The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1895-08-12
THE STORY OF
FRANCIS CLUDDE.
By STANLEY ]. wEYMAN.
copyright, 1871, by Cassoii Publishing ". Al
rights reserved.


Inc bhllU idNt EitN ftut UT TuNH'f
rcddor Come, young man, did you hear
me speak, he said pumpously. 'Whero
from last"
From the road, sir, | replied, turning
to him ms II had not heard him before
And very wet road II was. "
A man who sat next mo chucklcd, being
apparently u stranger like myself But the
bailiff pulled himself into still more
striking likeness to King Henry, and In.
Guiding him in his scowl shouted at me;
"Sirrah, don't handy words with me
Which way did you come along the road,
l asked
1t was on the tip of my tongue to an.
swer saucily THE right wayi' But 70.
fected that might be stopped, and to be
] stopped might mean to be hanged at worst,
and somthiAg very unpleasant at best. Sc
controlled myself and answered, though
the mans arrogance was provoking
enough. II have come from Stratford,
and l am going to London. Now you
know as much as l do.
DO II" he said, with a sneer and a
wink at the landlord.
Eyes, think so, " l answered patiently.
"well, / don't" he retorted in vulgar
triumph. 81 don't. 1t is my opinion that
you have come from London.
1 went on with my supper
"Do you heart" he asked pompously,
sticking his arms akimbo and looking
round for sympathy You will have to
give an account of yourself, young man.
We will have no penniless rogues and
sturdy vagabonds wandering about st. AL
bans"
"Penniless rogues do not go a-horse-
back, " answered. But 1t was wonderful
how my spirits sank again under that
word "penniless 1t hit me hard.
walt a bit, he said, raising his finger
to command attention for his next ques.
ton. "What is your religion, young
mani"
"Oh," 1 replied, putting down my
knife and looking open scorn at him, you
are an iuquisitor, are your At which
words of mine there was a kind of stir.
"You would burn me as / hear they
burned Master Sandars at Coventry last
week, would your They were talking
about it down tho road. "
You will come to bad end, young
mani no retorted viciously, his out
stretched finger shaking as II the palsy
had seized him, for this time my taunt
had gone home and more than one of the
listeners standing on the outer edge of tn,
group, and so beyond his ken, had NUT
tered shame" More than one face had
grown dark. you will come to a bad
end, " he repeated. "If it be not here ther
somewhere else. 1t is my opinion that
you have come from London and that you
have been in trouble. There is hue and
cry out for young fellow just your age
and cock of your hackle, judge, who i.
wanted for heresy. a Londonor too
You do not leave here until You have Civ
en- an account of yourself, Master Jack-a
Dandy" The party had all risen round
me, and some of the hindmost had got Oh
benches to see me the better. Among these
between two bacon bitches, caught &
glimpse of the serving maids face as SHIT
J peered at me, pale and scared, and queel
impulse led me to nod to her-a reassur
ing little nod. / found myself growing
cool and confident, seeing myself SO cor
nered
= Easy, easyr' said. Let q man finish
his supper and get warmed in peace"
Bishop Bonner will warm you'll criet
the bailiff
81 dare say--as they warm people II
: Spainp' sneered.
HE will be Bishop Burner to your
shrieked the bailiff, almost beside himself
with rage at being so bearded by lad.
] Take carel" l retorted. do not yor
speak evil of dignitaries or you will b,
getting into trouslel'
He fairly writhed under this rejoinder
Landlord, he spluttered, II shall holt
you responsiblel If this person leave
your house and is not forthcoming wheI
wanted, you will suffer for itl''
The landlord scratched his head, bein,
good natured fellow, but bailiff is
bailiff, especially at St Albans. And wa
muddy and travel stained, and quick o
my tongue for one so young, which tn
middle aged never like, though the old bea
1t better. He hesitated
DO not be a fool Master Hostl" said
Il have something here"-- and
touched my pocket, which happened to b
near my sword hilt-'that will make 20,
rue 1t IL you interfere with mel''
"Hol hor' cried the baiiff in haste an,
triumph. so that is his tonel We hav
a tavern brawler here, have WEI A younl
swashbucklerl His tongue will not rui
so fast when he finds his feet in the stocks
Master landlord, call the watch Call tn
watch at once, l command you'll"
You will do SO at your perill'' sal,
sternly Then, seeing that my name
had some effect upon all save the angry
official, gave way to the temptation {,
drive the matter home and secure my
safety by the only means that seemed pos
sible. 1t is an old story that one deception
leads inevitably to another. / solemn,
drew out the white staff had taken from
the apparitor. Look herel" continued
= waving it. do you see this, you BOBBY
l am travelling in the queens name and