Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-03-23

ii am COTTeCI III my Judgment III tulS
locality"
There was moment Of silence.
"My dear SIR" nc went on presently,
"this ground is quite familiar to me.
] slept In this very chamber long ago
But that is not here nor there. Day
after tomorrow. a little before mid.
night. the ladies will be riding on the
bring them out to schooner, sup
pose--if--''
He stopped again, putting thought
fully.
"1f we could agree he went on.
Nov this would be my view of It.
You let me send q messenger for the
ladies. You would have to take them
by force somehow; but. you know.
could make 1t easy--arrange the time
and place, no house near. no soldiers.
no resistance but that of the driver,
who should not share our confidence
no danger You take them to the
boats and bring them over; but.
first"
He paused again. looking at tho
smoke-rines above his head in q
dreamy manner.
First" my chief repeated.
"Well," said he. leaning toward him
with little gesture, Ito mo the word
OF gentleman is sacred. 7 know you
are both gentlemen. ! ask for your
word of honor"
"To what effect?" the general
queried.
"That you will put us safely on Brit
ish soil within a day after the ladies
have arrived" said he.
at is irregular and a matter Of some
difficulty" said tho general. "Wh ON
would you send with such message?"
well. | should say some French
woman could do H. There must be
one here who is clever enough"
II know the very one said I, with
enthusiasm. She is as smart and cum
ming as they make them"
Very we'll said the general that
is but one step. Who IS TO capture
them and take The risk Of their own
heads?'
"D'ri and could do it alone was
my confident answer.
''Ah, WELL said his lor.lsllip. as he
rose languidly and stood with his bacl;
to the fire, II shall send them where
the coast is clear-my word for that.
Hang me if fail to protect them"
Il do not wish to question your
honor" said the general, 'or violate in
any way this atmosphere of fine co,r-
tesy; but. sir do not know YOU
Permit me to introduce myself
said the Englishman. as he ripped his
coatining and drew out folded sheet
of purple parchment. Il am Lord
Ronley, fifth earl Of Pickford. and
cousin of his most excellent majesty
the king Of England there is tht
proof"
He tossed the parchment to the
table carelessly, rtstming his chair.
Forgive me-" said he. as the gen.
eral took it. Il have little taste fol
such theatricals. Necessity is my only
excuse"
1T is enough" said the other. 81
am glad to know you. hope sometime
we shall stop fighting each other-wt
of the same race and blood. 1t is un
natural"
"Give me your hand" said the Eng
lishman. with heartier feeling than
had seen him show, as he advanced
"Amen. I say to YOU"
will you write your message Here
are ink and paper" said the general
His lordship sat down at the tabl,
and hurriedly wrote these letters:
prescott. ontario, Mo-. Il. 1913.
ITO Sir Charles Gravegh, The Wcrs
above Landsmerc. Wrentham, Fronte
mac County, Canada.
My Dear Gravoeh VIII you see tina
the baroness and her two wards. TIL
Misses de Lambert. are conveyed by m.
coach, on the evening Of the 18th inst
to that certain point on the shore pix
between Amsburv and Lakeside known a
Burnt Ridge. there to wait back in tn
timber for my messenger Tell then
they are tC be returned to their home. an
give them my very best wishes. Lam
son will drive. and let the bearer rid
with the others. Very truly yours.
"RONLEY"
TO WHOM 1T MAY CONCERN:
Mime ST Jovite. the bearer. is on ne
way to my house at Wrentham. Fronte
nae County, second concession. with
greatly favored by all who give her fur
thcrance in this journey. Respectfully
etc, RONLEY.
Colonel of King Guard
For fear of a cipher, the genera
gave tantamount terms for each lei
, ter, and his loldship rewrote them.
~ thought the name St. Jovite woul
be as good as any" he remarked.
The rendezvous was CAREFUL
mapped. The suard came, and hi
lordship rose languidly.
Zone thing more" said he. Let tn
= men so over without arms--if-f 20
will be so good
Il shall consider that" said the ger
~ eral
:. And when shall the messenge
;. start?"
within the hour, il possible" m
l.. chief answered.
,. AS they went away the general So
~ down with me for a moment, to dis
Il cuss the matter.
y CHAPTER XIII.
le Herein is the story of the adventure
n of his lordships courier. known a
II Nine. st. JOvite. on and after the nief
II of November II, 1913. in Upper Car