Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1904-10-08
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ARR,
~.-1- 800 -. Author Of "Jennie Baxter.
~ F,sa.riek A. Stokes Co. Journolisf." ETC.
BY
ROBERT
BA RR,
Aufhor of''Jennie Baxter.
Journalist" Etc.


showed signs Of wishing to be else
where, "No; you stay here"
"I'm feared tn man wull set fire t,
the place." whined the landlord.
"Better be feared O. the rope tina
will be round your neck If you have
lied to u.s." said the earl grimly, an(
as he spoke they heard the tramp Of
the sentinel's feet overhead.
as that you, August asked Traquail
in an ordinary tone Of voice. Gar
you hear what / say"
Perfectly, ma lord. There's very
cunnin' trap tween tn stable loft an
this, that one would ma hev foun' in 6
hurry, but the thief left it open in hi
sudden flight"
The lips of the landlord turned white
but he remained motionless, painting
like a trapped animal, for the giant
form of Armstrong stood with his back
against the door, the only exit.
every WE'LL Come down." said Ira
QUAR- quietly.
| When the sentinel returned, Traquair
babe him get a rope and tie the inn
keeper hand and foot, while the prison
er groveled for his life, his supplica-
tons meeting with no response.
"Now take him outside, Angus and
If there is any attempt Oh his part to
move, or if there is an alarm of rescue,
run him through with your pike and
retreat on u.s. AS for you, you false
knave, your life will depend on your
lying quiet for the moment and on
what you tell us hereafter"
'Am I ia be ta'en AVA, your merci-
full lordship? sobbed the man, who,
now that his life seemed in no immedi-
ate danger, turned his anxiety toward
his property. "What'll become O. tn
inn, for there's name here to tax care
o't?'
''We'll take care OF, never fear" re-
piled Traquair grimly.
The stalwart Angus dragged the man
out, and the door was once more closed.
81 think we may venture to seat our
selves again." said Traquair, suiting
the action to the word. "There's moth
ing more to be done. and pursuit is
hopeless"
All sat down with the exception Of
Armstrong, who remained standing with
his back to the door, gazing somewhat
scornfully on the conclave.
"You will pardon me, Traquair," be-
gan he, 'for you know 1 would be glad
to forward anything you had hand
in, short Of slipping my neck into
moose, but at that point draw back.
I'll not set foot on English soil now,
king or no king. Man, Traquair, 1
wonder at you! The lot of you remind
me Of a covey of cartridges holding
conference in fox's den."
"I'm not going to defend the covey Of
cartridges, Will. But, after all's said
and done, the dangers not so much
greater than it was before"
''Do you think Pm fool enough to
set face south when there is a spy gal
Looping ahead Of me with full particu-
lars of every item in my wallet? Not
me! 1t was bad enough before. as you
say; now it's impossible. That is, it is
impossible for me, for the flying man
knows all about me. No; the proper
thing to do is to meet at your castle
or some other safe place and choose a
man whose name and description are
not in the wind ahead of him."
"But I've known you to clinch with !
quite as dangerous task before"
Its not the danger, Traquair, as
much as the folly that holds me back. !
I've been in many foolish scramble
before now, as you have limited, but
earn wisdom with age" se--.~..-
"Wil! nothing change your decision"
"Nothing-n0thing in the world; not
even you can say, my lord.
Any trampling ass may break an egg,
>ut, once broken, the wisest man in the
cannot place it together again.
fonight's egg Is smashed, Fraquair."
II cannot blame you; cannot blame
'ou," said The earl deJectedly, drawing
deep sigh. Then, turning to the 9th
rs, he continued: Gentlemen, there's
10 more to be said. We must convene
gain. Would tomorrow or the day
Lfter be convenient for your
1t was agreed that the meeting should
axe place two days from that time.
,"YOu are not angry with me, Ira
Iuair?" asked Armstrong.
''Not in the least, Will. 1 appreciate
our point Of view. and were in your
lace should have reached exactly the
anne conclusion"
"Then l must beg bed from you
onight have no wish to stay in
his place, and If you are bent for
ONE. as l surmise, I'll just trot my
ag alongside O. yours" +
II was this moment going to ask you,
Or confess I'll ride the safer that
our stout arm is near"
The company left the inn together,
nd in the middle Of the road, before
ne house, they found Angus, with a
orch, standing guard over a. shapeless
undle huddled at his feet. The
undle was making faint pleadings to
he DIAN az arms. to which that war
lor was listening with stolid indiffer-
nee The murmurs ceased "a tho |