The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1905-07-08

whole situation flashed upon him. De
Courcy knew the burden he carried
and had seen where it was placed. He
was on his way to sell his secret ana
set the troops on the track Of the mes
senger. He must be of at once and
outride the traitor Before De Courcy
had gone his three miles he would
have traversed a dozen, and from then
on it would be race to the Scottish
border.
''Is my horse fedw
Eyes, SIR"
"Get him out at once. I will arouse
the others"
He took three steps toward the inn.
then stopped as II shot. his hand clutch
ing his breast. ~
by heavens, he's got the thing It.
self! Robbed, as I'm a sinner"
Now the disturbance in the night
stood out clear in his memory, but he
wasted not thought over it. In upon
the astonished hostler he swept.
Never mind the saddle. fellow.
Spring up behind me and show me the
road to Broughton. Up, say. The
horse can carry a dozen like US. Here
are two gold pieces for you. Guidance
and q still tongue In your head are
what I want"
Armstrong grasped the two pistols
from the holsters, flung the hesitattng
hostler upon the animals back and
leaned nm in front of him
(which way. which way, which
way?"
straight down the street, STR" gasp
ed the terrified man, clasping the rider
round the waist. Nov to the right,
sir, and next to the left. That's 1t,
sir. Up the hill. All, there's your man,
jogging on ahead. leisurely enough, II
it's him you seek"
Right! Slip of; can't stopv
De Courcy, riding easily. as the man
had said, wholly unsuspicious Of pur-
suit or any reason for It, had disap-
peared into a hollow when Bruce. like
a thundercloud, came over the crest
and charged down upon him with the
irresistible force Of troop Of dra-
goons. The Frenchman, hearing too
late the rumble Of the hoofs, partly
turned his horse across the road, the
worst movement he could have made,
for Bruce, with a war neigh, came
breast on, maddened with the delight
Of battle, and whirled opposing horse
and rider over and over like cart
wheel flung along the road from the
hand of smith.
De Courcy lay partly stunned at the
roadside, while his frightened steed
staggered to its feet, leaped the hedge,
with a scream of fear, and scampered
across the field to its farthest ex-
tremity. Armstrong swung himself to
the ground with quieting word to
Bruce, who stood still. painting and
watching every movement Of his mas
ter. A pistol in each hand, Armstrong
strobe over to his victim.
you halter dog. traitor and scullion.
give me the kings commission"
''Sir, you have killed me-" moaned Dc
Courcy family.
"You bribed thief, the rope is your
end. You'll take no scath through
honorable warfare. Disgorger'
De Courcy, vaguely wondering how
the other knew he carried 1t, drew from
within his torn doublet the second CON-
mission signed by the king and handed
1t up, with a groan, to the conQueror.
AS 1t was an exact duplicate Of the
one he had lost. even to the silken cord.
the honest Scot had not the slightest
doubt he had come by his own again.
and the prone man was equally con-
WINGED that some one had betrayed to
Armstrong his secret mission. yet for
the life Of him could not guess how
this were possible. The young man
placed the document where it's pred
ecessor had been, then said to his
victim:
Had rope and hangman with
me you would end your life on yonder
tree. When first learned your char
acter you were in some danger from
my sword; a moment since you stood
in jeopardy from my pistols. Beware
our third meeting, for If you cross my
path again will strangle you with
my naked hands II need be-"
De Courcy made no reply He real
lied that this was not time for con-
troversy. A standing man we'll armed
has manifest advantages over an en-
envy bruised and on the ground, and
some thought Of this came to the mind
Of the generous victor now that his
anger was cooling. So, whistling to
his horse, he sprang on his back and
rode to Banbury at slower pace than
he had traversed the same highway
some minutes before.
Rub down my horse we'll while l
am ut breakfast" said Armstrong to
the hostler, and. receiving every as
surance that the beast should get ear
nest attention. he went to the inn and
there found Frances awaiting him.
"Ah. my girl" he cried, you have
not slept well. can see that at once.
This will not do, never do at all. But
you are certainly looking better this
morning than you did last night. Is
that not sol"
"You are looking very WELL" she said,
avoiding his question.