to say what I thought about the dress. Boston Transcript.
