Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-01-04
CHAPTER XVII.

"HERE was some delay at
+ Warwick, and the authorities
proved reluctant to let them
proceed farther on their jour
ney. 1t was evident that the COM
had received instructions re-
garding the very pass they presented
to him for their safe conduct, because
he retired with it to the guardhouse,
where he remained for time that SEEM
ed perilously long, and even when at
still suspicious and in doubt regarding
what action he should take. 1t was
Frances who turned the scale in her
own favor and that Of her companion.
"Where did you get this passY the
commandant asked.
eat Corbiton Manor, in the county of
Durham
"Who gave it to you?"
at was given to me by General
Cromwcll's direction and written al
most in my own presence, might say,
or ut least few moments after had
been speaking with him."
"You went from Durham to Ok
ford?"
Eyes"
"And have come from Oxford here?"
Eyes,
"Did you travel through Banbury?"
1--WE stopped the night at Banbury ut
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 ut
her with interest.
when did the general give you such
instructionsW
Several days ago, at Northampton"
"You saw him at Northampton"
eyes, and saw him again this morn
ing before daybreak."
"Really. And where was thatT'
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 honored. Has the commander ut
Banbury not obeyed his generals in
structions?"
Eyes, he has," admitted the officer,
looking with admiration on the young
woman who spoke 80 straightforward
ly, "but the communication came to me
by way Of Coventry, and it was some
what vague. The messenger reached
here but scant half hour since, and
he spoke Of one person, not of two.
May ask your name?" he continued
to the man.
civilian Armstrong"
"rAat is right. My orders are to pass
William Armstrong, holding o permit
from the general, but say nothing of
lady"
"That is doubtless the messengers
mistake" said Frances confidently.
"My brother is, or was up to this morn
ing, Lieutenant Wentworth Of the par
liamentary forces in Durham. THIS
morning General Cromwell wrote out
his commission US captain, and that
brought away with me from Broughton
and sent 1t direct to Durham by my
servant. But you may detain me If
you wish. or send an escort with me
back to the general. 1t will be more
serious matter If you detain Mr.. Arm
strong. who is Scotsman and whom
the general has been at some pains to
further"
Indeed, madam, shall detain mel
tier of you. l have had disquieting
news from Birmingham. There is a
rising of some sort forward. Birming-
ham has already been smitten sore by
the kings troops, SO there is little fear
that the citizens have risen In his a
yor. but surmise that there has been
some sort of royaiist outbreak else
where in the north. Something Is
afoot. for messengers have been gal
Looping through Alcaster to the east of
us for Birmingham. You heard moth
ing of that farther south?"
mo" said Armstrong. who never
theless had shrewd suspicion where
the trouble lay. "If there is any roy
alist rising in Birmingham would
like to avoid the place. have no wish
to get among the royalists. Arc there
roads by which we can win east of
Birmingham?
The officer retired to the guardhouse
and brought out rude map of the