Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1908-08-15
CHAPTER XIX.


come upon him at last, and that l was
Its instrument. / saw the pallor or a
great fear creep into his dark cheek
and read in his eyes the vicious pas
sion of a wild beast trapped and felt
no pity. Master Clarence" ] said and
laughed-laughed mockingly. You do
not look pleased to see your friends,
or perhaps you do not remember me.
Stand forward, Master BERTHE. May be
he will recognize you"
But though Master BERTHE came for
ward and stood by my side, gazing
at him, the villains eyes did not for
an instant shift from mine. 1T is the
mani my companion said after a
solemn pause, for the other, breath
Ing fast, made no answer. He was
spy in the pay Of Bishop Gardiner,
when l knew him. At the bishops
ieath / heard that he passed into the
service of the Spanish ambassador, the
Count de Feria. He called himself at
that time Clarence. ! recognize him.
The quiet words had their effect.
From full one half of the savage
crew round us a fierce murmur rose
more terrible than any loud outcry, yet
this seemed a relief to the doomed
man. He forced himself to look away
from me and to confront the dark
ring OF menacing faces which hemmed
him in. The moment he did so he
appeared to find courage and words.
They take me for another mani" he
cried In hoarse accents. Il know moth
ng OF them!" and he added a fearful
oath. He knows me. Ask him."
He pointed to Walter Kingston,
who was sitting moodily on a tram
outside the ring, and who alone had
| not risen under the excitement Of my
challenge. On being thus appealed to
he looked up suddenly. If / am to
| choose between you," he said bitterly
'and say which is the true man, /
know which l shall pick"
"Which?" Clarence murmured.
(which? ?" This time his tone was diff
ferent. In his voice was the ring of
hope.
Il should give my vote for you"
Kingston replied looking contemptous-
| ly at him. Il know something about
you, but of the other gentleman l
know nothing"
And not much of the person you
call Crewdson," / retorted fiercely,
since you do not know his real name"
Il know this much" the young
man answered, tapping his boot with
his scabbard with studied carelessness,
that he lent me some money and
seemed good fellow and one that
hated a mass priest. That is enough
for me. AS for his name. IT is his
fancy perhaps. You call yourself Carey.
but / do not know you, nor ever
heard OF you"
/ swung round on him with a hot
cheek. But challenge which was upon
my tongue was anticipated by Mas
ter Bertie, who drew me forcibly back.
Leave this to me, Francis" he said,
"and do you watch that man. Mas
ter Kingston and gentlemen" he con-
tinued, turning again to them and
drawing himself to his full height as
he addressed them, listen If you please.
You know me, II you do not know my
! friend. The honor of Richard BERTHE
has never been challenged until to-
night, nor ever will be with impunity,
| Leave my friend out of the question
and put me in It. I, Richard BERTHE,
say that that man is q paid spy and
! informer come here in quest of blood
| money, and he, Crewdson, a nameless
man, says that | lie. Choose between
us, or look at him and Judge. Lookl"
He was right to bid them look. As
the savage murmur rose again and
! took from the wretChed man his last
hope, as the ugliness of despair and
wicked. impotent passion distorted his
! face, he was indeed the most deadly
witness against himself
The lights which shone on treach-
erous weapons half hidden or on the
glittering eyes of cruel men whose
! Was IOuSeu lell on nOtnlnR SO
dangerous as the livid, despairing face
which, unmasked and eyed by all with
aversion, still defled us. Traitor and
spy as he was, he had the merit OF
courage at least. He would die game
And even as I, with first feeling OF
pity for him, discerned this, his sword
was out, and with curse he lunged
at me.
Penruddocke saved me by a bullet
! ins
wall, so that the villains thrust was
spent on air. Before he could repeat
1t four or five men flung themselves
upon him from behind. For q moment
there was great uproar, while the
group surrounding him swayed to and
fro as he dragged his captors UP ant
down with a strength / should moi
have expected. But the end was Ger.
tain, and we stood looking on quietly
In minute or two they had him down
and disarming him bound his hands.
For me he seemed to have a specia
hatred. Curse you," he painted, glar.
Ing at me as he lay helpless. "Yor
have been my evil angel From thu
first day l saw you you have thwartec
me In every plan, and now you hav,
brought me to this!"
Not I, but yourself" l answered.
MY curse upon youl" he cried again
the rage and hate in his face so ter,
rible that 1 turned away shudderins
and sick at heart. IF could hav,
killed you," he cried. Il would hav,
died contented."
briskly. TT is we'll for us that Maste,
BERTHE and his friend came here to-
night Heaven grant 1t be not too
latol We do not need" he added, look,
Ing round. ANY more evidence,
Think"
The dissent was loud. and, save fo
Kingston, who still sat sullxing apart
UNANIMOUS.
"Death?" said the Cornishmar
quietly.
No one spoke, but each man gave
brief. stern nod.
Very WELL" the leader continued
then l propose
"One moment" said Master Berthe
intcrrupting him. "a word with yol
apart, with our friends permission
You can repeat it to them afterward
He drew Sir Thomas aside and the,
retired into the corner by the door
whero they stood talking in whispers
| had small reason TO feel sympath,
for the man who lay there tied an,
doomed to die like a calf Yet even
shuddered-yes, and some of tn
hardened men round me shuddered al
so at the awful expression In his eye
rs, without moving his head, he fol
lowed the motions of the two by tn
door. Some faint hope springing int
being rung his soul and brought tn
Precipitation in great drops to his fore
head. / turned away, thinking gravel
OF the early morning three years ag
when he had tortured me by the YER
same hopes and fears which nov
racked his own spirit.
Penruddocke came back, Maste
Bertle following him.
1T must not be done tonight" he an
nounced quietly, with a nod whic
meant that he would explain the rea
son afterward. I'VE will meet agai
tomorrow at 4 in the afternoon, In
stead OF at in the evening. Unit
then two must remain on guard wit
him. 1t is right he should have som
lima To rAnanf md ha ahnl hnNA Ii -