Free press., 1907-01-12

FOOTED and spurred. and garbed as a
- way in the winking starlight. With
the old hunting-crop in one hand, and the
the soft night gloom to the ground: it was
a moment of hesitation. Then Tom flung
up his head and neighed his plaint against
the fortune which had thrust him from his
warm stable in midnight hours to the iabors
swift alarms, and the hesitation fed; in a
trice she had lightly leaped to the saddle.
and Tom sped through the darkened village
behind which the good folk snored the sleep
of the weary. But Toms feet made ter
enough when they came to the miry high
way beyond, where his hoof-beats became
rhythmic thuds.. Onward for three miles
without pause, then suddenly Tom was bid
den be wary, and guided to the grass at
now, being an animal of intelligence and
knowing the hand upon the rein perfectly.
Afar on the air came the beat Of other
Tom came to a standstin obediently, and
stood with never so much as paving of
the ground The hoof-beats drew nearer
and nearer; then dimly a figure loomed
in the feeble starlight The hand upon
felt himself hurled forward, to intercept the
progress of the approaching cavalier.
The newly arrived horse SHE'D, and would
have skirted about Toms nose. and ESCAPED:
peatly e T prevented the nervous movement haV-
ing its Set. effeet. &c;
Tom shifted the air; his mistress voice
in those threatening tones rather puzzled
him.
Having steadied his horse somewhat. the
newcomer spoke for the first time. What
! SHis IOrdship's private letter-bag.''
! what lordship?" was the next question:
Don't handy words. my fine fellow
Pardon me. 1 have no Bag was the re-
instantly the others arm was raised, and
there was faint outline OF cooked plss:
Quoth she. Now then, my man, the bag,
"f protest you are mistaken in your
man, friend. am but a belated traveller,
and one but poorly equipped for gentlemen
of your profession to attack. haven't the
Gods my witness, I've been robbed al
ready, and but escaped with my life and my
5ogss ROgss. Your 'onfFeFes have been before
"Bah! A pretty tale. but one you'll not
persuade into believing. Out with the
bag from under yon cloak J!
"How shall I give up what do not pos
sGive up what you are carrying: you are
but servant. and need fear nothing if you
do my bidding.
The other did not answer at once; then
81 Judge by your voice that you are but a
slim slip of a boy to be engaged in this
unworthy pursuit"
'"Tis your hasty judgment that calls it
unworthy" was the retort. Look you now.
I'll be honest with you. I have no desire
to hurt you, and if you give up what
seeking you may go your way unharmed
otherwise" and the arm went up again
with the cooked pistol in the hand.
''Well having admitted that am un-
armed, you certainly have the best of it."
said the other. But I repeat, have moth
ing. to give up. if 'twere King George him
self asking me-" Ia
ST do not want to conf1scate the bag, but
only to extract from it certain document
it contains I will then destroy -thets same,
and my business will be concluded.
Again the stranger hesitated ere speak,
ing and leaned little towards his neighbor.
seasoned rogue yet" he said s"yourf meth
DDS are-well, scarce peremptory enough.
'tOh, can be peremptory enough,I warn
you" was the quick response. 81 but give
you the chance of settling my demand with
out unnecessary dispute"
'And If I can't. or won't?"
''I have already shown you that am
HIN! And you want certain bag, and
out of that bag certain dOcument?"
Certainly"
the particular one you seek in the dark
ssNo trouble about that" came the swift
reply. al have a lantern and tinder box
among my equipment
''I see you are prepared for all contin-
ready the light while loosen the buckles
and break the seal?'
No sooner suggested that she dismounted
and began to unfasten the lantern from the
you seem to have slim figure and a
light one, friend" remarked, the other,
Judging by the airiness of your flight from
Trwk sErau fdoO