Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-12-13
AUTHOR or THE NAN m eLAc<',,
N GENTLEMAN OF FRANCE =. EwEM

heard q sCream-a scream OF such horror
and fear that they scarcely recognized
human voice In tho sound. They sprang
to their feet scared and trembling, and for
q few seconds looked into one another's
faces. Then, as curiosity got the upper
hand, tho boldest took the lead and all
hurried pellmell to the door, issuing in
mob into the courtyard, where Ferdinand
Cludde, who happened to be near and had
also heard the cry. Joined them. Where
was it, Baldwin, he exclaimed.
AT the back, think, !" the steward an
swered. He alone had had the GOODNESS to
bring out lantern, and he now led the
way toward the rear OF the house. Sure
enough, close to the edge of the moat, they
found Martin stopping with his hands on
his knees, q great wound. half bruise, half
out, upon his forehead. "What ia itY" Fer
dinand cried sharply. "Who did it, mann"
Baldwin had already thrown his light
on the fools face, and Martin, seeming to
become conscious of their presence, looked
at them, but In dazed fashion. WHAT"
he muttered what is whatf"
BY this time nearly every one in the
house had hurried to tho spot. among
them not only Petronilla, olinging to her
fathers arm, but Mistress Anne, her face
pale and gloomy, and half dozen wom-
enfolk who clutched one another tightly
and screamed at regular intervals.
What is itf' Baldwin repeated rough
", laying his hand on Martins arm and
slightly shaking him ..Come, who struck
you, man!'
''I think" the fool answered slowly,
gulping down something and turning
dull eye on the group, "a swallow flew
by and hit ne!''
They shrank away from him instino-
lively, and some crossed themselves. He
is in one of his mad fits" Baldwin NUT
tered. Still the steward showed no fear.
"a swallow, mani he cried aloud.
Come. talk sense. There are no swallows
flying at this time Of year, and If there
were they do not fly by night nor give
men wounds like that What was ita Out
with 1t nowl Do you not see, man, he
added, giving Martin IN impatient shake,
that Sir Anthony is waiting9"
The fool nodded stupidity. "a swal-
low, he muttered. Aye, twas swal-
low, great big swallow. LII nearly put
my foot on him."
And he flow up and hit you in the
faceY" Baldwin said, with huge contempt
In his tone.
Martin accepted the suggestion placidly.
"Aye, twas 80 A great big swallow, and
he flew in my face, he repeated.
Sir Anthony looked at him compassion
ately. Poor fellow!' he said. Baldwin,
see to him. He has had one Of his fits and
hurt himself
II never knew him to hurt himself,
Baldwin muttered darkly
LET somebody see to him, tho knight
said, disregarding the interruption. And
now come, Petronilla Why, where has
tho girl gomez
Not far. Only round to the other side
of him, that abe might be little nearer
to Martin. The curiosity In the other
women's faces was q small thing In com
parison with the startled, earnest look In
hers. She gazed at the man with eyes not
Of alright, but of eager, avid questioning.
while through her parted lips her breath
came In gasps Her cheek was red and
white by turns, and for her heart-well,
1t had seemed to stand still moment,
and now was beating like the heart OF
some poor captured bird held in the hand
She did not seem to hear her father speak
to her, and he had to touch her sleeve.
Then she started as though she were
awakening from dream and followed
him sadly into tho house.
Sadly, and yet there was light In her
Eyes which had not been there five minutes
before. A swallow A great big swallowe
And this was December, when the swal-
lows we're at the bottom Of Re horse
ponds. She only knew of one Swallow
whose return was possible in winter. But
then that one swallow-aye, though the
snow sheuld lie inches deep In the chase
and the water should freeze In her room
would mako summer for her. Gould 1t
be that oneP Could 1t bep Petronilla's
heart was beating so loudly % she went
IN stairs after her father that she won
dered he did not hear it.
The group left round Martin gradually
melted away. Baldwin was the only man
who could deal with him in his mad fits,
and the other servants, with shudder
and o backward glance, gladly left him to
tho steward. Mistress Anne had gone in
some time. Only Ferdinand Cludde re-
manned, and he stood little apart and
seemed more deeply engaged in listening
for any sound which might betoken the
sheritf's approach than In hearkening to
their conversation. Listen as he might he
would have gained little from the latter,
for it was made up entirely Of scolding on
one side and stupid reiteration on the
other Yet Ferdinand, ever suspicious and
on his guard, must have felt some interest
in it, for he presently called the steward
to him. lis he more fool or knavef' he
muttered, pointing under hand at Mar
tin, who stood in the gloom few PAGES
away.
Baldwin shrugged his shoulders, but re-
manned silent. What happenedp What
Is the meaning of it alp Ferdinand per-
sisted his keen eyes on the stewards face.
ibid he do it himself, or who did it'"
Baldwin turned slowly and nodded to-
ward the moat. II expect you will find
him who did it there, he said grimly.
81 never knew q man save Sir Anthony
or Master Francis hit Martin yet but he
paid for it, and when his temper is up he
is mad, or as good as mad, and better
than two sane men!"
..He is dangerous fellow" Ferdinand
said thoughtfully, shiyering little. 1t
was unlike him to shiver and shake, but
the bravest have their moods.
"Dangeroust" the steward answered.
"Aye, he is to some and sometimes"
Ferdinand Cludde looked sharply at the
speaker, as If he suspected him Of o covert
sneer. But Baldwin's gloomy face be-
trayed no CLINT of intelligence or amuse-
ment. and the knights brother, treasured
and yet uneasy, turned on his heel and
went into the house, nesting at the door
a servant who came to tell him that Sir
Anthony was calling for him. Baldwin
Moor, left alone, stood q moment think
Il ~ y