The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-07-26
CHAPTER XVI.

IN the paved courtyard below his
window overlooked the stable yard.
End he recognized the humble of the
hostler who had assisted him yester.
day. He lay still. half drowsed, the
mattress most alluring to him, when
suddenly he was startled wide awake
by a voice he knew.
Then turn to the left for Brough-
ton?"
Yes, sir muttered the hostler
Armstrong leaped from his bed
placed his eye at the chink in the shut.
tiers and peered down into the stable
yard. The voice had not misIed him
De Courcy, sitting on horse, was just
gathering up the reins and departing.
The Scot lost no time in pulling on his
boots, pushing aside the bed. unboltins
the door and making his way down the
stair. What did this gayly plumaged
bird of i'll omen here in the country of
the parliament when his place was be.
side the king? Was there treachery
afoot? 1t looked like it. Once out.
side he saw it was still early, with the
sun scarcely risen. He accosted the
yawning hostler.
who was that man you were direct
ing to Broughton?
Il don't know, sir"
when did he arrive?'
Last night, sir, after dark"
did he stop in this house?"
Eyes, sir. / thought he was a friend
of yours, for he knew your horse when
l was putting up his own. He asked
if you were here, and l told him you
were in the room over the yard
What Is Broughton-a hamlet?"
at is a castle, sir. Lord Says cas-
tie, about three miles from here. Gen
eral Cromwell is there now. 1t is his
headquarters in this district"
The Young man stood stock still, his
eyes gazing into vacancy. What traffic
had this kings chamberlain with Crom-
we'll? How dared ne come. within
the parliamentary lines undisguised
unless-unless- Like inspiration the
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 and
set the troops on the track Of the mes
senger. He must be off 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 a race to the Scottish
border.
'Is my horse fed"
"Yes, sir"
Get him out at once. I will arouse
the others"
He took three steps toward the inn,
then stopped as If 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 a thought over 1t. In upon
the astonished hostler he swept.
"Never mind the saddle, fellow.
Spring up behind me and show me the
road to Broughton. Up, I say. The
horse can carry a dozen like us. Here
are two gold pieces for you. Guidance
and a still tongue in your head are
what I want"
Armstrong grasped the two pistols
from the holsters, flung the hesitating
hostler upon the animals back and
leaped up in front Of him.
(Which way, which way, which
way"
straight down the street, SIR" gasp
ed the terrified man, clasping the rider
round the waist. Now to the right,
sir, and next to the left. That's it,
sir. Up the hill. All, there's your man,
jogging on ahead. leisurely enough, If
it's him you seek"
Right! Slip off; can't stopw
De Courcy, riding easily, as the man
had said, wholly unsuspicious Of pur-
suit or any reason for it, had disap-
peared into hollow when Bruce, like
a thundercloud, came over the crest
and charged down upon him with the
irresistible force Of a 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 war neigh, came
breast on, maddened with the delight
of battle, and whirled opposing horse
and rider over and over like a cart
wheel flung along the road from the
hand of a 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 a quietng 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 De
Courcy family.
you bribed thief, the rope is your
end. You'll take no scath through
honorable warfare. Disgorge"
De Courcy, vaguely wondering how
the other knew he carried it, drew from
within his torn doublet the second COM
mission signed by the king and handed
it up, with a groan, to the conqueror
As it 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-