Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-07-20
CHAPTER XVI

matter l lave mentioned much in nv
mind, begged him to go and get INC
writing materials. When no returned.
Van Tree was with him. With particu-
larity very curious ut that moment, 1 re-
marked that tho latter was carrying some
thing.
Where did you get thotir said sharp
ly and at once.
1T is Jour baversack," he answered,
setting il down quietly. Il found the
Ian who had taken possession of your
herso and got 1t from him. / thought
there might be something in 1t you might
like"
1t Is mY iavcIsack, l asscnted, .'but
it was not ON my horse. ! have rot seen
it sinco / left it in Master Lindstror,l' $
house By the river. l left it on the pallet
I'm my room there and it was forgotten.
l searched for 1t at Enmerich, you re-
member
II only know" he replied, THAT dis
covered it behind tho saddle of tho horse
you were riding ycstGrdny"
He thought that had become confused
and was I, little wrong headed from cx-
citerncnt. Master Iindstrom also feI.
troubled, as 10 told mo aftcrwart, Mt SEQ.
Ing mo taken up with a triilc at such n
time.
But there was nothing wrong with my
wits, as promptly showed them.
The horse WINS riding yesterday" /
continued. "Ah, then, understand.
was riding the horse which took from
tho Spanish trooper. The Spaniurd must
have annexed the hGvcrsack when he and
his companions searched the house after
our departure"
That Is il, no doubt" Master Lind
s:roln said. And in the hurry of yestcr-
tIny - ride yuu failed IN ,,nfico
1t wns n strange way OF recovering ones
property-strangc that the enemy should
have helped ono to II. But there ere times
and this to me was onc-when tho
strange .ccms tho ordinary and common
place. / took tho sacli and slipped my
hand through Il well known slit in the lin
Ing. Yes, tho lottCr had left there was
still therc-thc letter to Mistress Clarence.
drew 1t cut. The corners of the littlo
packet Were fraycd, and tho parchment
was stained and discolorcd, no doubt by
the damp which had penetrated to It. But
tho seal was whole. l plnccd 1T, rs it was,
in Master Lindstfom's hands
'Giyo II, l said, 'to the duchess after
ward. 1t concerns her. You have heard
us talk about 1t. Bid her make what use
shc picnses Of it,
turned away then md sat down. feel
ing little Hurried and excited as ono
about to start upon Journey might feel
not aiyaid nor exceedingly depressed, but
braccd up to make IA brave show and hide
what sadness l did feel by the knowledge
that many eyes were upon me, and that
moro would nc watching me presently.
At tho far end Of the room u number of
people had now gathered and were con-
vcrsing together. Among them were not
only my jailcrs Of the night, hut two or
three officers, priest who had como to
Oifor me his services and some inqusitivc
gaZcrs who had obtained admission Their
curiosity, however, did not distress lie.
On tho contrary, was glad to hear the
stir and mur;nur Of lifo about Inc to tho
last
will not set down tho letter I wrote
to tho duchess, though it wcro easy for me
to do so, seeing that her son has it now.
1t contains some things very proper to be
said by dying man. Of which am net
ashamcd-GoI forbid,-but which il
would not be meet for me to repeat here.
Enough that I told her in Il few words
who was and ontreatcd her in tic namo
OF whatever services I had rendered her to
let Pctronilla end Sir Anthony know how
had died, and added something which
would, thought, comfort her and her
Overwhelmingly TINT l was not afraid
or In any suffering of mind or body
The writing Of this shook my compo-
suru a little, but as l laid down the zen
land looked UP and found that the time
was como l took courage In n marvellous
manner. The captain of the cuard-I
think that ont of a compassionate desire |
not tn interrupt mo they had allowed me
some minutes of gracc--cainc rs me. lcav- |
ing the group at the other end, and told
me Gravcly that I was waited for. rose |
Mt once ard gave the letter To Master Lind |
stroin, with some messages In which |
Dymrhna and Anne We're not forgotten,
ana then, with siniic-for felt under |
All these eyes as il l were going into bat |
tlc-i said ''Gcntlomon, l an ready IL you |
are. IL is a i,nc day to q 10 You know"
a"dot Eayly, in England We have n |
rrovcFh. The better the day The better rho |
acri. - Is Is well to have "A good day to
have good death, Sir Captain"
y soldiers death, sir, is n good death"
he answered graycly, speaking in Spanish |
ana bowling
lhcn he pointed to tao door
As l walked toward ii paused momon-
fafily by the window and Locked out on |
tho crowd below. IL filed the sunlit |
street. save whore n little raised platform |
sirowh with PUSHES pro;ru,lcd itsclf-with |
heads from wall to wall. with faces all
turned one wa!-toward me. IL was a
sii'ht C'oW", staining III hushCd awe and |
expectation, inc Consciousness If which |
cent a sudden chill To my heart blanching
My. check and making my blood run low
for moment. The next moved On 10
tho door, and bowling to the spectators as
they stood aside began 10 descend the mar
row staircase.
There wero guards going down before
me, and behind me wcro Master I.iudstrom
and more guards. The Dutchman reached
forward in the gloom and clnspcd my
hand. holding: IL as We went down In n
hrin, strong grip.
Never fear" said 10 him ohccrily,
looking back. lie is all right.
lie answered Ia words which l will not
write here rot wishing, rs have said. TO
make certain things common.
suppose tho doorway ct the bottom
was accidentally blocked, for n few steps
snort of IL We came To 4 standstill. and al.
most NJ the same moment l started, de-
spite my self. on hearing n sndlcn clnn,or !