The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1905-04-06
CHAPTER XII.

CHAPTER XII.
/ gave a rapid glance around. The
lamps rays scarce illumin'd the far cor
ners; but in one of these stood great
leathern screen, and over the fireplace
near it a rack was hanging, full of
swords, pistols and walking canes. Step
ping toward it caught sight Of An
thongs sword, suspended there among
the rest (they had taken it from me on
the day of my examination); which now
took down and strapp'd at my side. l
then chose out a pistol Or two, shpp'd
them into my sash, and advanced to the
center table. Under the lamplight lay
His Majesty's letter, open:
Ny hand was stretchd out to catch it
up. when heard across the hall door
open'd, and the sound of mems voices.
They were coming toward the office.
There was scarce time to slip back, and
hide behind the screen, before the door
latch was lifted, and two men enter'd,
laughing yet.
Business, my lord-business," said
the first Ctwas Colonel Essex; II have
much to do tonight"
Sure" the other answered, II thought
we had settled it. You are to lend me a
thousand out of your garrison"
Which, on my own part, I would will
ingly do. Only beg you to consider, my
lord, that my position here hangs on
thread. The extreme men are already
against me; they talk of replacing me by
Fiennes@"
NAT Fiennes is no soldier"
"No; but he's a bigot-a stronger rec
ommendatiop. Should this plan miscar-
~, and l lose a thousand men"
Heavens alive, man! 1t cannot mis-
carry. Hark ye; there's Ruthen Of Ply
mouth will take the south road with all
his forces. A days march behind l shall
follow-along roads to northward-paral-
lei for a way, but afterward converging.
The Cornishmen are all in Bodmin. We
shall come on them with double their
number. aye, almost treble. Can you
doubt the issueY
Scarcely, with the Earl of Stamford
for general"
twill be swift and secret" he said.
''as death himself and as sure. Let
be the fact that Hopton is all at skies
and sevens since the Marquis shipped for
Wales; and at daggers drawn with Mo-
hun"
Said the Colonel slowly-"Aye the no
ton is good enough. Were l not in this
corner would not think twice. Listen
now; only this morning they forced me
to order a young mans hanging, who
might If kept alive be forced In time to
give us news of value. / dar'd not re-
fuse"
He that you caught with the kings
letter.
"Aye-a trumpery missive, dealing
with naught but summoning OF the sher-
ifs posse and the like. There is more
behind, could we but wait to get at it."
The gallows may loosen his tongue.
And how of the girl that was taken,
tooY'
Il have her in safe keeping. This
very evening shall visit her, and make
another trial to get some speech
May see the letter."
The Colonel handed it, and tinkled a
bell impatiently. At length steps were
heard in the hall, and a servant opened
the door.
Order the coach around at the bar
bican In twenty minutes from now
without fail. And say-'twill save time
the fellows to drive me to Mistress
Finch's house in St Thomas street
sharpr'
AS the man departed on his errand,
the Earl laid down His Majesty's letter.
Hang the fellow" he said. "if they
want it; the blame, II any, win be theirs.
But, in the name of heaven. Colonel,
don't fail in lending me this thousand
men! Twill finish the war out of
hand"
ID h. ~
"And I'll remember it." said the Earl.
Tomorrow at O'Clock set out"
The two men shook hands on their bar
gain and left the room. shutting the door
after them.
1 crept forth from behind the screen.
Thus far it had been all fear and trem-
bling with me; but now this was chang'd
to q kind Of painting joy. Twas not
that l had spied the prison keys hang
ing near the fireplace, nor that behind
the screen lay heap of the colonel's
riding boots, whereof a pair, ready
spurr'd, fitted me choicely well; but that
my ears tingled with news that turn'd
my escape to a matter Of public welfare
Shod in the coloneps boots, / advanced
again to the table. With sealing wax
and the governors seal, that lay handy.
| clos'd up the kings letter, and sticking
1t in my breast, caught down the bunch
Of keys and made for the door.
The hall was void. l snatch'd down a
cloak and heavy broad-brimm'd hist from
one of the pegs, and donning them.
sllpp'd back the bolts Of the heavy door.
Then stepp'd forth into the night, shut
ting the door quietly on my heels.
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