Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-09

drink soldiers blood. as thou hast; and
now thy point, that ripped the life out of
hghting men where the legion roamed,
seems like to prick the doublets of this
Netherlandish vermin. making stir from
their holes like angry rats. OF truth
faSgots had been better, or the hangman's
hemp"
y party of NetherIanGers and WaIloons
tramped, singing and shouting. past Man
rique. as he polished his armor. They cast
sour chances a the steel, but did not modest
the soldier; and, while he spat and crossed
himself, they tramped onward, led by a
greasy. red-Capped giant. clad in leather
and bearing great sedge upon his Shout
der. All were in deadly earnest, and the
iEsurrectiOn grew amain. AS yet no voice
from the states general mad sounded and
panic began to set the heart of the city
palpitattng dangerously. while even his
eT cmies thanked God that the Prince of
Orange was in Brussels, for if any human
voice could save the impending catastrophe
IL was Father Williams"
Manrique turned to his work as the clat-
ter of the mob died away. but a minute
later a horses hOofs changed on the cobble
stones, and. looking up, he beheld no less a.
man than Count Mena de VelaSco, cham
herlain OF the court. and an individual at
that time in high favor with Armenteros
the duchess right hand. The count had a
guard of two men-at-arms. and ManriGue
exchanged word with them. while they
looked with some approval at the old sol
Glers operations. Then, to his surprise
their master pulled up and In a moment
had dismounted. His business was evident
ly with Feria Manrique.
lis the hereticS have drawn thy blade
from it's sheath?" inquired the grandee
with a sharp look at the soldier
'Ay. my lord. The scabbard is no place
Tor Spaniard's sword while We live in
this brabbling land"
And yet the king gave thee a special
license to put it up forever, and filled thy
purse the while?'
True. my good lord His godlike rnaies-
MI tn be
1t may be thou knowest the fame of the
dispatch / bore from Cardinal Granville
even to the court OF Spain-how. though
grievously MANNED and stripped to the skin
by the kings enemies. | yet came safely
off: neither did any mans eye see the secret
packet till it lay before the king alone?"
Truly. Manrique. it's the fame of that
magic exploit hath brought me hither 1t
Is said that the secret of your achievement
transpired not. and that no man, his
majesty alone excepted. ever learned. how
thou hadst performed feat that seemed
hardly less than miracle"
Not so. NV lord. The king was no ex-
cepttOn. / offered him my secret, but he
would none of it. Nay. friend quoth he
TO he forgotten-'nay. keep thy trick a
secret. 1t may serve thee again; and, for
me, have mysteries enough of my own
breeding"
But how like you the thought of making
good his majesty's prophecy? There's work
for thee at the palace waiting thy word The
uuCneSS EleS 10 Mons Within an hour. and
from mrCh diSmay and confusion incidental
to this present terror. ariseth an enterprise
It's from the Countess de Miranda / am
come"
Manrique's dark eyes sparkled
Il have fought under her lord" he said
She knows 1t well. and likewise the spe-
cfal fame of your adventure with the dis
patch. Therefore she bids me to seek YOU
The countess hath a marvellous fine diamond
OF European repute. Ills a gem indeed
worth untold gold. and surely no such jewel
ever yet glmmered In this cursed country
The stone was gotten in Mexico by Count de
Mirando's father. and now, being In no small
fear from the future, the countess desires to
dispatch this Red Dragon for so is her
diamond called. privately and securely to
Mons Her husband is like to arrive in that
city by tomorrow even, and she greatly
pines to know the stone Is once again in his
keeping. And thou bring the Dragon in
safety to Mons, two hundred ducats will re-
ward thee
"Ducats OF silver or gold?''
Golden pieces. every one"
Manrique reflected a moment. and looked
thoughtfully at the rich raiment Of his
visitor. The counts cheeks were pendulous