Omaha daily bee., 1903-06-14
June IA, 1903

SNSSN win lis bdth the
door, the only exit.
Very well. Come down." said Traquair,
quietly.
When the sentinel returned Traduair
bade him get rope and tie the innkeeper
hand and foot, while the prisoner groveled
10: his life, his applications meeting with
no response.
Now take him outside, Angus, and il
there is any attempt on his part To move
or If there is an alarm of rescue run him
through with your pike and retreat on
us. As for you, you false knave. your life
Will depend on your lying quiet for the
moment and on what you tell US here
after"
Am ia be taken ava, your merciful
lordship?" sobbed the man. who. now tbat
his life seemed in no immediate dancer
turned his anxiety toward his propertv
What 'ull become O. tn inn. fur there's
name here ia tax care or"
well take care OF, never fear repIied
Traquair, grimly.
Inc stalwart Angus dragged the man out
ana the door was once more closed.
L tMhk we may venture to seat orr
serves again. said Traquair, suiting the
ACTON to the word. There's nothing mora
to be done, and pursuit is hopeless"
All sat down with the exception of Arm
strong, who remained standing with his
pack to the door, gazing somewhat scorn-
fully on the concIave.
You will pardon me Tr,o,,ir" ~
armstrong for you know / would h.
glad to forward anything you had a hand
In, short of slipping my neck into = moose
out at that point l draw back. I'll not set
1901 on English soil now, king or no king
Man. Traquair, l wonder at you! The lot
OF you remind me of a covey of partridges
holding conference in a fox's den"
IN not going to defend the coyev OF
partrfdges, VIII, but after airs said ord
done the dangers not so much greater than
It was before" ~
do you think I'm fool enough to set face
south when there's a spy galloping ahead
OF me with full particulars of every item
III my "alet? Not me! 1t was had enough
before, as you say; now it's impossible
That is, 1t is impossible for me. for the Av-
ing man knows all about me. No: the
proper thing to do is to meet at vour castle
or some other safe place. and choose n man
whose name and description are not in tho
wind ahead of him."
But I've known you to clench with ouito
as dangerous a task before"
It's not the danger, Traquair. as much
as the folly that holds me back. I've beon
In many a foolish scramble before now az
you have limited, but 1 learn wisdom with
age and thus differ from our friend Solo
mon."
WIN nothing change your decision?"
Nothlng; nothing in the world; not any,
thlng even you can say, my lord.
Any trampling ass may break an egg
out once broken the wisest man in the
kingdom cannot place it together again
1onights egg is smashed, Traquair."
l Gamma blame you; 1 Gamma blame you''
Salo the earl dejectedly. drawing a deep
sign Ihen turning to the others he CON
'"nueu. gentlemen, there's no more to be
SAID We must convene again. Would to-
morrow or the day after, be convenient
for your"
was agreed that the meeting should
take place two days from that time.
10 are not angry with me, Traquair?"
asked Armstrong.
Not In the least, VIII. appreciate vour
point Of view, and were l in your place 7
should have reached exactly the same con-
clusion."
Then I must beg a bed from Won to
night. l have no wish to stay In this place
ana II you are bent for home, as l surmiSa
IN JUST trot my nag alongside o. yours"
1 was TINS moment going to ask Won
for l confess I'll ride the safer that vorr
stout arm is near"
Inc company left the inn together and
IN the middle of the road, before the house.
they iouhd Angus with a torch, standing
GUARD over a shapeless bundle huddled AT
his feet. The bundle was maxine fatnt
pleadings to the man-at-arms, TO which
nat warrior was listening with stoIid IN
olnerence. The murmurs ceased as the
group OF men drew near. Traquair ex-
tended a cordial invitation to all or anv 70
spend the night at the castle, which was
the nearest house, but the others did NOT
accept Each mar got upon his horse. and
some went one direction and some another
Fhhg your lighted torch into the loft "
said Traquair to Angus.
Ihat VIII prevent this wolf worrvin1
80 ns property. When you've done
follow us. Has there heen rinn ""u