Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1904-12-10
CHAPTER XVII.
Warwick, and the authorities
proved reluctant to let them

ney. It was evident that the com
lnandant had received instructions re
4issarding the very pass they presented
to him for their safe conduct. becaus,
lie retired with it to the guardhouse
where he remained for a time that seem
ed perilousiy long, and even when a
last he came out with it he was plainly
still suspicious and in doubt regarding
what action he should take. 1t was
Frances who turned the scale in he
own favor and that Of her companion
where did you get this pass?' the
--cemmandant asked.
''At Corbiton Manor, in the county OF
Durham
~Who gave it to your
at was given to me by General
CromwelPs direction and written al
most in my own presence. 1 might say
1sT at least few moments after I had
1seen speaking with him."
"You went from Durham to Ok
ee:EEord?''
"1es."
land have come from Oxford here?"
:"Yes."
aDid you travel through Banbury?"
we stopped the night at Banbury at
The Banbury Arms"
stopping there by the direction Of
General Cromwell himself" put in the
girl. much to the surprise of William
Armstrong. The officer looked up at
her with interest.
"When did the general give you such
instructions?''
Several days ago, at Northampton"
-You saw him at Northampton"
Eyes, and saw him again this morn
Ing before daybreak."
"Really. And where was that?"
Eat Broughton castle, three miles
west of Banbury. In my presence he
told his aid to ride to Banbury and
send word north that this pass was to
be fonored Has the commander at
Banbury not obeyed his generals in
Structions?"
Eyes, he has, admitted the officer,
looking with admiration on the young
woman who spoke so straightforward
~. tbut the communication came to me
what vague. The messenger reached
here but scant half hour since, and
he spoke of one person, not of two.
May I ask your name?" he continued
10 the man.
~'William Armstrong"
HThat Is right. My orders are to pass
William Armstrong, holding a permit
bod 80
lady.''
sThat is doubtless the messengers
mistake" said Frances confidently.
MY brother is, or was up to this morn
Ing. Lieutenant Wentworth Of the par
Hamentary forces in Durham. This
morning General Cromwell wrote out
his commission as captain, and that
brought away with me from Broughton
and sent it direct to Durham by my
servant But you may detain me if
you wish, or send an escort with me
back to the general. It will be more
serious matter if you detain Mr.. Arm
strong, who is a Scotsman and whom
further
Indeed, madam, l shall detain nei-
iher of you. 1 have had disquieting
NEWS from Birmingham. There is a
rising of some sort forward. Birming /
ham has already been smitten sore by i
the kings troops, SO there is little fear !
that the citizens have risen in his ia !
Hor, but surmise that there has been
come sort of royalist outbreak else
where in the north. Something is
Hfoot. for messengers have been gal
loping through Alcaster to the east Of
lib for Birmingham. You heard moth .
hg of that farther south?'
"No." said Armstrong. who never
theless had shrewd suspicion where
the trouble lay. eff there is any roy
aaist rising in Birmingham I would
IKE to avoid the place. have no wish
b get among the royalists. Are there
roads by which we can win east Of
Birmingham"
The officer retired to the guardhouse
and brought out a rude map of the
district, which he gave to Armstrong
after explaining it. He sent soldier
to set them on the right way when they
had left the village When the soldier
had departed and the two were once
more alone Armstrong turned in his
saddle and looked back at the frown
ing towers Of Warwick castle. looming
mp through the trees, very suggestive
~ prison.
They lunched on bread and chess
ut wayside HIT. and once, when they
neached the top of hill, they saw
8hat they took to be Birmingham
aWay to the west The byroads they
Dere traversing proved to be desert
ID. and they resolved to keep to them
nafher than seek the main highway, for
they considered that their compara-
tive slowness would be more than COM
pensated for by greater safety This
course soon proved Of. doubtful wis
Aom. Without guide the intricate
lanes were puzzling and often came
10 an end without any apparent rea-
son. When they took to the fields the