Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-04
THE WHITE COMPANY
BY A. CONAN DOYLE.

;sssssssstss
can give. You on the left. Howett, and
Thomas of Redbridge upon the right. Sol
Beat high and low among the heather. and
a pot of wine to the lucky marksman."
AS ii CHANGED. however, the searchers
had not far to seek. The negro had bur-
rowed down into his hiding place upon the
barrow. where he might have lain snug
enough had 1t not been for the red gear
upon his head. AS he raised himself to look
over the bracken at his enemies. the star
Ing color caught the eye of the bailif. who
broke into long screeching whoop and
spurred forward sword In hand. Seeing
himself discovered, the man rushed out
from ms hiding place, and bounded at the
top OF his speed down the line of archers.
Keeping good hundred PAGES 70 the front
OF them. The two who were either side
of Alleyne bent their bows as calmly as
thoueh they were shooting at the popinjay
at the village fair
Seven yards windage. Hail." said one,
whose hair was streaked with gray.
rive, replied the other. letting loose
his string. Alleyne gave a gulp in his
throat, for the yellow streak seemed to
pass through the man; but he still ran for
ward.
first speaker. and his bow twanged
like harp string. The black man
sprung high up into the air. and shot
out both his arms and his legs. COM
ing down all a-sprawl among the heather.
Right under the blade boner quoth the
archer, sauntering forward for his arrow.
The old hound is the best when all is
said auoth the haiiiff of Southampton. as
they made back for the roadway. That
means quart of the best Malmsey in
Southampton this very night. Matthew At
wood. Art sure that he is dead?
Dead as Pontius PLATE. worshipful SIR"
TT is well. Now, as to the other knave.
There are trees and to spare over yonder,
but We have scarce leisure to make for
them Draw thy sword. Thomas of Red
bridge. and hew me his head from his
shoulders"
"A boon, gracious sir. a boonr' cried the
condemned man.
What Them" asked the bail!n
II viii confess to my crime. 1t was in
deed l and the black cook both from the
ship La Rose de Gloire.' of Southampton
who did set upon the Flanders merchant
and rob him of his spicery and his mer-
Gerry. for which, we well know, you hold
a warrant against u.s."
There Is little merit in this confession"
quoth the baiih, sternly. Thou hast done
evil within my bailiwick. and must die"
But, SIR urged Alleyne. who was white
to the lips at these bloody doings. The hath
not yet come to trail
Young clerk said the baiIr, you
speak of that of which you know nothing
1t is true that he hath not come to trial.
but the trial hath come TO him. He hath
fled the law. and is beyond its pale. Touch
not that which IS no concern of thine. But
what is this boon, rogue. which you would
crave?"
II have in my shoe. most worshipfuI sir
bark wherein the blessed Paul was dashed
up against the island of Melta- I bought
it for two rose mobiles from shipnan who
came from the Ievant The boon l crave Is
that you will place it in my hands and let
me die still grasping 1t. In this manner,
not only shall my own eternal salvation be
secured, but thine also. for I shall never
cease to intercede for thee
At the command of the bailif they pluck
ed off the fellows shoe, and there. sure
enough. at the side of the instep. wrapped
", min nP Gr,n toll lou J,-fr
splinter of wood. The archers DOTTED caps
at the sight of 1t, and the bailir crossed
himself devoutly as he handed 1t to the
robber.
"If 1t should chance" he said, that
through the surprising merits of the
blessed Paul your sin-stained soul should
gain way into paradise. l trust that you
viii not forget that fnterceSSion which you
have promised. Bear in mind, too. that it
is Herward the bailiff for whom you pray.
and not Herward the sheriff, who is my
urcle's son. Now, Thomas, I pray you dis
patch, for we have long ride before US,
and has already set
Alleyne gazed upon the scene-the portly.
velvet-clad official, the knot of hard-faced
archers with their hands to the brides Of
their horses the thief with his arms trussed
back and his doublet turned down upon his
shoulders. By the side of the track the
old dame standing, fastening her red
wEimple once more round her head. Even
as he looked, one of the archers drew his
sword with a sharp whir of steel, and
stepped up to the lost man. The clerk
hurried away in horror; but, ere he had
gone many PAGES, he heard sudden, sullen
thump, with choking, whistling sound at
the end of it minute later the bailin
and four of his rode past him their
journey back to Southampton. the other
two having been chosen as grave diggers.
AS they passed, Alleyne saw that one of
the was wiping his sword-blade upon
the name of his horse A deadly sickness
came over him at the sight and sitting
down by the wayside, he burst out weeping.
with his nerves all in jangle. 1t was q
terrible world thought he, and 1t was hard
to know which were the most to be dread
ed, the knaves or the men of the law.
(To be continued tomorrow