Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-17
The Lady in the Coach
Cokt:naea from Z age 8

Till this hour tomorrow night says Dan,
seeming to consider
Thereupon jumped to my feet. III take
vcur' saws l. And now for another glass
Creech stared at me for a moment in stupid
wonder and then solemnly reached out his
hand, which took. Filling glass, nodded
at the three and gave them toast. Here 5
success to me, lads, ! says.
But at that Creech turned black. and, spill
ing the wine he was drinking. looked at me
sAvagelv. Damn YOU" he said, keep your
toasts to yourself, and get you gone, or Tom
GU, there will have leave to third you with
bullets
But having made my point | was in no
humor to be offended at the surly hunks. and
so tossed off the wine very leisurely Good
Danny" | said. there's sense IN your tlpsv
BRAN vet Best go to bed and nurse 1t, tor
You'll need all your wits tonight.
PUT Creech who had now fallen into dark
- mood. made answer. merely mutterlng
to himself and with a nod was gone. But,
Lord the adventure was ready to my hands,
for to cheat three such clumsy Sots was no
difficult task for me. scarce gave II a thought
until coming upon Tom in the yard atore the
barn. sudden notion took my fancy, and
came to a stop beside HIM.
All, Tom says /, shaking my head, lis
a raw night for to gnaw the vltas out OF
hedgehog, and you with no drink. I've
mind to spare you.
What We mean says he, without a
picion.
When is your time up ! asked, paving
him no heed.
AT midnight says he, cursing little to
himself
Tom" saws l, you're friendly fellow,
you are, and / have taken compassion on
poor devil as can neither eat nor drink his
belly full And with that, and ere he was
aware. | had my hands upon his throat The
sudden action took him by surprise, and
though he struggled l forced him presently
upon his knees Why" says ! pleasantly,
sure, told you ! was upon the Kings
service. Tom. engaged by his sacred Majesty
for to get rid of rascals like yourself But
then, getting his breath, he opened his mouth
to cry for help, only on the instant | slipped
a splinter of wood atween his teeth. So
there was he soon bitted and bound safe
enough.
Now these transactions fell, and with little
NOISE in the shadow of the barn, where 1t
forth to the margin of the wood, and no
sooner was Tom secured than there was the
Use OF some one opening the door, and
Creech's footsteps sounded in the yard. In
an instant / slipped Toms cloak about me,
and all muff1ed to my nose, withdrew a pace
into the darkness at the same time letting
the point of my sword fall on the cullys
chest reckon that he knew well enough
what was enjoined on him, for he never stirred;
but little anxious about treech lest,
even in his state, he should recognize my
voice. He stopped at the corner and called
Tom, to the which ! made surly reply.
sulkv2 Well, if twill warm you, you'd best
put a bullet through t1allopng Dick. Dye
hear, We have little game atween and
if he gets by you We shall answer for 1t -
! burst trust myself to nothing but num-
Die by way of answer; but 1t suited Creech.
who staggered off to the barn again; and
then, getting Tom in my arms, ! dragged the
body into copplce, and presently resumed
my post as sentinel, Twas a shrewd night,
and the hours passed very slowly; but there
was that in my heart to warm me against the
cold, for ! knew that all hung upon the change
al midnight. And when that time came, and
there was once more the sound of feet IN the
yard, drew up stiff and stark, beng solicltous
for the hazard.
'TWAS Blake that came To relieve me; but,
fortune had 1t, his head maZed with
Sleep and drink and he paid me little attention.
growled out an oath or two, to which he gave
no answer. his teeth chattering in his jaws;
and with that | left him, and rounding the
corner ! made straight for the entry. When |
got in. there Ned lying in heap upon
some straw, snoring like swine, and Creech.
as | perceived. seated, with his back against
the wall and his eyes lifted meditativelv to
the rafters.
That YOU, Tom" says he, and, without
even a glance at me, chucked his thumb towards
.. pile Of bottles.
There is no sleep vet in that VOICE" thinks
!, and, seating myself IN dark corner, where