Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-11-25


Kingston and Matthcwson.
Lolling against the wall under one OF
the sconces, looked at Master Berthe, e1-
pecting to be called up with him. He
smiled ms our eyes met. and thought
with rush of tenderness how lightly
could have dared the worst had all my as
sociates been like him. But repining
came too late, and in moment Penrud-
docke surprised me by calling out "Crewd-
son and Carey!"
So Master Bertie was not to be my com
panion2 learned aftcrward that men
who were strangers to one another were
purposely associated, the theory being
that each should keep an eye upon his
oath fellow. went forward to the end OF
the table and took the book
There was slight pause
'sCrewdson" called Penruddocke sharp
ly. Did you not hear, man.
There WAS little stir Mt the farther
end of the room, and he came forward,
moving slowly and reluctantly. sgw
that he was the man whom Penruddocke
had called back when we entered, man
OF great height, though slender, and close
ly cloaked. A dropping gray mustache
covered his mouth, and that was almost
all made out before Sir Thomas, with
some sharpness, babe him uncover. He
Gid so with an abrupt gesture, and reach
ing out his hand grasped the other end OF
the book as though he would take 1t from
me- His manner was so strange that
Cooked hard at him, and he, jerking up
[1is head with gesture Of defiance, looked
1T me, too, his face very pale
heard Penruddooke's voice droning
the words of the oath, but paid no at
tention to them-I was busted with some
thing else Where had seen the sinister
CLEAN In those eyes before, and that fore
head high and narrow, and those lean,
swarthy cheeks? Where had before con-
fronted that very face which now glared
into mine across the booki Its look was
bold and defiant, but low down in the
cheek I saw little pulse beating furious
~, pulse which told of anxiety, and the
jaws, half yelled by the ragged mustache,
were set in an iron grip. Where2 Ha! l
knew. dropped my end Of the book and
stepped back.
tLook to the doorl' I Dried, my voice
sounding harsh and strange in my own
ears "Let no one leave. denounoe that
mani" And raising my hand pointed
pitilessly at my oath fellow. II denounce
him-he is spy and traitorl'
81 spy'" the man shouted fercely,
with the ferceness of despair.
AYE, you, yonl Clarence, or Crewdson,
or whatever you call yourself, denounce
you! Ny time has comel"
The bitterness Of that hour long past,
when he had left me for death, when he
had played with the human longing for
life and striven without thought Of pity
to corrupt mo by hopes and fears the most
awful that mortals know, was In my
voice as spoke. Irejoiced that vengeance
had como upon him at last, and that l
was Its instrument. saw the pallor Of q
great fear creep into his dark cheek and
read in his eyes the vicious passion OF q
wild beast trapped and felt no pity. Mas
ter Clarence" I said and laughed
laughed mockingly You do not look
pleased to see your friends, or perhaps you
do not remember me. Stand forward,
Master BERTHE! Maybe he will recognize
you"
But though Master BERTHE came forward
and stood by my side, gazing at him, the
villain g eyes did not for an instant shift
from mine. ut Is the mani" my compan-
Ion said after q solemn pause, for the
other, breathing fast, made no answer.
He was spy in the pay Of Bishop Gard
jner when knew him. At the bishops
death I heard that he passed into the serv-
Ice Of the Spanish ambassador, the Count
de Ferin He called himself at that time
Clarence. recognize him. "
The quiet words had their effect. From
full one half OF the savage crew round US
far
any loud outcry, yet this seemed relief
to the doomed man. He forced himself to
look away from me and to confront the dark
ring of menaoing faces which hemmed
him in. The moment he did so he ap-
peared to find courage and words. They
take me for another mani" he cried IN
hoarse accents. II know nothing of
them!" and he added fearful oath. HE
knows me. Ask him!"
He pointed to Walter Kingston, who
was sitting moodily on q tram outside the
ring, and who alone had not risen under
the excitement of my challenge. On being
thus appealed to he looked up suddenly.
ssIf am to choose between you" he said
bitterly, land say which is the true man,
know which shall pick"
s.Whiohf' Clarence murmured.
"Which!" This time his tone was differ
emit. In his voice was the ring of hope.
II should give my vote for you, King
ston replied, looking CONTEMPORARY at
him. II know something about you, but
of the other gentleman know nothingl"
s.And not much of the person you call
Crewdson, rctorted fiercely, since you
do not know his real name.
II know this much," the young man
answered, tapping his boot with his scab-
bard with studied carelessness, that he
lent me some money and seemed good
fellow and one that hated q mass priest.
That is enough for me. As for his name,
1t is his fancy perhaps. You call yourself
Carey Well. know good many Careys,
but do not know you, nor ever heard OF
you'll"
swung round on him with hot cheek.
But the challenge which was upon my
tongue was anticipated BY Master Berthe,
who drew me forcibly back. Leave this
to mo, Francis" no said, "and do you
watch that man. Master Kingston and
gentlemen, he continued, turning again
to them and drawing himself to his full
height as he addressed them, listen II
you pleased You know me, II you do not
know my friend. The honor OF Richard
Berthe has never been challenged until to-
night, nor ever will be with immunity.
Leave my friend out of the question and
nut me in 1t. l, Richard BERTHE, say that
that man Is paid spy and informer, come
hera in quest of blood money, and he,
Crewdson, nameless man, says that I
lie. Choose between US, or look at him
and judge! Look!'
He was right to bid them look. As the
savage murmur rose again and took from
the wretched man his last hope, as the
uRliness Of despair and wicked, impotent