The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1905-06-24

was being done Armstrong Teidteu "
him the purport Of the papers which he
had not dared to bring with him.
The names of the mobiles were insert
ed in the document from the dictat1On
of the Scot, then the kings seal was
affixed and Charles signed the parch-
ment. He seemed in feverish haste TO
get the business done with, as if every
moment lost was irreparable. When
the ink was dried and the parchment
folded Armstrong placed it in safe
keeping within his vest While thus
engaged the king said word to the
secretary, who handed him a light
rapier, then whispered to the mes
senger the single word 'kneel." The
Scot flushed to think he had been
wanting in the etiquette Of the court.
his kind heart yearning to proffer any
Difference which should be rendered
to monarch, more especially that he
was no longer in position to enforce
homage. He dropped on one knee and
bowed his head. Charles, rising, touch
ed the rapier blade lightly upon the
shoulder Of the kneeling man, saying:
"Rise, Sir William Armstrong. and
be assured that II you bring this poor
signature Of mine to Scotland, there is
no title in my gift you may not de-
mand Of me-"
Armstrong rose, awkward as school
boy, not knowing where to look or
what to say until he caught the cynical
smile of De Courcy standing at the
right hand Of the king. 81
II congratulate you, Sir William"
said the Frenchman. The sight Of the
smile aroused the new hatred against
the man which was smoldering in his
heart and he made no reply to the
greeting, but said to the king:
''Sire, the only thanks 1 can tender
you is haste to the north, and may God
make my arm as strong to defend this
signature as my heart Is true to your
majesty"
With that he turned his back upon
royalty, grievous breach In the eyes
Of courtiers, and fled
'God grant it." said the king, with a
sigh, as he sank once more in the seat
from whence he had risen.
There is no doubt of it." said De
burcy softly.
doubt Of what" asked the king.
1.-THE oath he took will sit lightly on
lis conscience. He prayed that his
Arms strength might equal his hearts
fealty. l distrust those who talk glibly
of their hearts, and his was q most
ambiguous prayer"
"Surely If ever honesty beamed from
mans face it was from Armstrong;.
The Scots are trustworthy men,"
"Some OF them, your majesty"
Uneasy suspicion came into the sunk
en- eyes Of the king as he turned them
on his chamberlain.
what do you fear, De CourcyT'
Il have been studying the man these
three days past. / accepted without
question his assurances, and threw him
off his guard. Cromwell loves an hon
est looking envoy, and from what Arm
strong said 1 am sure he saw Crom-
well no farther away than Northamp-
ton. He was very ready with his ac-
count Of his own country people, but
he told us nothing about the marvellous
luck that brought him safely through a
hostile land, which we know to our
cost is admirably patrolled."
IF you knew this man to be
traitor or an emissary of that rebel,
why did you bring him into our pres
encef"
81 could not be sure Of him, your
majesty, and there was always
chance that he was loyal and might
get through"
ITO raise my hopes like this and then
dash them to the groundw
Not SO, your majesty, if you will
pardon me. Do you place Importance
on this commission7"
THE utmost Importance. l know
Traquair, and he will raise all Scotland
for me If this commission reach him"
Then we will max siccar, as a ia
nous Scot once said.''
"Ah. De COurcy, that was said when
a treacherous murder was intended.
How will you make sure that Arm
strong is honestY
Il should trouble no more about Arm
strong, but if you will issue duplicate
of that commission l will guarantee
that it reaches the hand of Traquair.
/ am Frenchman and a subject of
the French king, 1 carry my passport
to that effect. Even If 1 am stopped
l shall resist search on the ground Of
my nationality, and Cromwell is too
greatly in awe of the power Of France
to risk its might being thrown in the
scale against him. Indeed l doubt If
/ could offer greater service to your
majesty than to be captured and ap-
peal to LOUIS
The kings face cleared.
"1ou would not stop Armstrong
them"
"Assuredly not. If his copy gets into
Cromwells hands he may slacken his
alertness and not be on the outlook
for duplicate. AS said before there
is Glance the Scot plays fair, but two
commissions In the hands of Traquair
Will do no harm, and we max siccar"
You are in the right, and your ad-