Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-08-07
FERGUSON 30 WE'D HUMBLY.

WE'D HUMBLY.
party. I have only to tell you a thing
Know, and whether you will or no, for
ask"
For my own safety, Mr. Ferguson. 1 am
not In the habit of doing anything would
not do for other reasons" the duke an
swered, coldly. For tho rest, If you have
anything to tell me that concerns the
kings service
Which king's?' the plotter cried. with
sneer.
II acknowledge but ore-then. I say.
will hear 1t. But 1 will neither do nor
promise anything in return"
You talk finely. Ferguson cried. "But
you cannot deny that before this / have
told things that were worth knowing
mat were worth mems lives" my lord
answered. speaking In low, stern voice.
and looking at him with a loathing beyond
words Yes. Mr.. Ferguson. 1 acknow-
ledge that. That were worth mems lives
And it reminds me that you are growing
Old and have blood on your hands; you
only and GOD knows how much. But
some l know; the proof Of 1t lies In my
office. If you will take my advice, there
fore. You will think rather Of quitting the
world and making your peace with heaven
IL by any means 1t can be done-than of
digging pits for better men than yourself.
Man, he continued, looking fixedly at him.
do you ever think of Ayloffe and Sidney?
And Russell? And Monmouth? And Cor
nlsh? OF the men you have egged on to
death and the men you have sold! God
forgive you! God forgive you, for men
never will
1 should fail, and lamentably, were to
try to describe either the stern feeling
wth which my lord uttered this solemn
aodress-the more solemn as it came from
young man to en- old one-or the horrd
passion, born of rage, fear and remorse
commingled. with which the wretched in
ceased to speak he broke into the most
fearful imprecations, calling down ven
geance not only on others for wrongs done
to him. but on his own head if he had ever
done aught but what was right; and this
rant he so sprinkled with texts of Scrip
ture and SCRAPS of the old Convenanter's
language that for profanity and blasphemy
l never heard the like. The duke after
watching this exhibition for a while, with
eyes of pity and horror. ended by setting
on his hat and turning to the door. This
suihced. as nothing else would have to
bring the con5pirator to his eenses. With
hideous chuckle, which brought his TRADE
to fitting conclusion. mot so fast, my
lord! Not SO fast" he cried. 1.-The key
Is In my pocket. I have something to saw
| before you go.
In Gods name, say it, then" the duke
cried. his face sick with disgust.
Il WILL, Ferguson answered hoarsely,
ieaning on the table which stood between
them and thrusting forward his chin, still
suffused with rage. "And see you now /
VIII confound you. The Duke of Berwick
Is In ENGLAND. my lord. The Duke Of
worse. my lord. he lies tonight at DR..
Llcyd's In Hogsden Gardens. So take that
information to yourself. my lord secre-
tary, and make what you can of it, not for
getting the kings interest Ha! ha! I
nave you tight there. 1 thinky
His triumph, extreme and offensive as it
was, was justified by the consternation-I
can call 1t by no other name-which dark
GQed the dukes h.
tened. and held him a moment speechless
ana motionless. glaring at the other At
last. AID you sent to me to tell me this?'
| he cried.
Il did! I did! And there is no other
living man would have thought of it or
done 1t. And why? Because there is no
man VINO can play my cards but myself"
| lent was %.
| Seeing that I knew little more on the
subject than that the Duke of Berwick was
| was entirely at loss to comprehend either
the dukes chagrin or Ferguson's very eyi-
dent triumph. The latter's first words.
however went far toward explaining his
Jubiiation. and II they did not perfectly
i clear up my lords position-fully to enter
into which required a nobility of sentiment
and a nicely of honor on par with his
oMnmtn ne. at least enabled me to guess
Dye take me now. my lord?" the plotter
cried with savage grimace. THAT con-
Germs the kings service think, and yet I
dare you to make use Of 1t. Ay. my lord
secretary, dare you to make use of it!''
he repeated, his unwholesome face deep red
with excitement. For why? You know
there will be day of reckoning presently
and sooner, mayhap, than some think. You
know that. Sooner or later it will. come
II Will come, and then Touch not mine
anointed! Or, rather, touch but a hair of
MS JAMES head. and his majesty II no
forgive! He'll no forgive! There viii be
mercy for my Lord Devonshire. and NV
lord admiral, aye, and for that incarnate
mar ana devil, John Churchill! Aye, even
LOT nlm, ior ne has made all safe both sides
and so have the others. But do you touch
the kings blood. though 1t be bastard-do
you send tonight to the bishops and take
MIN, and go on to what follows-and> you
my Lady Russell. and yet you'll to.the az
and the sawdust when the time comesI
Aye. you will! You will! You will!''
inoush mis- harsh voice rose almost to
snriek with the last words and the room
rang with them. the duke stood, muteIy re-
garding him. and made no answer; and
after an interval Ferguson himself re-
one course you may take, my iord.s he
said. complacentlY, "and the result Of RI r.
You VIII follow my advice. however. you
vii; VIII no not adopt that course. Instead. you
VIII let Fftx-JameS be. You will act al r.
you had not seen me today, nor heard that
ne was In London. You'll wipe this meet
ing from your memory and live as II It had
will have nothing to tear on that heal
But-but In the meantime" Ferguson com
tinued. haltingly, and with an ugly grin
~ may be the worse for your grace IL the
minister you are; and worse, again. IL It
comes to Bentinck's, who, / am told. is
some trouble to your grace already"
the dukes face was picture ..Yon vii,
lain" he said. again, what DO Won want ,,
For my silence?'
For your silence? No What "a your
aim? What is your object? You betray one
ana the other. Tue son Of your king to