Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1904-11-23
ute, until he had finished the sentence
he was inditing, then he raised his
head and said quietly to the captain:

commander spoke to Armstrong there
was no trace of resentment or anger
in bis tones.
"Will you oblige me by closing that
door which Captain Bent has stupidity
left open? You are nearer it than l."
Armstrong with bow did what he
was requested to do and returned to
his place beside the table.
II fear must begin with an apology,
form Of speech to which am unac-
customed. You have been stopped
quite without just cause, and 1 trust
you have met with no inconvenience or
harsh treatment in consequence"
with neither, General Cromwell, II
am not at fault in so addressing you.
suspect that there are not two such
men as you in the army of the parlia-
ment."
Cromwell paid no heed to the compli-
| ment, if such was intended, but, al
though his voice was suave, his keen
eye searched the prisoner like an east
wind.
1.-THE stoppage may indeed save you
AuL khSA uhlOyuuCS IL yOu "
travel about the country, for will give
you a pass likely to prevent such a mis-
take in future. You are in the cattle
trade, l am told?"
Eyes, general"
at is commendable traffic, with
which l have no desire to interfere.
You know of no reason for your arrest
| L, ;,g
"Truth to tell, your honor, and l
know very good reason for it."
"Humph! And what is that?"
"Some nights since, MS was making
for the English line, l stopped for re-
freshment at an inn where had been
accustomed to halt in my travels. To
my amazement, l was refused nd
mittance by n man who stood on guard.
We had n bit of a debate, which ended
in my overpowering him and forcing an
entrance, and which was more sur
prised-the dozen there gathered to-
gether, or me, with their sentry under
my oxter-it would be difficult to tell.
Swords We're drawn, and might have
come badly out of the encounter had it
not been that friend of mine among
the assemblage recognized me-"
~ suppose you wish to mention no
names?"
II see no objection" continued Arm
strong innocently. II take it that the
men We're quite within their right in
gathering there, although l contended
they exceeded their right in trying to
keep me out of public house. My
friend was the Earl of Traquair. These
gentlemen, finding l was for England,
asked me to carry n message to the
king, but explained that had NO
wish to interfere in matters which did
not concern me, and they parted to
meet again somewhere else. There
was great splore about spy that es
capped, and l have no doubt if he saw
me there and heard the proposal made
to me he might well have brought my
name and description across the Dor
der. At least that was the way rea
{ soned it out with myself
sit is very like you are right. Spies
0 unfortunately, seem to be neccssal.
: when country is in Il state of war
Many unjustiiial & d; So t,!cn com
I mitted, including the urre.!tin., of in
g nocent men. But l am anxious moth
8 ing shall be done that will give jus
v cause of offense to Scotland, Go,
i fearing country and n friendly. Wlel
such injustice happens, rs it has hap
pened in your case, ! try to max
amend. How far south do you propos
to travel?"
e 81 may go the length of Mancheste
g or Birmingham. The distance and til
time will depend on the state of trade.
n "If you will tell me places you inten
e to visit will include them in the pas
shall now write for YOU"
"That cannot say just Mt the me
G ment. l wish to follow trade whel
). ever it leads me-"
d "Then an inclusive pass. ex.endin
It as far south us Manchester, will me,
your needsr'
r ut will more than meet them, gel
r eral," said Armstrong. with supren
Indifference.
"As you carry no message from TT
QUAR- to the king can write Oxford {
your permit as easily rs Manchester"
,r "Thank you, general; but Manche
g ter will be far enough"
II may say that we are strict abo,
ID those whom we allow to journey
and fro at the present time, and if "
n should Overstep the limit of this doc
Is ment you are liable to investigate
and delay, and may not be SO near
G. hand on the next OCCASION"
II quite understand, and II wisht
t. to 60 farther soutl would have !
hesitation in begging permission
in your excellency, but doubt if shs
even see Manchester"
"You will not be leaving Corblt,
le until the morning, of course"
I mo, general. know when l q
le well housed
n, "Then, as l have much to do, w
make out your paper later, and it W
d. be handed to you In the morning."
ID 'srhank you general"
< After giving some laconlc instru
tons touching the welfare Of the mort
~ erner to Captain Bent, who was hove
NJ ing uneasuy in the outside hall, CroI
well, bidding his enforced guest
mr. cordial farewell. ordered Wentwor
to be brought to him and retired on
more into the dim council chamber.
With hands clasped behind him al
re head bent. he strobe slowly up al
NJ down the long room in deep mcdit
!, ton, vanishing into the gloom at Il
4. farther end and reappearirg in II
limited circle Of light that surround,
!. the two candles. for the torches Ii:
long since smoked themselves out, III
F" there had been no replacement Of theI
none daring to enter that room lulsul
nloned while the leader was with
:. 1t. Tho watcher in the gallery fe
4 rather than saw that there was 4
ominous frown ON the lowered face
ie the commander waited for the secol
10 prisoner, over whom hung sentence
ed death.