Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-06-20
CHAPTER XII.
Examination.

When Captain Bent entered the galleried
room with his prisoner he found Cromwell
seated at the table, his head bowed over
some pages of manuscript which he was
busily writing. The general did not look
up for full minute, until he had finished
the sentence he was inditing. then he raised
his head and said quietly to the captain:
GO"
For one brief and lamentable instant the
discipline which held the captain in its
bonds relaxed and he replied in SURPRISE:
And leave him unguarded, sr?'
Cromwell said nothing. but look of such
devilish ferocity came into his piercing gray
eyes that the captain staggered as if he
had received a blow. gasped, turned and
fled. When the commander spoke to Arm
strong there was no trace of resentment or
anger in his tones.
"Will you oblige me by closing that door
which Captain Bent has stupidity left open !!
You are nearer 1t than L.
Armstrong, with a bow did what he was
requested to do, and returned to his place
beside the table.
II fear l must begin with an apology, a
form of speech to which l am unaccus-
toned. You have been stopped quite with
out just cause. and I trust you have met
with no inconvenience nor harsh treatment
in consequence"
with neither, General Cromwell. if I am
not at fault in so addressing you. I believe
there are not two such men as you in the
army of the parliament
Cromwell paid heed to the compli-
ment. if such was intended, but although
his voice was suave his keen eye searched
the prisoner like an east wind
The stoppage may indeed save you fur
Their annoyance If you intend to travel
about the country, for 1 will give you a
pass likely to prevent such mistake in
future. You are in the cattle trade, 1 am
told?'
Yes. general"
TITS an honest occupation, and 1 am
pleased to believe my army has ever been
an upholder of it, paying for what 1t re-
quires In sound money even when the
wages of the soldier were scant and In
arrear. The acquisitions and confiscations
which have followed like a plague the
track of the kings forces devastating the
country like the locusts of Scripture are
no accompaniment to the troopers of the
Lord. 1t is perhaps your intention to dea
with us rather than with the kings army
should you venture so far south?'
Indeed, / know little of English no,;t;cs
ana the man with money in his pouch and
a purchasing brain in his head is the char
I'm looking for, be he royalist or parlia.
mentarian.''
have no desire to interfere. You know OF
no reason, then. for your arrestment nv
| my stupid captain. Ephriam Bent?"
Truth to tell, your honor, and 1 know a
very good reason for 1t.
Hump! And what is that?"
The generals brows contracted slightly
and the intensity of his gaze became yelled
| as If film like that of an eagles eve tenn.
| porarily obscured it.
| Some nights since. as 1 was making for
| the English line. 1 stopped for refreshment
| at an inn where had been accustomed tC
| halt in my travels To my anna cement
\ was refused admittance by a man who
| stood on guard. We had bit of a debat re-
| which ended in my overpowering him and
| forcing an entrance, and which was more
surprised. the dozen there gathered To.
| gether, or me with their sentry under my
| oxter. 1t would be difficult to tell. swords
| were drawn, and / might have come badly
out OF the encounter had it not been tina,
| a friend of mine among the assemble pc
recognized me-"
A shade of perplexity had overspread the
| grim face OF the general as this apparently
| simple tale went on. He leaned his elbow
| on the table. and shaded his face with his
| open hand from the light of the two can
| dies thumb under chin and forefinger along
| his temple. At this point in the discourse
| he interrupted
| Il suppose you wish to mention nc
names?'' '
| Il see no objection" continued Arm.
| strong. innocently. II take 1t that the neu
| were quite within their right In catherine
| there, although l commended they exceeded
| their right in trying to keep me out of a
| public house My friend was the Earl OF
Traquair The others did not know. anc