Evening star., 1898-12-03
CHAPTER NXX1II,
The Black BuiI.s Head


tut lately out Of artificers hands, was
| noble oblong chamber reaching from side
| to side of the south-Iooking keep, begun
by James 1. 1t was decorated in the
| FRENCH manner with oak ceilings and
! paheiihSs, all bossed and cornered with
| massive silver-gilt holdings.
| save in the ordering of the repast it.
| self. there was a marked absence of csten-
| 'atfoh ohfy soldier two could be
| seen mostly on guard at the outer gates
| and Sholto, who had been uneasy and fear
1ul ior his master, became gradually more
| reassu1ed when he saw with what care
| every want of the earl and his brother was
| stalled
The young king was in jubi,ant spirits.
| ana could not be persuaded to let the
| brothers Douglas remain a moment alone
| He was resolved he said TO nave bis he'd
! brought into their chamber that he might
| taih to them all night of tournays and
ueeds OF arms. Never had he met with any
| that he loved SO much. and on their mart
| the young lords of Douglas became boys
again in this atmosphere of frank and 10Y
| ish admiration.
| II was state banquet to which they sat
! down. That is. there was no hungry
crowd of hangers on clustered below the
| salt. 10 each gentleman was allotted one
| SILVER trenchard for his own use instead
Oh one betwixt two. as was the custom. The
| service was ordered in the French manner
| ana there was manifest through all a
| quiet observance and good taste which won
tpot the Earl of Douglas. Nevertheless
| MS eyes sun continued to range every Way
| through the castle, scanning every tower
! slancing at every balcony and archway in
| search of the Lady Sybilla.
In the banquet hall the little king sat In
DIS nigh chair in the midst, with the broth
| ers of Douglas. one on either side of him.
he spoke loudly and confidently after the
manner OF pampered boy of high spirits
Il will soon come and visit you in return
AT ihe castle OF Thrfeve. The Lady Sybtlla
hath told me how strong it is and how splen-
| those of France"
me Lady Sybilla is perhaps gone to her
own iaho! Fentured Douglas. not wishing
| to ask more direct question. He spoke
freely. however on all other subjects with
the kngs laughing and alking mostly with
him, and finding little to say to the tutor
Livingston t. or the chancellor. who, either
from humility or fear. had taken care to
ipterpose half a dozen knights between
himself and his late guests.
Nay cried the young king, looking
ENORMOUSLY at his tutor, but indeed | wot
not what they have done with my pretty
gossip. Syblla; l have not seen her for
three weeks, save for a moment this morn
ing, and before she went away she prom
ised to teach me to dance in the French
manner. and the trick of the handkerchief
| to hide dagger in the hand"
AS the earl listened 10 the boys prattle
| ne became more and more convinced that
the Marshaf-de Retz, having in some way
discovered their affection for each other
had removed Sybiila out of his reach Her
letter indeed. showed clearly that she was
IN rear oil 1ll-treatment both for himself and
for her
The banquet passed with courtesies much
more ella borate than usual in Scotland
but which indicated the great respect IN
which the guests were held. Between each
course servant in the royal colors pre-
sented golden saiver filled with clear
water for the guests to wash their hands.
Through the interstices of the ceiling
strains of music filtered down from musi-
clans hidden somewhere above, which
sounded cLriously soothing and far away
The chancellor bowed and drank every
few minutes TO the health of the earl and
his brother across the board, while the tu-
tor sat smiling upon all with the polish of
professional courtier. In his high seat
at the table end the little king cha: tered
necessarily of the times when he could 90
as he pleased. and when he and his cousin
of Douglas would ride together to battle
and tourney, or feast together in hall.
BE sure, | will not keep all these sorners
about me- he sad. lowering his voice caC-
tiously; Il will only have young gallant
men, like you and David there. But what
com.s here?"
There was a stir among the servtors at
the upper end of the room. Sholto, who
stood behind his masters chair, heard the
music of the pipes approach nearer. l.
grew louder, more inSiStent, finally almost
oppressive. The doors at either end were
filled with armed men. They filed silently
into the hail. In dark armor, and carrying
shining Lochaber axes.
Douglas leaned back In his chair and
locked nonchaantly at these like a specta-
tor OF a pageant. He continued to talk to |
the king easily and calmly. as il he were
In his castle of Thrieve. But Sholto |
saw the white and CHASTITY look on the face
of the chancellor, and his hands nervousIy
grip the table. He noted him lean across |
and confer with Livingston. who nodded |
like that agrees that the moment of |
action has come
At the upper end of the hall were wide |
folding doors. which till now had been shut. |
These were opened now, either half falling |
back to the wall. And through the arch
way came two servitors in black habits |
carrying between them ON huge platter !
of silver a black bulls head, ghast,y and |
ominous even in death, with staring eye
balls and matted frontlet of ensanguined |
hair. O.
''Treachery!" instantly cried Sholtc, and |
ere the men could approach he had drawn [
his sword and stood ready to do battle for |
bulls head is the symbol of death. |
The earl did not move speak. He |
watched the progress Of the men in black, |
who staggered under their heavy burden. |
David had risen to his feet. with his hand |
ON his sword, but William Douglas sat still. |
Alarm and anxiety chased each other |
across the face of the young king.
What is this. chancellor? Why is the |
room filled with armed men?" he cried.
But Crichton had withdrawn himself be- |
hind the partisans of his soldiers, and down
the long table every man had risen and |
drawn his sword. Every eye was turned |
upon the young earl. A score of men, at |
arms came forward to seize him.
Stand hack on your Evesr' cried Sho'to, /
sweeping mis- blade about him to keep |
space clear about his youthful master
But still the Earl William sat calm an6 |
unmoved though all others had risen 20 /
their feet and held arms in their harcs.
What meaEs this mumming?' he cried. |
TT . mystery 10 to b played, surely IT /