Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-09-07
that light 1t was impossible to be sure.

to avoid useless bloodshed and further
cause for offense. Sir Thomas Greville,
the governor of Warwick castle, and Colo
mel Bridgewater are with me. iDp!ore
you, my friend, to surrender, and l Will
do you what good offices may
The knight, as we know, had made up
his mind, and yet for q second he hesitat-
cd. There were stern, grim faces round
him, changed by the stress of the moment
into the seIpblance of dark Baldwin's-the
faces of men, who, though they numbered
but a dozen, were his men, bound to him
by every tie of instinct and breeding and
custom, and he had been n soldier and
knew the fierce joy Of n desperate struggle
against odds. Might it not be better, after
all?
But then he remembered his women
Kind, and, after all, why cndangcr these
faithful men? He raised his voice and
cried clearly: II accept your good offices,
Sir Philip, and take your advice. l will
have tho drawbridge lowered, only beg
you will keep your men we'll in hand and
do my poor housees little damage as may
be-
Giving Baldwin the order and bidding
him rs soon as it was performed come to
him. the knight walked steadily back into
the courtyard and took his stand there.
He dispatched the women and some Of
the servants to lay out q meal in the hall,
but it was noticeable that the men went
reluctantly, and that all who could find
any excuse To do so fingered round Sir
Anthony rs il they could not bear to aban-
don him, as If, even ut the last moment,
they had soI::c vague notion of protecting
their master ut all hazards. 4 score Of lam
terms shed a gloomy, uncertain light
only in places reinforced by the glow from
the hall windows-upon the group. Sell
dom had Cotton moon peeped over the
gables at a sceno stranger than that which
met tho sheriff's eyes as with his two
hackers he passed under the gateway.
Il surrender to you, Sir Philip" the
knight said, with dignity, stepping for
ward a paco or two, and call you to wit
ness that l might have made resistance
and have not. My tenants are quiet in
their homes, and only my servants are
present. Father Carey is not here nor in
the house This is Baldwin Moor my
steward, but beg for him your especial
offices. since ho has done nothing save by
my command"
Sir Anthony, believe me that will do
al can, Tho sheriff responded gravcly,
but
But to set 1t Eaught tho queens proc
lamation and order!'' struck in n third
voice harsh!y-i5 WIS Sir Thomas Gre
WITHSTAND she but "a month on the
throne! For shame, Sir Anthony! 1t
smackS II mo of hi. : treason. And many
I. man has suffered :Jr less, let me tell
you"
Had she been longer OF the throne, ~
tho sheriff pat in moro gently, and were
tho times quiet, the matter would have
been Of less moment, Sir Anthony, and
might not have become O state matter.
But just now
Things are in a perilous condition, 3"
Grcvillc said bluntly, and You have done
your little to mako them worse!''
The knight, by n great effort, swallowed
his rage and humiliation. What will
you do with me, gentlemen" he asked,
speaking with ut least the appearance OF
calmncss.
THAT Is to be sccn," Grcviilc said,
roughly overriding his companion. For
tonight We must make ourselves and oul
men comfortable here"
''Ccrtainly-with Sir Anthony's leave
Sir Thomas Grcville," quoth a voice from
behind. But only so!'
More than one started violently, while
the Cluddc servants almost to a man spun
round at the sound of the voice-my voice
Francis Cludde's, though in tho darkness
no ono knew me. How shall ever forge,
the joy and lively gratitude which filled
my heart Us 1 spoke, which turned the
night into day and that fantastic scene oil
shadows into festival, as felt that the
ambition Of the last four years was about
to be gratified? Sir Anthony, who wa:
one of the first to turn, pccred among tht
servants. "WhO spokc:" he cried, a sud
den discomposure in his voice and manner
why spoke thcrc.'
AYE, Sir Anthony, who did," Grevillc
said haughtily. "Some ono apparently
who does not quite understand his plac,
or the state of affairs here. stand back
my men, and let me see him Perhaps W,
may teach him n useful lesson"
The challenge was welcome, for feared
scene and to be left face to face With
my uncle more than anything. Now, n.
the servants with II loud murinur of sur
prise and recognition fell back and dis
closed me standing by Martins side,
turned little Prom Sir Anthony and
faced Grcvillc. Not this time l think
Sir Thomas" said, giving him bacl
glance for glance. II have learned my
lesson from some who have Jared farther
and seen more than you, from men who
have stood by their cause in foul weather
rs well as fair, and were not for mass one
day and a sermon the ne 1t"
What Is this:' he cried angrily. "wht
arc yol?'
''Sis Anthony ClUddc's dutiful and Low
ing nephew I answered. with q cour
tcous bow. Come back, I thank heaven
in time To do him a service, Sir Thomas
Master Francis! Master Francis!'
Clopton exclaimed in remonstrance. II
had known me in old days My uncl
meanwhile gazcd ut me in the utmost as
Punishment, and into tho servants face
there flashed strange light, while man
of them hailed me in q tone which toll,
mo that l had but to give the word, ant
they would fall Oh the very sheriff him
self. Master Francis" Sir Philip Clop
ton repeated gravely, If you would d
your uncle u service, this is not tho wa
to 60 about it. He has surrendered and
our prisoner. Brawling will not men
matters"
/ laughed out loudly and merrily ID
| you know, Sir Philip" said, with some
thing Of the old boyish ring in my voic,
Il have been since 1 saw you last to Be
| GUM and Germany-aye, and Poland an
Hamburg? Do you think have come bac