Evening star., 1924-05-10

possessed; and if she was afraid she
was more afraid for MIN than for
herself This was something that,
perhaps, she scarcely realized just
then, but she was to realize 1t soon.
Feversham was speaking again,
asking Blake a fresh question. And
who betray you to tbs rogue?"
ITO Westmacott?" cried Blake. He
was in the plot with me. He was left
to guard the rear, to see that we
deserted his post. Had he not done
that there had been no disaster, in
spite of Mr.. Wildings Intervention"
Fevershams brow was dark, his
eyes giittered as they rested on the
traitor.
Tat true, sare?" he asked him.
Not quite" put in Mr.. Wilding.
Mr.. Westmacott, | think, was con-
strained away. He did not intend"
''Tais-toi." blazed Feversham. Did
westercott to answer" He set d
hand on the table and leaned for
ward toward Wilding. his face very
malign. You shall to answer for
yourself. Mistaire Wildin'; / promise
you shall to answer for yourself"
He turned again to Richard. "Eh,
bien?" he snapped. will you speak,
Richard came forward a step; he
was certainly nervous, and certainly
pale. but neither as pale nor as nerv-
Gus as from our knowledge of Rich
ard we might have looked to see him
at that moment
TT is in a measure true, he said.
But what Mr.. Wilding has said is
more exact. l was induced away. l
did not dream any could know of the
plan or that my absence could cause
this catastrophe"
$50 you went. eh vaurien? You
fought tat be TO do your duty, eh?
And il was you who tole your SIS
taire?"
Il may have told her. but not be-
fore she had the tale already from
Blake"
Feversham sneered and shrugged.
Natural you will not speak true.
traitor / ave observe is always liar"
Richard drew himself up; he SEEM
ed invested almost with new dig
nifty. your lordShip is pleased to ac-
count me a traitor?" he inquired.
"A dam traitor" said his lord ship.
and at that moment the door opened
and sergeant, with six men follow
ing him stood at the salute upon the
threshold. "A la bonne heure" his
lordship hailed them 'Sergean', you
will arrest tbs rogue and It's lady
he waved his hand from Richard to
Ruth-"and you will take TEN to
lock up"
The sergeant advanced toward Rich
ard. who drew a step away from him.
Ruth rose to her feet in agitation.
MIR. Wilding interposed himself be-
tw cen her and the guard, his hand
upon his sword.
My lord" he cried, do they teach
no better courtesy in France"
Feversham scowled at him. smiling
darkly. Il shall talk wit you soon,
sare," said he, his words a threat.
But, my lord" began Richard.
traitor
In tie mornin'." said Feversham,
bland1y, waving his hand. and the
sergeant took Richard by the shoul-
der.
But Richard twisted from his grasp
I'm the morning will be too late" he
cried. II have it in my power to
render you such service as you lit
tie dream Of
Take i'm away" said Feversham,
wearily.
Il can save you from destruction"
army.
Perhaps even now Feversham had
not needed him but for Wildings
sudden interference.
silence, Richard" he cried to him.
Would you betray-?" He check
ed on the word; more he dared not
say. but he hoped family that he
had said enough.
FeveSham, however. chanced to OBJ
serve that this man. who had shown
himself hitherto so calm, looked sud-
denly most singularly perturbed.
"Eh?" quoth the general. An in
stan, sergean'. What is It's. eh?" and
he looked from Wilding to Richard.
Your lordship shall learn at a
price" cried Richard.
Me. l not bargain wit traitors"
said his lordship, stiff1y.
Very well, then" answ cred Rich
ard. and he folded his arms dra-
matically. But no matter what your
lordship's life may be hereafter, you
will never regret anything more bit
terly than you shall regret this by
sunrise. If, indeed, you live to- see it."
Feversham shifted uneasily on his
feet. What you say" he asked.
What you mean"
You shall know at price" said
Richard again.
Wifding, realizing the hopelessness
of interfering now, stood gloomily
apart, a great bitterness in his soul
at the indiscretion he had committed
in telling Richard of the night attack
that was afoot
Your lordship shall hear my price,
have had an opportunity of verifying
the information l have to give you"
Tell me-" said Feversham after a
brief pause. during which he scruti
nized the young. mans face.
IF your roldship will promise lib
and myself"
Tell me-" Feversham repeated.
When you have promised to grant
me what ] ask in return for my in
formation"
Yes, If 1 t'ink your information is
wort it,
Il am content" said Richard. He
INCLINED his head and loosed the quar-
rel of his news. Your camp is slum
bering, your officers are all abed with
the exception of the outpost on the
road to Bridgewater. What should
you say if ] told you that Monmouth
and all his army are marching upon
you at this very moment, will proba-
bly, fall upon you before another hour
is past?''
Wilding uttered a groan, and his
hands fell to his sides. Had Fever
sham observed this he might have
been less ready with his sneering an
swer.
"A lie" he answered. and laughed.
My fren'. l ave myself been tonight,
at midnight, on tie moor, and ! ave
card tie army of tie Due de Mon
moot marching to Bristol on tie road
THE Eastern Causeway, my lord"
answered the captain.
VOLTA" said Feversham, and
spread his hands. What you say
THAT that is part of Monmouth S
plan to come at you across the moors,
by way of Chedzoy, avoiding your
only outpost. and falling upon you in
your beds, all unawares. Lord, sir,
| do not take my word for it. Send
out your scouts, and I dare swear
/ they'll not need go far before they
come upon the enemy"
Fevershaw looked at Wentworth.
His lordship's face had undergone a
| change.
What you t'ink?" he asked.
! Indeed, my lord, it sounds so like
| ly," answered Wentworth. that .
| that / marvel we did not pro-
| vide against such contingency"
| But I ave PROVIDE" cried this
| nenheW of the great Turenne ..Opel :