The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1905-03-09
CHAPTER XI.

gave a rapid glance around. The
lamps rays scarce illumin'd the far cor
ners: but In one OF these stood a great
leathern screen. and over the fireplace
near Il rack was hanging. full Of
swords, pistols aud walking canes. Step
ping toward IL l caught sight OF An
thongs sword. suspended there among
the rest (thcy had taken u from me on
the day OF my cxamination): which now
took down and strapp'd at my side.
then chose out a pistol or two, slipp'd
them into my sash. aud advanced To the
center table. Under the lamplight lay
His Majesty's letter open.
Ny hand was strcich'd out 10 catch II
up. when | heard across the hall n 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 hsve
much TO do tonight"
Sure" the other answered, II thought
we had settled H. You are to lend me
thousand ont OF your Iarrison---"
Which. on my own part. | would will
ingly do. Only beg you to consider. my
lord. that my position here hangs on
thread Tn. extreme mcn are already
against me; they talk OF replacing me by
Flennes---"
NAT Fienncs Is no soldier"
"No: but he's a bigot--a stronger rec
ommendation. Should this plan miscar-
~. and | lose thousand men"
Heavens alive, man! IL caR.soi mis-.
carry. Hark We; there's Ruthcn of Ply
mouth will take the south road with all
his forces 4 days march behind ] shall
folow--along roads 10 northwarl--paral-
lei for n way. but aftcrwnrd conycrging.
The Cornishmcn are all In Bodmin. We
shall come on them with double their
number. aye. almost treble. Can you
doubt the issueT'
Scarcely. with the Earl OF Stamford
for general"
Twill he swift aud secret" he said,
"as death himSelf-and as sure. Let
be the fact that IIopton Is all nc SiN,'>
and sevens since the Marquis shipped for
Wales: and nj dnggers drawn with Mo
hun"
Said the Colonel slowly-"Aye. the no.
tlOu IN koOd tHOukns WIN HoA W TINS
corner would not think twice. Listen
now: only this morning they forced me
TO order n young mans hanging, who
might IL kept alive he forced in time to
give us news OF value. ! dar'd not re-
fuse"
"He that you caught with the kings
letter.
"Aye-a trumpcry missivc. dealing
with naught hut summoniEg of the sher-
IFS posse and the like. There is more
behind. could we but wait TO get nj IT,"
The Eallows may loosen his tongue.
And how OF the girl that was taken,
| tooT'
II have her in safe keeping. This
very evening | shall visit her. aud make
another trial TO get some speech"
MAY ! see the letter.
Tn. Colonel handed IT.. and tinklrd n
bell impalienily. M length steps were
| heard in the hall. aud u servant opened
the door.
Order the coach around nj the bar
bican Ia twenty minutes from now
without fail. And say-'twill save time
the fellows 10 drive me Ia Mistress
Finch's house iu 81 Thomas street
sharp
A. the man departed On his crruud.
the Earl laid down Ills Majesty lcl
Hang the fcliIw." he said. Ii Oh
want Ia the blame IL any, will bc theirs.
| But. in the name 81 heaven. Colonel.
don't fail In lending me this thousand
mrn, Twill finish the war ont ~
hand
I'm do IT," ansN cred the Colonel SLOW
~.
And I'll remember IT," said the Earl.
Tomorrow at u o'clock | set out.
The two men shook hands on their har.
I, gain and left the room, shutting the door
after them.
l .rept forth from behind the screen.
Thus far Il had been oil fear and trem-
bling with me: but now this WAS chang