Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-09-07

10 seen. The lights Ill the hal windows
twinklcd checrily, and the great fire cast
its glow half way across tho courtyard, as
lights and fire had twinkled and glowed
NJ Cotton End on many q night before.
But neither in hall nor chambsr was there
any answering Inerriment. Baldwin,
coming In, cursed the servants who were
in his way, and the men moved meckly
and without rctort, taking his oaths for
what they were-a mans tears. The
women folL sat listening, pale and fright
cned, and ono OR two Of the grooms, those
who had done least in tho skirmish, had
visions of n trco and a rope and looked
sicl;!y. Tho rest scowlcd and blinkcd at
the fro or kicked up dog il 1t barked in
its sleep.
Hasn't Martin come in!'' Baldwin
growlcd presently, setting his heavy wet
sputtcrcd under it. Where is hc.''
Don't knowI' ono of the men took on
himself to answer. He did not come in
here
II wonder what he Is up to now"
Baldwin exclaimed, with gloomy irrita-
tion, for which, under tho circumstances,
ho had ample excuse. He knew that re-
sistance was utterly hopeless and could
rope more tightly about his Ecck, to gut
the thought as he framed it. The suspi-
cion, therefore, that this madman-for
such In his worst fits the fool became
might DO hanging round the place in dark
corners, doing what deadly mischief he
could TO tho attacking party, was not n
pleasant one.
a gray haired man In the warmcst nook
by the fire seemed to read his thoughts.
There is one in tho house." he said slow
u and oracularly, his eyes on Baldwin's
boot, whom he has just rs good mind
to hurt, has our Martin, as any Of them
Clopton men. Aye, that has he, Master
Baldwin"
And who is that, gaffer:" Baldwin
asked contemptuously.
But the old fellow turned shy. "Well,
1t is not Sir Anthony, he answered, nod
ding his head and STOPPING forward to
caress his toasting shins BE you very
sure Of that. Nor the young mistress, nor
the young master as was, nor the new lady
that came u month ago. No, nor it IL not
you, Master Baldwin.
Then who is it:' cried tho steward
impaticntly.
He is shrcwd, is Martin-whcn tho
saints have not got their backs to him, !"
SAID the old fellow SIy1y.
who is it," Numbered tho steward,
well used to this rustic method of evasion
Answer, you dolt!''
But 10 answer came, and Baldwin
never got one, for ut this moment man
who had been watching In front of the
house ran in.
They arc hcrc!'' he cried. "A good
hundred Of them, and torches enough for
c.% g.,
porter. Sir Anthony is calling for you. DO
you heart"
There was great uprising, n great clat-
tering of feet and barking of dogs and
some wailing among tho women. AS the
messenger finished speaking harsh chal-
lcngo which penetrated even tho courtyard
arose from many voices without and was
followed by tho winding of horn. This
sufliced. All hurried with one accord into
the court, where the porter looked to
Baldwin for instructions.
Hold n minutcl" cried the steward, ST.
lcncing the loudest hound by n sound kick
and disregarding Sir Anthony's voice,
which came from tho direction Of the gate
way. Let us SEQ If they are ut the back
too
Ic ran through the passage, and cmcrg-
III = ''' thN eeto' Va tiiN iiodo WIS OlSe
| salutcd by Il dozen voices warning him
back. There were n score of dark figures
! standing in the little close where the fight
! had taken place. Right said Baldwin
| to himself. Needs must when the old
gentleman drives! Only l thought
would make sire"
He ran back ut once, nearly knocking
down Martin, who, with a companion,
| was making, but at a slower pace, for the
| front of the house.
| We'll, old comradc," cried the steward,
| shifting the fool on the back as he passed,
| you arc here. are your never thought
that you and would be in at our own
| dcaths!"
Ho did not notice in the wild humor
which had seized him, who Martins COM
| panion was, though probably at another
| time Il would have struck him that there
was 10 ono in the house quite so tall. He
| sped on with scarcely glance, and In 4
moment was under the gateway, where
| Sir A7.ehony was soundly rating every.
body, and particularly tho porter, who
with his key in tho door, found, or affected
| to find, the task of turning il difficult
| one. AS the steward came up, however
| the big doors nc some sign froEi hin
crcaked on their hinges, and the knight
| his staff in his hand and the servant.
clustering behind him with lanterns
| walked forward pace or two to tho enc
OF the bridge, bearing himself with som,
| dignity.
| who disturbs us at this hour" h,
| cried, peering across the moat and signin,
10 ildwin TO hold up his large lantern
| since the others, uncertain of their recep
ton, lad put out their torches. BY 1t
| light he and those behind him could max
out n group of half dozen figures a scor
Of yards away, while in support Of tises
there appeared bowshot off and still i,
the open ground n c!ump of, it might be
| a hundred men. Beyond all lay the iiarl
line of trees. above which the moon, ncv
risen, was sailing through n watery wracl
Of clouds. who aro yc:' tho knight re
pcated.
Arc you Sir Anthony Cludde:" cam
the answer.
! Il am"
Then in the queens name, Sir An
thony," the leader of the troop cried sol
cmnly, Il call on you to surrender. I holt
a warrant ior your arrest and also for til
arrest of James Carey, priest, and Bald
win Moor. who. am told. is your stew
ard. am backed by forces which it wi!
be vain to resist
- IN A.