Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-08-10


evening. Until then two must remain or
guard with him. 1t is right he should
have some time to repent, and he shall
have it,
This did not at once find favor.
why not run him through nowi" said
ono bluntly, land meet tomorrow at some
place unknown to him? If We como hero
again, We shall, likely enough, walk
straight into the trap"
well, have it that way, II you please"
answered Sir Thomas, Struggling his
shoulder. But do not blame me after
ward il you find wo have let slip u golden
opportunity. Be fools II you like. dare
say it will not make much difference in
tho cnd!'
Ho spoke at random, but no knew how
to deal with his crew, 1t seemed, for on
this those who had objected asscntcd re-
luctantly to tho course he proposed.
Barnes and Walters are here in hiding.
SO they had better be the two to guard
him." no continued There is no fear
that they will be inclined to let him go!'
l looked ut the men whom the glances of
their fellows singled out and found them
to belong to the little knot Of fanatics I
had before remarked-dark, stern men,
worth, If the matter ever came to fighting
all the rest Of the band put together.
AT 4, tomorrow, then, we meet" Sir
Thomas concluded lightly. Then we will
deal with him, never fear! Now it is near
midnight, and we must be going, but not
all together, or We shall attract attention"
Half an hour later Master BERTHE and I
rode softly out of the courtyard and turned
our faces toward the city. The night wind
came sweeping across the valley of the
n, \ 81 - Al D.
reached the brow of the hill. 1t seemed
laden with melancholy whispers. Tho
wretched enterprise, i'll conceived, Ill Or
dcrcd, and in its very nature desperate, to
which We were in honor committed, would
have accounted of itself for any degree of
fOreboding. But tho scene through which
We had just passed, and on my part tho
knowledge that had given up a fellow
being to death, had their depressing influ
cnces. For some distance We rode In ST.
lcnce, which was the first to break
why did you put off his punishment
I asked.
Because think he will give us in
formation in the interval" Berthe an
swercd briefly. Information which may
help us. a spy is generally ready to be-
tray his own side upon OCCASION"
And you will spare him il he does."
asked. 1t seemed to me neither justice
nor mercy.
NO." he said, there is no fear Of that.
Those who go with ropes round their nccks
know no mercy. But drowning men will
catch at straws, and ten to ono he will
babble.'
Ishivcrcti. 1T is bad business, Z"
said
He thought referred to the conspiracy,
and he inveighod bitterly against it, re-
preaching himself for bringing me into 1t
and for his folly in believing tho rosy nc
counts Of men who had all to win and
nothing save their worthless lives to lose
There is only one thing gained" he said.
1--WE are likely to pay dearly for that, SO
We may think the more Of it. We have
been the means of Furnishing villain. Z"
Yes" l said, that Is true. 1t was a
strange meeting and strange recognition.
Strangest Of all that should be called
up to swear with him."
Not strange" Master Berthe answered
gravcly. Il would rather call 1t provi-
dcntiaL Let us think Of that and bc Of
better courage, friend. We have been
used; wc shall not lie cast AWAY before our
time"
looked back. For some minutes had
thought heard behind US light footstep
more like the pattering Of n dog than any
thing else. l could see nothing, but that
was not wonderful, for the moon was
young and the sky overcast. DO you
hear some one following u.s." said.
Master BERTHE drew rein suddenly, and
turning in the saddle VIC listened. For .
second l thought still heard the sound.
The next it ceased and only the wind toy
| ing with the November leaves and sigh
| ing away in the distance came to our cars
| Me-" he said, Il think 1t must have been
your fancy. heAs nothing"
But when We rdc on the sound began
| again. though at first more family, rs II
| our follower had learned prudence and
fallen farther behind. DO not stop. hut
listenr' said softly. Cannot you hear
the pattcring of a naked foot now.'
| II hear something, he answered. Il
am afraid you are right and that We arc
followed"
| What is to be done.' said. my
thoughts busy.
There is Caen wood in front" he an.
swered. with o little open ground on