Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-04-20

NC WIS 0cdE1y cuptltu 06 rUS0.
Though l prudently remained behind, I
could, through the open window, hear as
well as see what passed. The leading
spirits had naturally struggled out first
and were gathered, sullen and full of dan
gerous possibilities, about the porch.
suppose the bishops messenger saw in
them nothing but q crowd of country
clowns, for he came hectoring toward the
door, shifting his boot with his whip and
putting out his red checks nightly. He
felt brave enough, now that he had dined
and had at his back three stout constables
sworn to keep the queens peace.
Mako way! Make way therel Do you
heart" he cried in a husky, pompous
voice. MAKE wayr' he repeated, lightly
touching the nearest man with his switch.
II am on the queens service, boobies, and
must not be hindered."
Tho man swore AZ him, but did not
bulge, and the bully, brought up thus
sharply, awoke to the lowering faces and
threatening looks which confronted him.
He changed color little. But the ale
was still in him, and forgetting his nat
ural discretion he thought to carry mat
tiers with high hand. Come, come, +" he
exclaimed angrily. II have q warrant,
and you resist me at your peril. l have to
enter this house. Clear the way, Master
Hundrcdman, and break these fellows
heads if they withstand you"
A growl as Of a dozen bulldogs answer
ed him, and he drew back as q child might
who has trodden on an adder You
fools!" he spluttered, glaring at them
viciously. Are you mad? Do you know
what you arc doing? Do you see thiss"
He whipped out from some pocket q short
white staff and brandished it. Il come d.
rect from tho lord chancellor and upon his
business. DO you hear' And If you resist
me it is treason. Treason, you dogs!' he
cried, his rage getting the better of him,
land like dogs you will hang for it. Mas
ter 'HuDdredman, order you to take n
your constables and arrest that manr'
What mann" quoth Tom Miller, ey-
ing him Gxclly.
THE stranger who came in an hour ago
and is inside the house,
"IIim. he means, who told about the
purveyor across tho road" explained the
monk, with "a wink.
That wink sufficed. There was a roar
Of execration, and in the twinkling of an
eye the Jack in office, tripped up this way
and showed that, was struggling helpless
fought savagely for his body with the
hundredman and tho constables.
To the river! To the Ouse with him!"
yelled the mob. I'm tho queens name!"
shouted the officers. But these were to
those as three to a score and taken by sur
prise besides and doubtful of the rights Of
the matter. Yet, for an instant, as the
crowd went Keeling and fighting down the
road, they prevailed, the constables man.
aged to drag their leader free, and caught
a glimpse of him, wild eyed and frantic
with fear, his clothes torn from his back,
standing at bay like some animal and
brandishing his staff in one hand, q packet
of letters in the other.
Il have letters, letters of stated" he
screamed shrilly. Let me alone, tell
you! Let me go, you curs''
But in vain. The next instant the mob
were upon him again. The packet of let
tiers went one way, the staff was dashed
another. He was thrown down and plucked
up again and hurried, bruised and strug-
Cling, toward the river, his screams for
mercy and furious threats rising shrilly
above the oaths and laughter.
felt myself growing pale as scream
followed scream. They will kill him!"
I exclaimed, trembling, and prepared to
follow. Il cannot see this done.''
But the monk, who had returned to my
side, graspcd my arm. Don't be fool,
he said sharply. II will answer for it,
they will not kill him Tom Miller is not
a fool though he is angry. He will duck
him and let him 60. But will trouble
you for that bit of gold, young gentle
man."
gave it to him.
Now" he continued, with a lcer, IT
will give you hint in return. If you arc
wise, you will be out of this county in 10
hours. Tethered to the gate over there is
a good horse, which belongs to a certain
purveyor now in the river. Take it! There
is no one to say you nay. And begone!"
looked hard at him for minute, my
heart beating fast. This was horse steal
ing, and horse stealing was a hanging
matter But had done so much already
that felt / might as well be hanged for a
sheep as for lamb. I was not sure that
l had not melted to treason, and what
was stealing horse beside that. II will
do it, " said desperately.
Don't lose time, them" quoth my
mentor.
went out then and there and found he
had told the truth. Every soul in the
place had gone to see the ducking and the
street was empty. Kicked aside in the
roadway lay the bundle of letters, soiled,
but not torn, and in the gutter was the
staff. I stopped and picked up one and
the otEer-in for a lamb, in for q sheep,
and they might be useful some day. Then
jumped into the saddle and twitched the
reins off the hook.
But before could drive in the spurs q
hand fell on the bride, and the monks
face appeared at my knee. WELT" said,
giaring down at him. I was burning to
be away.
THAT is q good cloak you have got
there, he muttered hurriedly. There,
strapped to the saddle, you fool! You do
not want that. Give it me. Do you hear?
Quick, give 1t me!'' he cried, raising his
voice and clutching at it fiercely, his face
dark with greed and fear.
Il see,"I replied as I unstrapped it.
II am to steal the horse that you may get
the cloak. And then you will lay the lot
on my shoulders. Well. take it!'' cried,
and go your way as fast as you can"
Throwing it at him as hard as I could,
I shook up the reins and went of down
the road ut q gallop. The wind whistled
pleasantly past my ears. The sounds Of
the town grew faint and distant. Each
q A.