Evening star., 1896-06-27

ye pay dearly for this. Heard ye not my
summons? Your papers, sir, in the king S
name he demanded peremptorily.
Marry. sir. and who may you be?'
asked John Halliburton, nonchalantly, as
he rested his sword across his holsters and
resumed his way at a foot's pace, ma
neLver which gave his opponent, as was in
tended. the opportunity he watched for.
! 1t was dare devil thing to do, thus to
turn his back upon a foe, but with all his
,ashness John Halliburton had a modicum
OF prudence, too, that always brought him
through.
He did not look the kind of man to note
trifies. but that was Just where he had the
advantage of his fellows. Things that other
men beheld and needed not, he saw and
lTarked for use. The sun at that moment
was on his left. but to the rear SO that his
own and his neighbors shadow projected
diagonally in front. BY watching them
with the tail of his eye. Halliburton could
mus easily enough observe every move
r'ent of the man at his back. and it was
we'll fer him that he could for he had
barely time to note his purpose and fall
upon his horses name. when the fellow
fired.
Faith! sir" laughed Halliburton. ironical-
ly. If 1 was not something pressed for
time, l would fain give you a lesson that
would steady your hand. Howheit. as my
business cannot wait now, 1 beg that you
will excuse me-
Il am at your command, sir, whenever
you choose, returned the other. II should
duty. and may not risk the kings dis
pleasure by mismanaging the affair l have
IN hand Your name. if l mistake not, Is
John Halliburton
Well. marry, and what if it be?.'
You are the bearer of dispatches to
Lord Hunsdon?"
Well. marry. and what of that?"
The king" went on the other "bade me
cvertake you and require these dispatches;
they are withdrawn"
Marry! SO you say" nodded Halliburton,
cool!y; but what warrant have l of that?'
You have the kings command. sir. and
my word as man of honor"
ell, faith, these be fine words sir
answered Halliburton, but 1 have my
doubt of them. for words, sir. are but air
and air Will not stead man before a
KING. And as for your being man of
honor, nom de Dieu. sir, you must be that
you lire so badly at mans back" and
Hailburton's mustache curled with the
Sneer he could not express
Il acted according to my Instructions "
replied the man. turning pale with anger
Wen. Well. give you good-day, sir" said
Hailburton salGtins him. Il must on"
Then you defy the kng?'
NAY. | am too leal a subject for that
Marry. sir. without mere ado. will you
deliver your Gispatches?"
"Certes Ill l. SIR" laughed Halliburton.
TO the person | am acoIe edited to, if indeed
l am John Halliburton"
" Sdeath, i in no humor for uuib-
bles. You refuse?" demanded the rider.
with look behind to see if the survivor
was coming up. but the fellow was sitting
on boulder with his head in his hands
John Halliburton laughed.
"Soh; you dc refuse sneered the other,
with a significant glarce at Halliburton S
steed. Then / must cen do as l was bid
de2-foresiali you and hand Lord Huns
don the dispatches l carry" and with
these words he pricksd his beast forward,
but he reckoned without his host.
STAY exclaimed Halliburton, handling
his remaining dag. An idea had come to
him: he did not think it we'll to let this fel-
low get in front of him: he might waylay
him at dark further oR, and that was to be
provided against.
stay, he repeated
At first the man seem inclined to make a
d2sh for it, but either his courage failed or
prudence warned him that Halliburton was
too near to miss