The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-06-27

be and as Di Vernon had warned him
that he was at Osbaidistone Hall the
young man felt that q secret departure
was the only safe one-and he must
be sure Of reaching Glasgow. But he
conhded In Di. of course. and she gave
him packet, which he was to open ten
DAYS before his fathers debts must be
paid II Rashieigh was not found at
that time.
It was all very strange, the power
which this girl seemed to exercise over
men and event. Frank began to pcr-
ceive vaguely that she was in the CEN
ire of political intrigues of which he
could only guess the import. But lit
| tie he cared for that as he rode away
| into the darkness with his head In a
whiri--for Diana Vernon at the part
| ing had confessed she loved him. But
she had added that her doom was fix-
ed and bad hidden him farewell for
/ ever.
1t was late on Saturday when Frank
Osbaldistone arrived In the good city
| of. Glasgow and of course he could do
no business that day with the members
of the firm OF Macvittie. Macfin & Co.,
| his fathers correspondents. whom it
had been instructed to seek out And
as the next day was the Sabbath, of
course he could do no business with
them then. So. possessing his soul
/ =.
lowed the advice of Adrew Fairservice
and attended the preaching at tho
"Barony Kirk" formerly the cathedral
/ of the city.
The services were held in the base
ment OF the, edifce, which was crowd
ed with worshippers. and Frank. as he
stood leaning against a pillar. sudden
ly heard "a voice behind him say:
| Listen but do not look around. You
!! are In danger In this city, and so am l..
Meet me on the bridge at IL precisely
| Keep at home until the cleaning. and
| avoid observation"
In spite Of the warning, Frank look
ed around. but only caught sight of q
| figure mufied in a plaid as 1t dlsap-
peared into one of the gloomy crypts
| filled with monuments of the dead
which branched of from the place of
| worship.
| Though doubtful IL the mysterious
stranger was friendly or hostile In his
intent, Frank kept the appointed tryst
on the bridge, and there met stout.
| rugged-appearing man. who informed
him briefly that his intentions were
entirely of a friendly nature, and that
he was taking the trouble he did In
the young mans affairs because of the
commands OF friend OF Franks who
must be nameless.
Franks thoughts Immediately flew
to Diana Vernon as the guardian angal
who still watched over him. and when
the stranger commanded him to follow
him to the Tolbooth, the city prison,
he acceied. In that prison." said the
stranger. you will meet an old friend
from whose lips you can learn of the
danger you are IN
When shock headed warder had adj
mitted them with every mark of deep
almost abject reverence for Frnak's
guide, he found. lying on the cot In a
cell, the emaciated form of old Owen,
his fathers tried and trusted clerk.
owen told him of the Vaccinations
OF Rashleigh and how he had been
thrown into prison by the firm of Mac
Vittie. MacFin and Co., on his arrival
in Glasgow on q charge of debt, which
the Scottish law enabled them to en-
force against even a representative of
the embarrassed firm of osbaldistone.
He had hurried north after writing
to Frank and had no doubt that his
present situation was due to the In
fluence of Rashleigh. of whom he had
been unable to obtain even tidings.
While they talked. Frank gazed from
time to time at the man who had
brought him to the Tolbooth. His face
and form had seemed strangely
familiar. Suddenly 1t dawned upon him
that his guide of the night was none
other than that very Mr.. Campbell
whom he had met upon his journey
from London and who had stood him
in good service in the affair at Squire
fnglewood's. Mr.. Campbell admitted
his identity and said he had come to
the rescue of Frank at the house Of
the Justice by direction of Rashleigh.
More he would not say.
Suddenly there began a great knock
ing and shouting at the door Of the
prison. Augald. the shock-headed
warder who had admitted them, rushed
into the cell to say that the Bailie.
Nichol Jarvie, had arrived and that the
head keeper of the prison was admit
ting him. At first Campbell seemed to
prepare for a fight, but he changed
his mind, and as the Bailie was usher
ed in he sat down in a chair smilingly.
calmly awaiting the event.
Seeing strangers In the prison at
that hour of the night, the Battle
stared In establishment Then, evident
ly recognizing Campbell, he ordered the
head keeper to go outside and keep
the door. Turning to the hrawny
Scotchman, the Battle poured out tor
rent of mixed abuse and praise, re-
preached him for his reclxlessness and
declared that were they not of kin. ami
Scottish relationship more sacred than
even his duty as an officer of the
city. he would have the intruder froned
hand and foot preparatory to hanging
him at the Cross of Glasgow.
Frank discovered from the converse
ton that his mysterious friend was
none other than the celebrated High
land robber and levier of blackmail,i
Rob Roy McGregor, thrice proclaimed
outlaw at the High Cross of Edinburgh
whose life was forfeit to the Crown
and who. with his clan. was even, then
engaged in rebellious schemes against
the Government and in favor Of the
exiled house Of Stuart.
Rob Roy only smiled at his kinsman's
threats and reproaches and called to
his mind their common relations in
Highland glens and mountain fastness-
es Sworn officer of the law as he was.
the Bailie evidently was not a little
proud of his relationship to the IA
nous chief, and Frank saw that his
friend was in no danger from that
quarter.
What had brought the Bailie to the
Jail at that early hour of the morn
ing was soon explained. He, as Mac
Vittie, MaeFin & Co.. was a correspon-
dent of the elder OSbaldistone, and had
profited much by his dealing with his
firm. He deplored the fact that owen
had not come to him upon his arrival
In Glasgow. The Baltic had heard on
Saturday night of owens arrest. but
his conscLepce would not permit him
to come to his rescue until the clock
had marked the last hour of the Sab
bath. Sc he had sat up all night Sun
day and then had FASTENED to the Tol
booth. He would take upon himself
to advance money, IL need be to clear |
tho xrax, ne Oaha ldist0na q Traahaua's /