The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1908-08-14
- THE -
Francis C1udde
ARomance Of Queen Mary's Reign.
BY STANLEY j. EYMAN
By STANLEY ]. WEYMAN.

racked his own spirit.
P~enruddoclse came back, Master
Berthe following him.
1T must not be done tonight he an
nounced quietly, with a nod which
meant that he would explain the rea-
son afterward. I'VE will meet again
! tomorrow at 4 In the afternoon, in
stead of at 8 in the evening. Until
then two must remain on guard with
him. 1t is right he should AVE some
time to repent. and he shall have It,"
This did not at once find favor.
Why not run him through now?"
said II bluntly, "and meet tomorrow
at some place unknown to him? II we
come here again, we shall, likely
enough, walk straight into the trap"
We'll, have 1T that way, If you
please" answered Sir Thomas. shrug-
ging his shoulder. But do not blame
me afterward II you find we have let
slip a golden opportunity. Be fools If
you like. I dare say 1t will not make
much difference in the end!"
He spoke at random, but he knew
how to deal with his crew, 1t seemed,
for on this those who had objected as
sented reluctantly to the course ne
proposed. Barnes and Walters are
the two to guard him" he continued.
There Is no fear that they will be
inclined to let him got" looked at
the men whom the glances of their
fellows singled out and found them
to belong to the little knot of fanatics
had before remarked-dark. stern
men, worth, II the matter ever came
to fighting. all the rest of the band put
together.
"At 4. tomorrow. then. we meet
Sir Thomas concluded lightly. "Then
we will deal with him, never fear! Now
1t is near midnight, and we must be go
Ing, but not all together. or we shall
attract attention"
Half an hour later Master BERTHE
and l rode softly out of the courtyard
and turned u faces toward the city.
The night wind came sweeping across
the valley OF the Thames and met US
full in h face as we reached the
brow OF the hill. 1t seemed laden with
melancholy whispers. The wretched
enterprise, i'll conceived, i'll ordered,
and in its very nature desperate, to
which we were in honor committed.
degree Of foreboding. But the scene
through which we had just passed, and
on my part the knowledge tina I had
given up a fellow being to death, had
their depressing influences. For some
distance we rode in silence, which 1
was the first to break.
Why did you put off his punish
ment?" I asked.
Because I think he will give us in
formation In the interval" BERTHE an
oWCACA OL1Clly. information winch
may help us. A spy is generally ready
to betray his own side upon OCCASION
And you will spare him II HI does? }"
I asked. It seemed to me neither
Justice nor mercy.
NO" he said, there is no fear OF
that. Thos who go with p round
drowning men will catch at straws, and
ten to one he will babble."
shivered. 1T is bad business"
said.
He thought I referred to the con-
against 1t. reproaching himself for
bringing me into 1t and for his folly
In believing the rosy accounts Of men
who had all to win and nothing save
their worthless lives to lose. There is
only one thing gained" he said. I'VE
we may think the more Of 1t. We have
been the means Of Furnishing a villain
yes" I said, that Is true. It was
a strange meeting n a strange rec
ognition. Strangest Of all thai I should
be called up to swear with him."
Not strange" Master BERTHE IN
swered gravely. II would rather cal
1t p~rovidential. Let us think Of that
and be of better courage. friend. We
have been used; we shall not be cast
away before our time"
/ looked back. For some minutes
had thought I heard behind us a light
footstep more like the pattering Of a
dog than anything else. I could see
nothing. but that was not wonderful
for the moon was young and the sky
lowing us?" I said.
Master BERTHE drew rein suddenly, and
turning in the saddle we listened. Fo,
n second I thought I still heard the
sound. The next 1t ceased and onl,
the wind toying with the November
leaves and signing away in the distance
came to u ears. No. he said, 81
think 1t have been your fancy.
hear nothing"
/ But when we rode on the sound be.
) gan again, though at first more family
t as II our follower had learned prudence
but listen!' I said softly. Cannot yor
hear the pattering Of a naked FOO
now?"
II hear something" he answered. .1
am nfrald Q are right and that we
What is to be done?" I said. m,
, thoughts busy.
. There is caen wood in 'front.'. he an.
swered. with a little open ground or
this side OF It. We will ride under the
> we shall be able to distinguish him a,
he crosses the open behind U.S." we
made the experiment. but as IL our fol.
lower a OWNED the plan his footster
ceased 10 SOund DefOre We had stopped
our horses. He had fallen farther be.
, hind. W. might ride quickly G
) I suggested. land surprise him."
1T would be useless" BERTHE an.
g swered. There is too much cove,
close to the road. Let US rather tro'
on and outstrip him."
) We did trot on. and what with thu
tramp OF our horses as they swuns
along the road and the sharp passage
Of the wind by our ears we heard nc
r more OF the footstep behind. But wher
We presently pulled up to breathe oul
horses-or rather within a few minutes
OF our doing so-there 1t was behind u.
nearer and louder than before. 1 shiv
cred as I listened, and presently. actins
on a sudden impulse. I wheeled my
horse round and spurred him back 6
dozen PAGES along the road.
I pulled up.
i There was a movement in the shadow
!. OF the trees on my right. and I Leaned
y forward. peering in that direction
Gradually I made out the lines Of a
!, figure standing still. as though gazinr
at me-a strange. distorted fgure
Y crooked. short and in some way, though
1 no linearnent OF the face was visible
I expressive of a strange and weirc
Q malevolence. 1t was the witch! Thu
:. witch U9h4ro r L>S - ~