Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-09-08

~ sec. Still, II they XIII me on the
road there, 1t IL not likely l will win
my way bnck, so both journeys are
equally vital to me-"
"You will be travelling through hos
tile country. but nevertheless will find
many to favor you, for though the land
is under the iron hand Of Cromwell he
Is far from plea sing all the people, al
though they may make quiet mouth
save n doubling head Brave as you
are, WILL it is on the smooth tongue
rather than on the sharp sword that
you must depend, for, however many
silent friends we may have along the
route. there are too many outspoken
enemies for even you 70 fight your way
through. Have you good horse"
"'The best in the world
"The pick of my stables is ut your
choice. Had You not better take a
spare animal with youT'
$40. That would be advertising the
Importance of my journey. II | can
got through at all, it must he by dawn
ering along as Il cannie drover body
anxious to buy up cattle and turn an
honest penny by selling. them to those
who want them worse than do, per
fcctly legitimate trade even during
these exciting times. They all know
the desire of humble Scotsman TO
make a little money. though the heav-
ems md kings be falling"
That's an admirable idea, and you
! know the country wcllr'
frnJ do r
way to the very gates of Oxford If
| time is not too great an object with
you
Time IS an object Armstrong, but
you Will have 90 do the best YOU can
and we shall await your return with
what patience we may. You will tao
kle the job them"
ITS Just the kind Of job like. Can
you allow me three weeks or a month
"If you're back inside of month
VIII. you1l have done what | believe
no other man in all Scotland could do
| We'll. that's settled, then
Tie earl WAS interrupted by roal
fros the sentinel outside, which caused
every man in the room to start TO his
feet, but before they could move An
gus came bursting in.
"Somcbody dropped from the hole or
the loft above the stables an WIZ at
tn tn wood afore could stop him.
"To horsc. cried TraquGir. Noun
instantly and let's after him.
Its useless. my lord" said Arm
strong quietly, the only uneXclted mar
in the group. "Yc might rs well lool
for some particular flea in all the HE
lan's. He'll have horse tied to tree
and thousand cavalry couldn't catcl
him if he knows the Willis hereabout'
"Whcrc's the landlord| Traquail
tskcd. angus, bring him in here
The sentinel left the room and speed
lily reappearcd with a covering man
evidently as panic stricken as any o.
his guests.
Have there been some straggler.
hbout toiay?" deman dcd Traquair.
mot soul, my lord, on my oath, no
n soul"
is there connection between Thu
room above and the loft over tn,
ltahc:'
40 possibility of it, my lord"
WHAT did I tell you:' said IIender
son, plucking up courage again. "Thi
turmoil is utterly without foundation.
"Dash it," cried Armstrong, with
gesture of Impotence. "Will you tax
mans word for thing you can prov
in Il moment? Get a ladder, Angus
and speel up through the hole the sp
came ont at. Take a torch, an If y
drop a lowe in the straw you'll no b
blamed for it by me. See If you ca
win your way through from the stable
to the house"
600 at once, Angus commando
Traquair; then to the landlord, VIII
showed signs Of wishing 10 be els'
= where. "No; YOU stay here
I'm feared tn man wul set fire t
= the place" whined the landlord.
e Better be feared O the rope thf
2 will be round your neck If you hay
o lied to us" said the earl grimly. an
r as he spoke they heard the tramp {
/ the sentinel's feet overhead.
y as that you. Angus?" asked Traqua
>. in an ordinary tone of voice. "Ca
5 you hear what ] sayT
l. "Perfectly, ma lord. There's a ver
s cunnin' trap tween III stable loft a
g this, that one would na hev foun' in
d hurry, but The thief left 1t open in h
S sudden fight
II The lips Of the landlord turned whit
e but he remained motionless, pantir
k like trapped animal, for the GiaI