Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1902-01-25
MICAH CLARKE
Author Of "Adgeatures Of II
Sherlock Eo'mes,' me N
nlofrs o. Sherlock Holmes" III
"Tse Refugees" Etc. "
> ). BY A. Conan Doyle. y y

Coulu nave Deen worse Tor the success
OF my mission, and yet there was no help
for it but 10 deliver my dispatches. /
can say with a clear conscience. without
any vainglory, that l had no fears fer
myself. The doing of my duty was the
one thought in my mind. And here |
may say, once for all, my dear children.
that | am speaking of myself all through
this statement with the same freedom as
though ii wer0 another man. In very
truth the strong, active lad of one-and-
twenty was another man from the gray
headed old fellow who sits in the chimney
corner and can do naught better than
tell old tales to the youngsters. Shallow
water gives a great splash, and so a
bra ggaIt has ever been contemplate in
my eyes. | trust, therefore. that we will
never think that your grandad is singing
his own praises, or setting himself up as
better than his neighbOrs. | do but lay
the facts. as far as | can recall them.
before ye, with all freedom and with all
truth.
My short delay and hesitation had sent
4 hot flush of anger into the dukes face
so | drew the packet of papers from my
inner pocket and handed them to him
with a respectful bow. AS his eyes fell
upon the superscriptiOn, he gave a sudden
start of surprise and agitation, making
Il motion though TO hide them in his
bosom. If this were his impulse he over
came it, and sat lost in thought for Il
minute or more with the papers in his
hand. Then, with a quick toss Of the
head, like a man who hath formed his
resolution, he broke the seals and east
his eyes over the contents, which he
then threw down upon the table with
bitter laugh.
What think We, gentlemen?" he cried.
looking round with scornful eyes-"what
think We this private message hath proved
to be? 1t is letter from the traitor
Monmouth, calling upon me to resign the
allegiance Of my natural sovereign and
to draw my sword in his behalf. IL l do
this | am to have his gracious favor and
protection. If not, l incur sequestration,
Punishment and ruin. He thinks Beau
forts loyalty is to be bought like Il
packman's ware, or bullied out
of him by ruffling words. The descend
ant of John of Gaunt is to render fealty
to the brat of wandering play-wom-
am
Several of the company sprang to their
feet. and general buzz of surprise and
anger greeted the dukes words. He sat
with bent brows, beating his foot aainst
the round, and turning over the papers
upon the table
What hath raised his hopes to such
mad height?" he cried. How doth he
presume to send such missvc to one of
my quality! Is it because he hath seen
the backs of a parcel of rascally militia
men. and because he hath drawn a few
hundred chawbacons from the plow's
tail to his standard, that he ventures to
hold such language 10 the President of
Wales? But ye will be my witnesses
as to the spirit in which | received it,
We can preserve your grace from all
danger Of SANDER on that point" said
an elderly officer. while a murmur of as
sent from the others greeted the remark.
And youi" cried Beaufort, raising his
voice and turning his flashing eyes upon
me: who are you that dare to bring
such a message to Badminton? You had
surely taken leave Of your senses ere
You did set out upon such an errand!''
Il am in the hands of God here as
elsewhere, l answered, with some fash
of my fathers fatalism. II have done
what | promised to do, and the rest is
no concern of mine"
you shall find it very close concern
Of thine he shouted, springing from
his chair and pacing up and down the
room; so close as to put an end to all
thy other concerns in this life. Call in
the halberdiers from the outer hall!
Now, fellow, what have you to say for
yourself?'
There is naught to be said" l an
swered.
But something to be done" he re
secure his handsr'
-Four halberdiers who had answered
the summons closed in upon me and laid
hands on me. Resistance would have
been folly, for ] had no wish to harm
the men in the doing of their duty.
had come to take my chance, and if that
chance should prove to be death. as
seemed likely enough at present, it must
be met as a thing foreseen. | thought
of those old-time lines which Master
Chillingfoot of Petersfeld had ever held
up to our admiration:
Non civium ardor prava iuhentium
Non yultus instantis tyranni
Mente quatit sOllda.
Here was the 'vultus instantis tyran-
nj in this stout, bewigged, Iace-c0vered.
yeliow-faced man in front OF me- | had
obeyed the poet in so far that my cour-
age had not been shaken. l confess that
this spinning dusthcap OF world has
never had such attractions for me that
1t would be a pang to leave it, Never.
at least. until my marriage-and that.
YOU will find, alters your thoughts about
the value of your life, and many other
Of your thoughts as well This being so.
stood erect. with my eyes fixed upon
the angry nobleman, while his soldiers
were putting the gives about my wrists.
XIV.