The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-01-19
CHATTER XVIII. rxr&

Ihe Heeromaneer.
 Lord Everingham felt not a little perplexed. The Cardinaf seemed bent on pressing his point and on obtain ing a definite promise of friendship. whilst the young man would have pre- ferred to leave the matter in statu quo. condition of open and avowed enmity.
 Moreover. he would have wished te speak with some of his friends. Lord Sussex and the Earl of Oxford were staying at the Palace. Sir Henry birmingham. Arundel. Chyene, Paket all hot partisans of Wessex, cohIc easily be communicated with. In the meanwhile. Evaringham was racking his brain for the right word to say: the retort courteous. which would noi hopelessly, allenate His Eminence. If. Indeed. he was seeking temporary friendship.
 Chance and jealous night watch man put an abrupt end to Lord liver highlands perplexity: even when he was about to speak, gruff voice whion seemed to como right out of the dark ness. interrupted him with the well known call:
 "who goes thereT'
 Almost immediately afterwards the strong light of isnthorn was pro- Jected on the figure of the Cardinal.
 How now, friend" quoth His Emi- hence. pleasantly. ''art seeking Tor the truth with that Ianthorn' of thineT'
 But already the knave. having re- cognized the brilliant crimson robes and realized the high quality of their august wearer. had lost himself in a veritable maze of humble apologies.
 "I crave your Eminence's mercirui pardon" he stammered, T did not think -" I am on duty =
 His thin, shrivelled form was scarce distinguishable fin the gloom, onlg nis old face. with large bottle nose. and his pale, watery eyes. appeared gro- tesque and quaint in the yellowish light of his ianthorn.
 "Then fulful thy duties. friend" re- joined the Cardinal. who made it point always to speak kindly and ur- baneIy, even to the meanest lout.
 The man made low obeisance and would have kissed His Eminence's hand. but the latter withdrew it gent ly.
 Are there Inaraudsrs about, friend watchman?" h. condescended to ksk, as the man prepared to so. Thou oost not appear to be very strong. nor yet stoutly armed,r
 "Your Emiuences paydon," replica the man. 'stis for woman am toId to Watch.
 "A wonanT'
 By Her Grace. the Duchess of Lin- coln's orders"
 "Ah!" remarked His Emlnence. with sudden interest. 9E
 .Mayhap some thief or vagront your Eminence."
 "Aye. mayhap! Then 90 thy way, good watchman, we'll not htndsr thee"
 Slowly the man shuffIsd on dans- Urp his Ianth orn bsfocc him. The Cardinal watched tlra patcn If brilliant light until it disappeared b ahtnd pro- jecting bosduet.
 Ills Enrinence had become exceeding " sbcughtful.
 .Know you aught of this. my lordS he asked of Lord Everingham, who also seemed wrapped in meditation.
 T suspect something of it," replied the young man slowly. There Is a story afloat-gossip I thought ft-that one of the Queens maids of honour has been playing some curious pranks at night---and in disguise
 indeed? Know you who the lady is7"
 s'No! nor can even guess. All the maids of honour are young and full or fun. and no doubt the gfflish pranks were harmless enough. but Her Ma iesty is verty austere and rigtdly stern where questions of decorum are con- eerned."