Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-09-04

some" lie paused, and then with an easy
motion of his white hands-"some trifiing
irdiScretion. 1t was exaggerated and in
creased tenfold, and placed in light so
false that" he paused again to take a
pinch of snuff from his box-.that for a
time even the king was induced to believe
that my Lord Shrewsbury was CORE
sponding with France. Most amusing"
The duke did not answer for moment
then, in a voice that shook little, 1T is
an age of false Witnesses he said
Precisely" Lord Marlborough answered
shrugsing his shoulders with charming
bonhommie. That is what l say. They
do not greatly hurt you or me- We have
clear consciences and clean hands, and can
defy these rufiians. But the party must be
considered
There is something IN that" said the
duke, nodding and speaking in his natural
tone.
And smaller men, as innocent but more
vulnerable. They, too, should be consid-
cred.
True said Lord Godolphin, nodding.
True, by God"'
Tie duke assented thoughtfully. 81 will
bear 1t in mind he said. Il think it is
questionable policy"
In any event am sure that your grace's
prudence will steer the matter to a safe
issue. Lord Marlborough answered in his
courtliest fashion. II thank heaven that
you are here in this emergency, and not
Portland or AuverquerGue. who see a foe
to the king in every Frenchman."
Il should be sorry to see any but an En-
elishman in the secretary's office" the
duke said. with little heat
And yet that is what we have to ey-
pect, Lord Marlborough answered placid
~ Eut We are OBTAINING your grace.
Come, my lord, we must be going. / sup
pcse that Sir John Is not taken?"
Sir John Fenwick?"
YES"
1T has not been reported."
WIN mat the two noblemen took a for
maj farewell, and the duke, begging them
10 go out by his private door that they
might AVOID the press in the hall they were
crossing the room in that direction when a
sudden hubbub arose outside and a cry of
alarm. and before they had more than
raised their eyebrows, asking one another
politely what it meant, the door beside
which stood was opened, and gentleman
came ne IN; he looked with clustered face
at me duke y our graces pardon" he
SAID. hurriedly. "One of the prisoners has
escaped" ''''
"Escaped"' said the duke "How2"
~, me woman has somehow slipped away.
slr nronsh rn the crowd. it is believed. your
Eut AT tnat moment the unfortunate Off
Giai himself appeared in the doorway,
looking scared out of his life. What is
this? said the duke, sharply.
The man whimpered. Fore God. If Is not
my ianit, he cried. She never passed
through the door! May 1 die If she did.
your grace
NoHe may ne Sill In the hall"
we have searched 1t through and
through the man answered. desperately.
1T remains only to search the house your
stace-with your permission
emily startled. why the house?''
g. she must have slipped into the house,
Tor she never went out" the man answered
ue T5s G;,,a she h,e, never went out"
Inc duhe shrugged his shoulders and
turned to Lord Marlborough. what do
you think?'' said he.
The earl raised his eyebrows. By this
time half the concourse in the hail had
INTO the room. Call Martini" said the
duke. And stand back there a little. If
you please" he continued, naughty.
IN ms IS no public court, but my house,
1t seemed to me-but T. behind the door.
was In bounoless frght-that the steward
would never come. He did come at last
anu ele pushing his way through the crowd
dence that failed to Eide his apprehensions
Nor was the dukes reception of him caI.
culated to set him at his ease.
I'aho Out, man. he said harshly and
with a nearer approach to the tyrannicaI
than mad hitherto seen in a man who was
perhaps the best-natured of his species
stand out and answer me, and no eva
sionS. Did not give you an order NJ tha
strictest character to lock the inner door
and leave it for nothing, and no one-whiIe
this business was forward"
-haI,in sasped. May 1t please your
grace" he said, T. N-
Answer, fool. what 1 ask the duke
cried, cutting him short with the utmost
asperity. did 1 not give you those or
ders?" VI
The man was astonished and utterly for
rifed Yes" he said. 1T is true, your
grace" ~
and did you obey them?''
Poor ,f,. Martin. seeing that all the trouble
was like to rest on his back, answered as
In all probability the duke expected. II
did. your grace" he said roundly. II have
not been an arms length from the door.
nor has 1t been unlocked I have the kev
mere, he continued. producing it and hold
Has any one passed through the door
wnlle you have been on guard?'
Inc steward had gone too far to confess
the truth now, and swore positively and re-
peatedly that no one had passed through
the door or could have passed through the
aoor; mat 1t was impossible; that the door
IN his possession: finally, that If the girl
had gone through the door she must have
gone through the keyhole, and was
witch At which some present crossed
themselves.
Il am satisfied" said the duke. address.
Ing the messenger Doubtless she siipned
tnrougn the crowd. and as you are re-
spcnsipie and VIII have to answer for the
girl. would advise you to lose no time in
searching such Of Mr.. Ferguson's haunts
as are known to you. 1t is probable that
she Will take refuge In one or other Of
them. However. I will report the matter
as favorably as I can to the council. You
warrants. and make no second 6lunder
See these people out, Martin. And for you.
my lords. am sorry that this matter has
detained you.'' '''