Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-19
CHAPTER XIV.
4 Question of Two MOralfties.

The road toward the block house ran
along the river bank past the Kofn ford.
They went slowly on together through the
starry. WINDY night. Hollywood with his
hand on the bride and the wounded man
holding Imply to the saddle
Counsellor. with an unaccustomed war
fare in his heart-rage and the pity of 1t
working together-stared into space across
the leapng river.
As the two men drew near the ford they
saw the dim figure of a horseman riding
down the bank on the opposite side, with
the evident intention of crossing. The APP
pioaches to the ford were flooded, for the
angry water fretted out its banks at such
times and deepened into dangerous swirls
over the crossing place.
Hollywood checked the horse to shout
and signal to the man that the ford was
impossible. but his voice was drowned by
the harsh-throated noises of the night.
Weak as was the starlight. something of
the loose. reckless swing in the saddle told
Hollywood that the rider was Anthony
nziar. Unfair eallOped down the stones
of the incline and plunged into the torrent.
II was clear from where he took the water
that he intended to make for the little
beach below the block house. His course
was marked by a whitish rise in the water:
now and then the watchers on the bank
lost sight Of the struggling figure as 81
tree trunk whirled past and hid him, or he
seemed to sink in some tormented eddy.
but he came into view again and always
nearer. At the last moment. whether
horse and man We're exhausted or whether
II furious tangle of cross currents caught
them. they were swung round and away
from the landing point.
1t was evident that Unfair saw
Rallywood. for in answer to the latter
signs that he must make for the shadows
lower down. Unfair waved some object
over his head as if to call attention to 1t.
The suck of the current was fast drawing
him away. but with another strong effort
he got the horses head round: they hea I'd
his faint shout upon the wind then the
words came more clearly:
Garry them on-Selpdorfi" He flung
something forward; the gale caught and
hurled it on to the rocks at Hollywood $
feet.
When they looked again Unfair had dis
appeared.
Hurrying up to the block house Rally
wood sent off some troopers to I-nziar's as
-istance; then with some difficulty got his
prisoner, who was stiT ana dizzy, on 10
his feet and supported him to the room
rhere Nine de Sagan and Valerie had rest
ell on the night of the snow storm
Presently Counsellor spoke.
This thing has gone beyond joke he
SAID What does il mean" The glance
from under the overhanging gray brows
had regained its fire
My orders are simple enough 1 am Ia
keep You here until tomorrow afternoon at
6 o'clock
10y hpiIlS so YOU Will rum NASSAU 4
free state and bring most serious defeat
upon British policy" CounseIlor's voice
was rasping. Are you prepared for that ?'
Both men Were Strenuous and bred deer
rant qualities.
Il am prepared to carry out my orders -
answered Hollywood: Il had them prac-
tcally from the duke himself"
The duke is of the same mind in which
l found him at the castle. though he NAV
b. forced TO diSsemble." asserted Counsel
lcr; then. with twist. he sat up as his
glance fell upon the square dark object
E'nS on the table between them. John
Hollywood. do You know what that tsp
ne dispatches thrown to me by In
ziar''
That case is mine: it contains my pri-
vate instructions; you can guess somethinc
or their Importance from the fact that
have been robbed of them. You must give
them back 70 mel As an Englishman and
an honest man. / call upon you to give
them back to me-
Rallywood's long, nervous fingers closed
over the packet
1T Is IMPOSSIBLE" he said. LAS an Eng.
nshman. yes. but as an honest man. well
tilt is hard to say"
Are you mad" cried Counsellor
Il have not had long to think il out. ant
II is tangled question" replied Rally
wood. %earily.
a tangled question? I take it you ar,
first of all an EEslishman?"
In my private capacity. and that deal:
with my private honor. but / have under
taken another responsibility from which
c"unot withdraw at pleasure / am a sworn
soldier Of MaaSau. and as such my publi,
honor has first claim"
II was simple rendering Of tremen
6ous problem. but il served for Hollywood
Then said Counsellor.
There was rush and a scuffie, but Rally
wood was young and strong and NOR,
active than the major
"COnfound you"' Counsellor fell back
step or two, breathing hard. There ar,
some situations which by their elemental
force destroy all other emotions. The sit
uation at kofn guard house was one o
these. The point at issue between thes,
two men pierced to the bedrock of ma
tional loyalty. Perhaps Blivinsh was right
Love of country was part OF their physica
equipment. yet by the irony of circum
stances they were pitted against eacl
other.
will you give me your parole?' aske,
Hollywood with his back to the door.
Counsellor drew out a big watch.
For fifteen minutea." he said. 1T Ii nov