The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-05-08
THE TRANSIT OF THE
"RED DRAGON"
BY EDEN PHILLPOTTS.
Copyrighted

mons had already been made, and fire
was now set TO mass of dry pine and
bushwood, which, blazing up and burn
ing freely, soon painted the wild region
with fantastic and bloody red, flaslSed
Oh the armor of the soldiers, and lent
strangely hissous appearance to tho
black masks of Manrique's conquerors.
The prisoner kent his wits, and noted.
by the freight, that more than one OF
the mercenaries about him were men
whom he personally knew. His reputa-
ton was great. and he trusted il might
serve him with some at least OF those
who had been his comrades in times
past. Happily, they seemed of one mind
i'm an important particular. They es-
teemed their captive, knowing him,
some personally, all by repute; and
though the fortunes of rascally in
trigue had now placed him in the hands
OF powerful men who must prove bitter
enemies if thwarted, yet the soldiers
declared they would not suffer the fa-
yored of the King TO be slain. Anon
the masks, whJ had been conyersing
aside, came forward, and seated them
selves about the fire, while Don Galyn
opened the matter. His line of argu-
rnent had changed, and he spoke as ono
bearing authority.
mistake MS not" he began. 'We are
no lawless bandits of the night, sprung
from these Businesses to overwhelm
thee, but the friends of order and hon
esty, led by seigneurs of high degree,
and sent forth from Brussels by the
lady whom thou servest."
"To take my life?"
'Peace, Manrique, and give heed TO
me. Thou art upon secret mission
for the Countess de Miranda. But the
court hath not left Brussels, nor is it
proposed that il shall do so. Therefore
the Countess would have her priceless
treasure again, and hath dispatched us
to acquaint thee with her purpose"
"Where is thy authority, seigneur~
Upon the word of Count de Velasco."
"Were the Count with We, / would
not yield the diamond to him. A bar
rem word is poor token for so great a
matter"
Two OF the black masks laughed, and
n third, whose voice was strangely
harsh and brutal, made utterance--
"He has the diamond. 1t is enough.
The rest lies with us. See now, Manri-
que, thou art wholly In our power--to
do with as we please"
"I know thee not. my lord. though
thy voice Is the voice Of the noble
Seigneur de Noircarmes," answered the
soldier.
"Name no names, dog!" Numbered
back the other, angrily. THE diamondl
and quiclkly!"
"Not so, seigneur. The Red Dragon
Is for the hand of Count de Miranda"
"Strip him piece-meal. then; beat out
his armor also; and tear every shred OF
cloth or leather unon him TO tatte-s
See likewise to the furniture or MS
horse. Let nothing be overlooked"
1t was Don Galyn who gave this com.
mnnd; and with reluctance his men
obeyed him. The black masks were
also active, and examined every particle
of Manrique's apparel before the glaz-
ing light of the bonfire. First harness
and saddle were chopped to pieces not
greater than n hnzel-nut. every frag-
ment being most closely scrutinized:
then the captive soldiers armor was
hammered out, and proved TO conceal
nothing. Beneath his breastplate APP
peared the ivory box; but Don Galyn's
qualification at sight of it changed