Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-11-12

word he tossed II up 10 the carter, VINO
caught it very dexterously, locked at it, bit
it, rubbed it on his sleeve, rang it upon the
footboard of his wagon, bit it again, and
finally pocketed it.
"It's go, Sir he nodded, his scowl van
ishing as by magic; and as he spoke he
turned, seized the nearest sack, and forth
with sent cascade of potatoes rolling and
bounding all over the road. Which done, he
folded up the sack, and handed it down to
Bellew, who thrust it under the seat, nodded,
and, throwing in the clutch, set off down the
road. But, long after the car had hummed
Itself out of sight, and the dust of its going
had subsidized, the carter sat staring after 1t
open mouthed.
If Baxter wondered at this purchase, he
said nothing only he bent his gaze thought
fully upon the black leather bag that he held
on his knee.
On they sped between fragrant hedges, |
under whispering trees, past lonely cottages
and farmhouseS, past gate, and field, and
wood, until the sun grew low.
A T last Belcw stopped the automobile at
place where a narrow lane, or cart
track, branched off from the high road and
wound away between great trees.
Il leave you here, said he as he sprang
from the car. This is Dapplemere. The
farmhouse lies over the upland yonder; |
though YOU can't see it because of the trees.
as it far, Master George
about half mile"
Here is the bag, Sir; but-do you think
it is-quite safe:?s
"Safe, john
under the circumstances, Master George, |
| think it would be advisable toto take |
this with YOU And he held out small re-
volver. Bellew laughed and shook his head. |
"Such things aren't necessary here in
Arcadia, John; besides, | have my stick.
So goodby. For the present you'll stay at
the Kings Head remember"
Goodnight, Master George, Sir, good |
night, and good fortune go with you.7
THANK YOU said Bellew, and reached
out his hand. Il think we'll shake on that, |
john"
So they clasped hands, and Bellew turned
and set off along the grassy lane. And pres
car grow rapidly fainter and fainter until it |
was lost in the quiet of the evening.
CHAPTER XIV. The Conspirators
THE shadows were creeping down, and
: evening was approaching, as Bellew
took his way along that winding lane that
led to the House of Dapplemere.
Had there been anyone to see, which there |
was not, they might have noticed something |
for he walked always under the trees where |
the shadows lay thickest and paused once or
twice to look about him warily. Being come |
within sight of the house. he turned aside |
and, forcing his way through gap in the |
hedge, came by roundabout course to the |
farrnyard. Here, after some search, he dis |
covered a spade, which, having discarded
his stick, he took upon his shoulder, and
with the black leather bag tucked under his
arm crossed the paddock with the same de-
gree of caution, and SO at last reached the
orchard. On he went always in the shadow,
until at length he paused beneath the mighty
knotted branches of King Arthur. Never
did conspirator glance about him with
sharper eyes, or hearken with keener ears,
than did George Believer Conspirator
Number One-where he now stood beneath |
the protecting shadow of King Arthur-or
Conspirator Number Two-as, having un-
folded the potato sack, he opened the black |
leather bag.
The moon was rising broad and yellow;
but it was low as yet, and King Arthur stood |
in impenetrable gloom. as any other thor
ough going self respecting conspirator
should. And now, all at once, from this
particular patch of shadow there came a sud- |
den sound, a rushing sound, a chinking, |
Il. 1;c onI tbaraoftar o