The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1896-01-04

morse again. turning MS rein TO lead the
way out through the north gate, he passed
near us, and as no settled himself in his
saddle took n good look at us. The look
passed harmlessly over me, but reaching
Master BERTHE became concentrated. The
rider started and smiled family. He
seemed to pause Then he raised his
plumed cap and bowed low, covered him
self again and rode on. His train all fol-
lowed his example and saluted us as they
passed. Master Bertie's face, which had
flushed fiery red under the others gaze
grew pale again. He looked at me, when
they had gone by, with startled eyes
DO you know who that vast" he said,
speaking like one who had received blow
and did not yet know how much he was
hurt.
NO." said.
1T was the Count de Feria, the Span
ish ambassador" he answered. "And he
recognized me. met him often years ago.
/ knew him again as soon as he came out,
but l did not think he would by any
chance recognize me in this dress"
"Are you sure, - asked in amazement,
"that it was hep
"Quite sure" he answered.
but why did he not have you arrested
out against you"
Master BERTHE shook his head. II can
not tell, !" he said darkly. HE is Span
lard. But come, we have the less time to
lose. We must join our friends and take
their advice. We seem to be surrounded
by pitfalls,
At this moment the lame hostler came
up, and grumbling at us as If he had
never seen us in his life before, and never
wished to see us again, took our horses.
We went into the kitchen, and taking the
first chance of slipping up stairs to No. 8
we were admitted with the same precau-
tions as before, and descending the shaft
gained the cellar
Here we were not, as we had looked to
be, the first on the scene. l suppose a
sense of the insecurity of our meeting
place had led every one to come early, SC
ms to be gone early. Penruddocke indeed
was not here yet, but Kingston and half a
score Of Others were sitting about convers-
ing in low tones. 1t was plain that the
distrust and suspicion which we had re-
marked on the previous day had not been
allayed by the discovery of Clarence S
treachery.
Indeed it was clear that the distrust and
dependency had today become a panic.
Men glared az one another and at the door
and talked in whispers and started at the
slightest sound. l glanced round. The
one sought for with eager yet shrinking
eyes was not to be seen. 1 turned to Mas
ter BERTHE, my face mutely calling on him
to ask the question Where is the pris-
oner?" he said sharply
A moment l hung in suspense. Then
one of the men said: He is in there. He
is safe enoughl' He pointed as he spoke
to door which seemed to lead to an inner
cellar.
Right, " said Master BERTHE, still stand
ing. Il have two pieces of bad news for
you nevertheless Firstly, 1 have just been
recognized by the Spanish ambassador,
whom l met in tho courtyard above. "
Half the men rose to their feet. "What
is he doing here?" they cried, one boldly,
the others with the quaver very plain in
their voices.
Il do not know, but he recognized me.
Why he took no steps to detain or arrest
me 1 cannot tell. He rode away by the
north road"
They gazed at one another and we at
them. The wolfish look which fear brings
into some faces grew stronger in theirs.
What is your other bad news?'' said
Kingston, with an oath.
"A person outside, friend of the pris-
oner, has a list of our names and knows
our meeting place and cur plans. She
threatens to use the knowledge unless the
man Clarence or Crewdson be set Free"
There was loud murmur of wrath and
dismay, amid which Kingston alone pre-
served his composure. I'VE might have
been prepared for that" he said quietly.
1T is an old precaution of such folk. But
how did you come to hear of itf'
MY friend here saw the messenger and
heard the terms The man must be set
free by sunset"
And what warranty have we that he
will not go straight with his plans and his
list to the council?'
Master BERTHE could not answer that,
neither could l. We had no surety, and
if we set him free could take none save
his word. His world Could even I ask
them to accept that? To stake the life of
the meanest of them on 1t?
! saw the difficulties of the position, and
when Master Kingston pronounced coolly
that this was a waste of time, and that
the only wise course was to dispose of the
principal witness, both in the interests of
justice and our own safety, and then shift
ourselves before the storm broke, ac-
knowledged in my heart the wisdom OF
the course and felt that yesterday it would
have received my assent.
1.-THE risk is about the same either
way" Master BERTHE said.
mot at all, " Kingston objected, spar
kle of malice in his eye. Last night wa
had thwarted him. Tonight it was his
turn, and the dark, lowering looks of those
round him showed that numbers were
with him. "This fellow can hang us all.
His accomplioe who escapes can know
nothing save through him and could give
only vague and uncertain evidence. No,
no. Let us cast lots who shall do 1t, get
it done quickly and be gone.
"We must wait at least BERTHE urged,
until Sir Thomas comes"
Mop retorted Kingston, with heat.
"We are all equal here. Besides tho man
was condemned yesterday with the full
assent of all 1t only remains to carry out
the sentence. Surely this gentleman" he
continued, turning suddenly upon me,
who was so ready to accuse him yester-
day, docs not wish him spared today"
81 do wish it, " said in a low tone.
Ho! hol' he cried, folding his arms
and throwing back his head, astonished at
the success Of his own question. "Then
may we ask for your reasons, sir? Last
night you could not lay your tongue to
words too bad for him. Tonight you wish
to spare him and let him go"
Il do" said l felt that every eye was
upon me and that, Master BERTHE except
ed, not one there would feel sympathy
with me in my humiliation. They were
driven to the wall They had no time for
fine feeling, for sympathy, for apprecia-
tion of the tragic, unless 1t touched them
selves What chance had with them,
though was son pleading for a father
Nay what argument had / save that l
was his son, and that / had brought him
to thisS No argument. Only the appeal
to them that they would not make me a
parricidel And i felt that at this they
would mock.
And SO, In view of those stern, curious
faces new temptation seized me-the
temptation to be silent. Why should
not stand by and let things take their
coursoS Why should ! not spare myself
the shame which / already saw would be
fruitlessS When Master Kingston with a
cynical bow, said, Your reasons, sir"
stood mute and trembling. II kept ST.
lence, II ! refused to give my reasons, II