Evening star., 1903-07-18
CHAPTER Xxx.
En1iUhfenmepf

though he had overslept himself for Nh
| trampling of horses sounded in the nave,
courtyard below. The one window of hi
| room. over which he had drawn and fas
tened heavy wooden shutters the night he
fore, let in thread of light which showed
hlm new day had come and the activft,
| In the yard made him fear he had lai1
longer abed than was his custom He wa.
the more convinced of this in that he re
nembered haZily the clattering hoofs of :
horse some time before and then later Al
other being led out; now there appeared tt
De third and the hum of talk came VI
10 him. His window overlooked the stabl,
yard and he recognized the humble of th.
hoSticr who had assisted him yesterday II,
lay still. half drowsed. the mattress mos
alluring to him. when suddenly he wa.
startled wide awake by a voice he knew
Then. turn to the left for Brought on p
Yes. sir, muttered the hostler
Armstrong leaped from his bed. placed
his eye at the chink In the shutters anC
pecrcd down into the stable yard The
voice had not misled him De Courcy sit.
ting on a horse, was just gathering up the
reins and departing The Scot lost no
time in pulling on his boots pushinp aeid,
the bed, unbolting the door and maxine
his way down the stair. What did this
gaily plumaged bird of ill-omen here in
the country of the parliament when his
place was beside the king? Was thare
outside he saw 1t was still early with the
sun scarcely risen. He accosted the yawn-
ing hostler.
Who was that man you were directing
to BrOug hton?'
Il don't know sir
when did he arrive?'
Last night sir after dark
Ibid he stop in this house,"
Yes, sir. | thought he was a friend of
yours. for he knew your horse when
was putting up his own. He asked If you
were here and l told him you We're In the
room over the yard.
What is Broughton, a hamlet p
1T is castle, sir. Lord Says castle.
about three miles from here General
Cromwell is there now; it is his headquar-
ters in this district
'Cromwell,'
The young man stood stock still, eyes
gazing into Vacancy. What traffic had
this kings chamberlain with Cromwell?
How dared he come within the paria-
mentary lines. undisguised. unless
unless
Like inspiration the whole situation
flashed upon him. De Courcy knew the
burden he carried. and had seen where it
was placed. He his way to sell
his secret and set the troops on the track
of the messenger. He must be off at once
and outride the traitor. Before De Courcy
had gone his three miles he would have
raversed "a dozen. and from then on 1t
would be a race to the Scottish border
is my horse fed?'
Get him out at once I will arouse the
others"
He took three steps toward the inn then
stopped AS if Shot. his hand clutching his
breast.
by God, he's got the thing itself Rob-
bed. I'm sinner!''
Now the disturbance in the night stood
out clear in his memory, but he wasted not
a thought over It, In upon the astonished
hOstler he swept.
Never mind the saddle, fellow. Spring
up behind me and show me the road to
Broughton. Up l say. the horse can carry
a dozen like us. Here's two gold pieces
for you. guidance and a still tongue In your
head is what | want
Armstrong grasped the two pistols from
the holsters. flung the hesitating hostler
upon the animals back and leaped up In
front of him.
Which way. which way which way?"
Straight down the street. sir gaSped
the terrified man, clasping the rider round
the waist. Now to the right sir and next
to the left. That's it, sir. Up the hill Ah
there's your man. jogging on ahead, leis-
urely enough. If it's him you seek"
Right. Slip off; l cant stop. God be
with YOU"
The hostler rolled in a heap along the
ditch. staggered to his feet. feeling his
lin bs for broken bones, thinking his gold
satisfying himself that the damage was not
great. hobbled back to Banbury.
De Courcy. riding easily as the man had
said. wholly unsuspiciOus of pursuit OE any
reason for it. had disappeared into a hol-
low. when Black Bruce, like a thunder
cloud came over the crest and charged
down upon him with the irresistible force