The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1905-05-13

prisoner, he IOuuQ CIOLuW Gil
seated at the table, his head
bowed over some pages Of manuscript
on which he was busily writing. The
general did not look up for full min
ute. until he had finished the sentence
he was inditing. then he raised his
head and said quietly to the captain:
Cor
For one brief and lamentable instant
the discipline which held the captain
In its bonds relaxed, and he replied
in surprise:
"And leave him unguarded. sir?"
Cromwell said nothing, but look Of
such devilish ferocity came into his
piercing gray eyes that the captain
staggered as If he had received blow,
gasped, turned and fed. When the
commander spoke to Armstrong there
was no trace of resentment or anger
In his tones.
Twill you oblige me by closing that
door which Captain Bent has stupidity
left open? You are nearer it than L"
Armstrong with a bow did what he
his place beside the table.
81 fear must begin with an apology,
q form of speech to which l am unac-
customed You have been stopped
quite without just cause, and 1 trust
you have met with no inconvenience or
harsh trea tment in CONSEQUENCE
with neither, General Cromwell. If
! am not at fault in so addressing you.
I 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
further annoyance If you intend to
travel about the country, for will give
you pass likely to prevent such mis-
take in future. You are in the cattle
trade, am tOld?
-'Yes, general"
ut is a commendable traffic, with
which l have no desire to interfere.
You know of no reason for your arrest
ment by my stupid captain?"
Truth to tell, your honor, and l
know very good reason for it."
"Humph! And what is that?"
"Some nights since, as l was making
for the English line, stopped for re-
freshment at an inn where l had been
TO halt in fro m
my amazement, l was refused ad-
mittance by q man who stood on guard.
We had bit Of 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 were drawn, and might have
come badly out Of the encounter had it
not been that friend Of mine among
the assemblage recognized me-"
II suppose you wish to mention no
names?"
II see no objection" continued Arm
strong innocently. II take it that the
men were quite within their right in
gathering there, although 1 contended
they exceeded their right in trying to
keep me out Of a public house. My
friend was the Earl Of Traquair. These
gentlemen, finding 1 was for England.
asked me to carry a message to the
king but 1 explained that l had no
wish to interfere in matters which did
not concern me, and they parted to
meet again somewhere else. There
was a 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 l rea-
Soned it out with myself"
at is very like you are right Spies,
unfortunately, seem to be necessary
when a country is in state Of war.
Many unjustifiable acts are then COM
mitted, including the arresting of in
nocent men. But l am anxious moth
ing shall be done that will give just
cause of offense to Scotland, a God
fearing country and friendly. When
such injustice happens, as it has hap
pened in your case. l try to make
amend. How far south do you propose
to travel?'
Il may go the length of Manchester
or Birmingham. The distance and the
time will depend on the state of trade"
IF you will tell me places you intend
to visit l will include them in the pass
shall now write for you
THAT l cannot say just at the mo
ment I wish to follow trade wher.
ever 1t leads me-"
Then an inclusive pass, extending
rs far south as Manchester, will NEE,
your needs?
1T will more than meet them. gen.
eral," said Armstrong, with supreme
Indifference
"As you carry no message from Ira
QUAR- to the king can write Oxford on
your permit as easily as Manchester"
Thank you, general; but Manches.
ter will be far enough"
Il may say that we are strict about
those whom we allow to journey to
and fro at the present time, and If you
should overstep the limit Of this docu.