Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-12-02

and fingered with my hand on the key
until an abrupt knocking on the other
side of the door brought the blood to my
face Before could turn the key the hasty
summons was repeated and grew to q
frantic, hurried drumming on the boards
"a sound which plninly told Of terror
suddenly conceived and in an instant full
grown A hoarse cry followed, coming
duly to my ears through the thickness Of
tho door, and the next moment the stout
planks shook as heavy weight fell against
them
turned tho key and the door was flung
open from within. My father stumbled
out.
The strong light for an instant blinded
him, and he blinked as an owl does
brought to the sunshine. Even in him
the long hours passed in solitude and the
blackness of despair had worked changes.
His hair was grayer; in patches 1t was al
most white, and then again dark. BE had
gnawed his lower lip, and there were
bloodstains on it. His mustache, too, was
ragged and torn, as If he had gDawed that
also. His eyes were bloodshot, his lean
face was white and haggard and fierce.
"Ha!'' he cried, trembling as he peered
round, II thought they had left me to
starve! There were rats in theret I
thought
He stopped. He saw me standing hold
ing the edge Of the door. He saw that
otherwise the room was empty, the farther
door leading to the shaft open. An open
door! To him doubtless 1t seemed Of all
sights the most wonderful, the most heav-
enlyi His knees began to shake under
him.
What Is ity' he muttered. what
were they shouting about? heard them
shouting"
THE queen is dying" answered sim
ply, 'or dead, and you can do US no moro
harm. You nre free. !"
"Frees' He repeated the word, leaning
against the wall, his eyes wild and glar-
Ing, his lips parted.
Yes; free, !" answered in a lower voice
-.'fres to go out into the air Of heaven Q
living manl'' paused. For moment
could not continue. Then added sol
omnly, ..Sir, Providence has saved you
from death and me from q crime. !"
He leaned still against the wall, dazed,
thunderstruck, almost incredulous, and
looked from me to the open door and back
again as II without this constant testt-
mony Of his eyes he could not believe In
his escape.
1T Was not Annes'' he mnrmured
"She did mott
.sShe tried to save your life, = I am
swered, s'but they would not listen 20
herr
Did she come heref"
AS he spoke he Strengthened himself
with an effort and stood up. He was
growing more like himself
,tN aov,tf or md
told me her terms. But Kingston and the
others would not listen to them. You
would have been dead now, though I did
all l could to save you, II Penruddocke
had not brought this news OF the queen.
''She Is deadw
"She Is dying. The Spanish embassa-
dor, y added to clinch the matter. for 3
saw he doubted, rode through here this
afternoon to pay his court to the Princess
Elizabeth at Hatfield. /"
He looked down at the ground, think
Ing deeply. Most men would Lave bean
unable to think at all, unable to concen-
trate their thoughts on anything save
their escape from death. But life Of
daily risk and hazard had so hardened
this man that was certain, q watched
him, that he was not praying nor giving
thanks. he was already pondering how
he might make the most out OF the change;
how he might to the best advantage sell
his knowledge Of the government whose
hours were numbered to the government
which soon would BIO. The life of intrigue
had become second nature to him.
He looked up, and our eyes met We
gazed at one another.
why are you heres'' he said curiously.
..why did they leave your Why were you
the one to stop to set me frse. Master
Carey?"
4sMy name Is not Carey, answered.
s'What is 1t, thenf' he asked carelessly.
ssCludde, answered softly.
ssCluddei" He called 1t out. Even his
self mastery could not cope with this SUR
prise. 'sCludde," he said again-said u
twice in lower voice.
eyes, Cludde,n answered, meeting
and yet shrinking from his questioning
eyes, my name Is Cludde So is yours. !
tried to save your life, because learned
from Mistress Anne
paused. I shfank from telling him
that which, as it seemed to me. would
strike him to the ground In shame and
horror. But he had no fear.
..Whatsn he cried. What did you
learn2''
THAT you are my father," answered
slowly 81 am Francis Cludde, the son
whom you deserted many years ago and TO
whom Sir Anthony gave home at Co
CONTINUED Wednesday,