Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-12-16


custom, and he had been soldier and
knew the fierce Joy Of desperate struggle
against odds. Might it not be better, after
allp
But then he remembered his women
kind, and, after all, why endanger these
faithful menp He raised his voice and
cried clearly: II accept your good offices,
Sir Philip, and take your advice. will
have the drawbridge lowered, only beg
you will keep your men well in hand and
do my poor house as little damage as may
be-"
Giving Baldwin the order and bidding
him as soon as it was performed come to
him, the knight walked steadily back into
the courtyard and took his stand there.
He dispatched the women and some Of
the servants to lay out meal in the hall,
but it was noticeable that the men went
reluctantly, and that all who could find
any excuse to do SO fingered round Sir
Anthony as II they could not bear to aban-
don him, as II, even at the last moment,
they had some vague notion Of protecting
their master at oil hazards. A score Of Ian
terms shed gloomy. uncertain light
only In places REINFORCED by the glow from
the hall windows-upon the group. Sell
dom had Cotton moon peeped over the
gables at q scene stranger than that which
met the sherif's eyes as with his two
hackers he passed under the gateway.
~ surrender to you, Sir Philip" the
knight said, with dignity, stepping for
ward pace or two, land call you to Wit
ness that might have made resistance
and have not. My tenants are quiet in
their homes, and only my servants are
present.. Father Carey is not here nor in
the house. This IL Baldwin Moor, my
steward, but beg for him your especial
Offices since he has done nothing save by
my command"
''Sir Anthony, believe me that will do
all can, the sheriff responded gravely,
but
but to set at naught the queens proc
lamation and ordcr!" struck in q third
voice harshly-it was Sir Thomas Gre
WITHSTAND she but month on the
thronel For shame, Sir Anthony 1t
smacks to me Of high treason. And many
q man has suffered for less, lot me tell
you. :"
Had she been longer on the throne,
tho sheriff put In more gently, land were
the times quiet, the matter would have
been OF less moment. Sir Anthony, and
might not have become state matter.
But just now
Things are in perilous condition,
your little to make them worsel"
his rage and humiliation. What will
you do with me, gentlemen he asked,
speaking with at least the appearance Of
calmness
..That IL to be SEEM" Greville said,
roughly overriding hiscompanion. For
tonight we must make ourselves and our
mon comfortable here"
Certainly-with Sir Anthony's leave, .
Sir Thomas Grevills," quoth voice from
behind. But only sol'
More than one started violently, while
the Cludde servants almost to man spun
round at the sound Of tho yoice-my voice,
Francis Cludde's, though In the darkness
no one know me. How shall ever forget
the Joy and lively gratitude which filed
my heart as spoke, which turned the
night into day and that fantastic scene Of
shadows into a festival, as felt that the
ambition OF the last four years was about
to be grati1ed? Sir Anthony, who was
one of the first to turn, peered among tho
servants. "Who spoke?' he cried, a sud-
den discomposure in his voice and manner.
why spoke theres"
AYE, Sir Anthony, who didp Greville
said haughtily. "some one apparently
who does not quite understand his place
or the state Of affairs here. Stand back,
my men, and let me soc him. Perhaps we
may teach him useful lesson"
The challenge was welcome, for feared
q scene and to be left face to face with
my uncle more than anything. Now, as
tho servants with loud murmur of sur
prise and recognition fell back and dis
closed me standing by Martins side,
turned little from Sir Anthony and
faced Greyille. "Not this time, think,
Sir Thomas, y I said, giving him back
glance for glance. II have learned my
lesson from some who have Jared farther
and seen more than you, from men who
have stood by their cause In foul weather
as we'll as fair, and were not for mass one
day and sermon the next"
sWhnt is thiss'' he cried angrily. "Who
arc your
''sir Anthony Cludde's dutiful and Low
ing nephew" answered, with cour
teous bow. sCome back, thank heaven,
In time to do him o service, Sir Thomas"
Master Francisl Master Franois!"
Clopton exclaimed in remonstrance. He
had known me in old days. My uncle
meanwhile gazed at me In the utmost as
constituent and into the servants faces
there flashed strange light, while many
of them hailed me In tone which told
me that had but to give the word, and
they would fall on the very sheriff him
self. master Francis" Sir Philip Clop-
ton repeated grayely, "if you would do
your uncle service, this Is not the way
to go about 1t. He has surrendered and is
our prisoner Brawling will not mend
matters"
laughed out loudly and merrily. "Do
you know, Sir Philip" l said, with some
thing Of the old boyish ring In my voice,
81 have been since saw you last to Bel
GUM and Germany-aye, and Poland and
Hamburgp Do you think have come back
q foolp"
~ do not know what to think of you,
he replied dryly, ''but you had best
Keep OWL tongue in your head. my
friend" said Greville, with harshness,
s.and yourself out of this businessi"
"It is just this business have come to
get into, Sir Thomas" answered with
increasing good humor. Sir Anthony,
show them thatl" continued, and drew
out little packet Of parchment with
great red seal hanging from 1t by green
ribbon-just such q packet as that which
/ had stolen from the bishops apparitor
nearly four years back. "a lantern herel"
cried. Hold 1t steady, Martin, that Sir
Anthony may read Master Sheriff wants
his rere supper.
/ gave the packet into the knights