The San Francisco call., 1904-06-26
,arty. Il never liked the kidnapping

idea
'.Nor T." said the cobbler. ''It was
but a wild Hielan' notion"
My project has this advantage"
continued Ballengeich with nOnchalant
impartiality that If it does not sue
ceed you can then fall back upon alb
duction. Nothing in this proposal in
terferes with the ultimate carrying out
of your first plan"
At last II was decided that all should
go. if BalIengeich could procure writ
ten safe-cOnduct signed by the King,
which would include eleven persons.
Within three days this document was
placed il the ha-ds of the cobbler oy
Ballengeich, who tod him that IL hau
been signed that morning And ne
added that the King had expressed
himself as well pleased to receive
deputatiOn of his loyal subjects.
The cobbler handled the passport
gingerIy as If he were not altogether
assured Of its potency to protect him.
THE conference is for Wednesday aC
midnight" said Ballengeich. Assem-
bic some minutes before that hour IN
the courtyard OF the castle. and you
will be conducted TO the presence.
Wednesday" echoed the cobbler,
his face turning pale. why, Wednes-
day, the day of our weekly meetings!
Did you suggest it?"
1T was the Kings suggestion. OK
course" replied Ballengeich. 1T is
merely coincidence, and is. think, a
good omen"
II wish 1 were sure Of it," moaned
the cObbler.
Before the bell rang twelve the con-
spirators were gathered together in the
courtyard of Castle Stirling-huddled
would perhaps be the more accurate
word for they were eleven very fright
ened men.
AS the bell slowly tolled twelve an Of
fetal came from the palace into the
courtyard. searched the delegation for
concealed weapons and curtly conf
manded them to follow him. Climbing
the stone stairway they were ushered
into a large room containing a. long
oaken table with five chairs on one side
and six on the other At the head %
the table was a high seat re-
sembling a throne The ofncial lerI
them standing there alone. and after ne
mad closed the door they heard the
ominous sound of bolts being thrust
into their places. The silence which
followed seemed oppressive. almost sur
locating. At last the tension was
broken, but il would scarcely be correct
to say that il was relieved The heavy
curtains parted and the King entered
the room, clad in the imposing robes OF
his high state. A frOwn was on his
brow and he advanced straight from
the doorway to the throne at the head
of the table without speaking or cast
ing a glance at any one Of the eleven.
When he had seated himself he said
gruffiy:
There is a chair for each Of you. sit
down."
1t is doubtful if any of the company
EXCEPT the cobbler at first recognized
their ruler as the alleged Laird of Bal
lengeich; but at the sound of the NOR
arch's voice several started and looked
anxiously one at another. Again the
King addressed them:
"A week ago tonight I met you IN
FIemming's room. 1 appointed this day
for the conference that the routine OF
your meetings might not be disturbed.
as I thought it well that the last OF
your religious gatherings should Oe
held in the Castle of Stirling. FOR 1
am resolved that this conclave shall D.
be your final effort in treason. One OF
your number has stated that the word
|; of a Stuart is not TO be trusted This
rebutation appears to have descended
to me- and il is pity L should not
take advantage ~ IL
When the King ceased speaking ne
lifted a small mallet and smOte re-
Sounding bell which was on the table
before him. \ curtain parted and two
men entered bearing between them a
block covered with black CLOTH this
they placed silently in the center OF
the floor and withdrew. Again the
King smote the bell and there entered
a masked executioner with "a cleaning
ak over his shoulder. He took his
place beside the block, resting the
head Of his AK on the floor
This" said the King. lis the en-
tertainment / have provided for you.
Each of you shall taste or mat ana
he pointed to the heading block
The cobbler rose unsteadily to his
feet. drawing from his bosom with
trembling fingers the parchment bear
ing the Kings signature. He mOlslen-
ed his dry lips with his tongue, then
spoke in a low voice;
Sir he said. I'VE are here under
safe conduct from the King"
Safe conduct to where?" cried
= James angrily; that is the point.
stand by the document. Read it
read it," " o.
Sir, it says safe conduct for eleven
men here present. under protection OF
your royal word
You do not keep to the point, cob
bier" shouted the King, bringing his
first down on the table, safe con-
duct TO where, l asked. The parch-
ment does nOt>say safe conduct back
into Stirling again. Safe conduct 70
heaven or elsewhere was what 1 guar
anteed."
That is but an advocates bubble.
vour Majesty. Safe conduct IS. q
phase we'll understood by high ana
low alike. Nevertheless, 1 would re-
spectfully submit to your Majesty that
/ alone of those present doubted q
Stuart's word and am like 10 have my
doubts practically confirmed. / would
also point TO your Majesty that my
comrades would not have been here
had l not trusted the Master or BaIlen-
geich. and through him the King;
therefore / ask you to let me alone
nav the penalty of my error and al
low my friends to go scathless from
the grim walls of Stirling.
There is reason in what you say,
repIied the King. Are you all agreed
to that" he asked of the others.
mo. by Cod" cried the leader.
springing to his feet as Justify as the
King had done. We stand together
or fan together. The mistake was
ours as much as his and we entered
these gates with our eyes Open"
'Headsman," said the King, do
your duty
The headsman whipped on the black
cloth and displayed underneath IL a box
IL