Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-06-20

in long passage WIN hanusome lamp
hanging at the uttermost end, and beneath
this lamp l stepped into place that filed me
with astonishnent.
Twas, could not doubt, the entrance hall
Of the governors house. An oak door, very
massive, fronted me; to left and right were
two smaller doors that plainly led into apart
ments of the house. Also TO my left, and
higher than the door on that side, ran up
broad staircase, carpeted and brightly lit all
theway, so that a very blaze fell on me as I
stood. Under the first flight, close to my left
shoulder, was line of pegs with many cloaks
and hats depending therefrom Underfoot,
remember, the hall was richly tiled in squares
Of red and white marble
Now, clearly, this was a certain place
wherein TO be caught. "But," thought ],
''behind one OF the two doors, to left or to
right must lie the governors room of busi-
ness; and in that room-as likely as not-his
keys Which door, then, should 1 choosei
| For to stay here was madness.
While l stood bordering, tho doubt was
answered for me. From behind the right
hand door came burst Of laughter and
clinllng Of glasses, on top Of which mans
voice-the voice of Col. Essex-called out for
moro wine.
l took step to the door on the left paused
| for q second or two with my hand on the
latch, and then cautiously pushed it open.
| The chamber empty.
Twas long room, with light burning
on square center table, and around it a
mass Of books, loose papers and documents
strewn, seemingly without order. The floor,
too, was Uttered with them. Clearly this was
the colonel's office
gave a rapid glance around. The lamps
rays scarce illumined the far corners; but in
one Of these stood great leathern screen,
and over a fireplace near it a rack was hang
ing, full of swords, pistols and walking
canes. Stepping towards it, caught sight of
Anthonys sword, suspended there amongst
the rest (they had taken it from neon the day
of my examination, which now took down
and strapped at my side. then chose out a
pistol or two, slipped them into my sash and
advanced to the center table
Under the lamp lay his majestys letter,
open.
My hand was stretched out to catch it up,
when heard across the hall door opened
and the sound Of mems voices They were
coming towards the Office.
There was scarce time to slip back and hide
behind the screen before the door latch was
lifted and two men entered, laughing yet.
business, my lord-business, said the
first Ctwas Col. Essex; 81 have much to do
tonight"
"Sure," the other answered, ~ thought
we had settled it. You are to lend me a
thousand out of your garrison
(which on my own part l would willingly
do. Only l beg you to consider, my lord,
that my position here hangs on a thread.
The extreme men are already against me-
They talk Of replacing me by Nennesn-
Nat Fieunes is no soldier
mo. but he's a bigot-a stronger recon-
mendation. Should this plan miscarry and
lose a thousand men"-
''Ieavens alive man! 1t cannot miscarry
Hark We; there's Ruthen of Plymouth vii
take the south road with all his forces. A
days march behind l shall follow-alonl
roads to northward- for u way, hN
afterwards converging. The Cornishmen az,
, all in Bodmn. We shall come on them witt
double their number-ay, almost treble
} Can you doubt the issue"
Scarcely, with tbs Earl of Stamford fol
general"
t The earl was too far occupied to notice thi:
compliment.
/ Twill be swift and secret he said, "a
Death hmself-and as sure. Let the fac
that Hopton is all at skies and sevens sine,
the marquis shipped for Wales, and at dag
gers drawn with Monun.'
Said the colonel slowly, "Av, the motion
! is good enough. Were | not in this corner,
t would not think twice. Listen now; onl,
Y this morning they forced me TO order voun.
t mans hanging, who might if kept alive b.
i forced in time to give Us news Of value.
. dared not refuse
5 He that you caught with the kings lei
:, tarf
i Ava trumpery missive, dealing wit
a naught but summonlng of tic ,herlT's pos.
t and the like. There is more behind, coul
we but wait Il get at it
, The gallows may loosen his tongue. AM
;, how of the girl that was taken too:'
II Il have her IN safe ke,.liug. THIS YER
Il evening shall visit her an: make anothe
= trial to get some speech. " Aicn puts me il
g mind -
i The colonel tinkled small hand bell tina
lay on the table.
a The pause that followed was broken by tn
II earl
e May see that letter."
l. The colonel handed it, and tinked the be
v again, moro impauently, AT length stel
were heard in the hail. and a servant openc
d the door.
X ~, here IS Gilas'" asked the colonel. "Wh
!; are you taking his place"
lie Giles can't be found, your honor"
IL 'Hey!'
Hes queer oldster Your honor an ma
N be gone to bed wi his aches and palms,
s, Il knew pretty well that GILES had done Il
II such thing; but be sure kept the know
ie edge safe behind my screen0
II Then so seek him, and say No, stoI
can't wait. Order the coach around at ii
barbican in twenty minutes from now
to twenty minutes, mind, without fail. An
OF say-'twill save time-the fellows to driy
ut me TO Mistress Finch's house in St. Thomi
a street-sharp!'
1k AS the man departed on his errand Il
T. earl laid down his majesty's letter
le Hang the fellow he said, IF they wal
d, it; the blame, if any, will be theirs. But,
be the name Of heaven, colonel, don't fail
lending Inc this thousand men! Twill fms
IN the war out Of hand"
I'll do it, answered the colonel slowly,
~ "And III remember it, said the earl IT
Id morrow, at o'clock, set OUT
o The two men shook hands on Sher bargai
and left the room, shutting tive door aft,
a them.
crept forth from behind the screen, m
r. heart thumDinp on my ribs Thus far IL la