The San Francisco call., 1904-06-26

of Ballengeicn, after peertng out into
the darkness to see that the way was
clear. took his leave.
The laird was prompt in keeping his
appointment on the following Wednes-
day. and learned that the conspirators
were glad of his assistance. The cob
bler's tool box had been pushed out of
the way. and a hake-shift table, com
posed of three boards and two trestles,
occupied the center of the room.
we have been told began the
leader, who filed the chair at the
head of the table, where ne had ad-
ministered the oath with much solem-
nifty to their new member, I'VE have
been told that you own a house, which
you will place at our disposal should
the purpose fer which we are gathered
here together succeed"
Il have such a house, said the laird.
"and it is, of course. placed freely at
your service. But the plan you pro-
pose is so full of danger that ! wond-
cred if you have given the project the
deep consideration it deserves. 1t Will
be a hazardous undertaking to get the
King safely into my house, but let US
suppose that done How are you 60
ing to keep him there?"
1--WE will set a guard over him.
VERY good. Which of you are to be
the guardsmen, and how many?
The conspirators looked at one an
other, but none replied. At last the
leader said:
1T will be time to settle that when
we have him safely under bolt"
Pardon me, not so. The time to ar
range all things is now. Everything
must be cut and dried, or failure is
certain. The moment the King Is
missed the country will be secured for
him. There will be no possible place
of refuge for miles round that will not
be searched for the missing monarch.
'"The King is but boy. and when he
sees death or compliance before him
he will accede to our demands"
Suppose, then, he gives consent TO
all you place before him? Do you
think he will keep his word?"
Il doubt it," said the cobbler. speak
ing for the first time. The word OF
Stuart is not worth the snap OF my
finger
ION the other hand. if he does not
accede." continued Bellengeich, what
are we to do with him?"
''Cut his throat" replied the leader
decisively.
mo, no." cried several others, and
for a momept there was clamor OF
discussion, all speaking at once. while
the laird stood silently regarding the
vociferous disputants. Finally their
leader said:
what better plan have you to pro-
pose?''
.',rhe King is boy spoke up Ballen-
geich, las you have said" At the sound
of his voice instant silence reigned-
But he is boy, as / have told you'
extremely difficult to handle with Nlo-
~. hot
wait upon his Majesty and place before
him the evils that require remedytng,
being prepared to answer any question
he may ask regarding the method or
their amendment. If peaceable means
fail. then try violence, say /; but II is
hardly fair to the young man TO ap-
proach him at the beginning or MS
reign with dirk in the hand. have
some friends about the CASTLE con-
tinued the laird. II supply them with
various necessaries from the farm; and,
If do say il myself, | am we'll thought
of by some in authority. i can guar
antee YOU. | am sure, a safe conduct
for your mission
"Will you Lead the delegation and be
its spokesman
mo. My power to serve you lies in
the fact that I am well thought of in
the palace. This power would be in
stantly destroyed were I known as dis
affected. / would put it on this basis:
My friend Flemming is the spokesman
of ten others who have grievances to
place before his Majesty. Therefore. as
a matter of friendship between Flem-
ming and myself, l ask safe conduct
for the eleven"
Indeed" cried the cobbler. II wish
you would leave my name out of the
affair. since no one else seems eager to
put his own forward"
Il put mine forward I'm making the
request" said Ballengeich.
There is wisdom in what the laird
says" cried one of the more moderate