The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-27


 sight of Campbell. His jaw fell, Camp bell produced protection, or letter of recommendation, from the Duke of Ar gyl1, the head of his clan. Then he swore to the justice that he had wit messed the robbery of Morris and that | Frank Osbaldistone was not the man l who had done the deed He being a man of peace, he said, had not inter- ferred, but Morris, no doubt, would now withdraw his complaint. He fixed his stern and commanding glance upon Morris and that weakling took back all his charges. Then, commanding Morris to follow him, he left the room, and the pair could be heard in the pas sage, Morris pleading in terror and Campbell saying: T tell thee, man, thou shalt not be harmed"
 The justice threw the writ against Frank into the fire and ordered an- other bottle.
 Rashleigh soon went to London to en- ter the counting room of Osbaldistone and Tresham and Frank fingered on at | Osbaldistone Hall. The reason for his lingering he would not admit, even to himself. though in his secret heart he knew that reason was Di Vernon. Then one day came a letter from his fathers old confidential clerk, owen, telling him that the famous house was in i financial difficulties.
 His father had gone to Holland to collect money due him there, and Rash leigh, who had insinuated himself in- l to the confidence of the head of the firm, had been sent to Scotland with . large sums in bills. But Rashleigh had disappeared and the Glasgow cred itors were pressing. It was a crisis l in the affairs of the honored firm, and MT. Frank must go at once to l Glasgow to find Rash1eigh and reclaim the funds in his possession.
 | Questioning Andrew Fairservice Frank | found that that worthy knew Glasgow well and the paths across the wild border ] that led thereto. Andrew volunteered as | guide servant. The next morning, be- ! fore light, they rode away, Frank leaving a note of farewell for his uncle. Beset with mysteries and dangers as he felt l himself to be and as Di Vernon had warned him that he was at Osbaldistone Hall, the young man felt that a secret de- parture was the only safe one-and he must be sure of reaching Glasgow. But he confined in Dl, of course, and she gave 1 him a packet, which he was to open 10 days before his fathers debts must be l paid if Rashleigh was not found at that time.
 It was all very strange, the power which this girl seemed to exercise over men and events. Frank began to perceive vaguely ! that she was in the center of political in- trigues of which he could only guess the l import. But little he cared for that as he l rode away into the darkness with his head in a whirl-for Diana Vernon at the parting had confessed she loved him. But she had added that her doom was fixed and had bidden him farewell forever. It 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 he 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 with what patience he might, he followed the advice of Andrew Fairservice and attended the preaching at the "Barony Kirk" formerly the cathe- | dral of the city.
 The services were held in the basement of the edifce which was crowded with worshippers, and Frank as he stood lean ing against a pillar, suddenly heard a voice behind him say: Listen, but do not look around. You are in danger in this city, and so am I. Meet me on the bridge at 12 precisely. Keep at home until the gloaming, and avoid observation" In spite of the warning, Frank looked around, but only caught sight of a figure 1 muffed in plaid as it disappeared into one of the gloomy crypts filled with ! monuments of the dead which branched off from the place of worship.
 Though doubtful if the mysterious stran- ger was friendly or hostile in his intent, i; Frank kept the appointed tryst on the | bridge, and there met a 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 a friend of Franks who must be name less.
 Franks thoughts immediately flew to Diana Vernon as the guardian angel who still watched over him, and when the stranger commanded him to follow him to the Tolbooth, the city prison, he acced- ed "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 a shock-headed warden had ad- mitted them with every mark of deep, almost abjeot, reverence for Franks guide he found, lying on the cot in a cell, the emaciated form of old Owen, his fathers s tried and trusted clerk.
 Owen told him of the machinations of Rashleigh and how he had been thrown into prison by the firm of MacVittie, MacFn & Co.,, on his arrival in Glas- gow on a charge of debt, which the Scot tish law enabled them to enforce 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 influence 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 hin, to the rolbooth His face and form