Evening star., 1924-04-23

" IHeu IL SnOulo prove nOtnlnS
against any man in particular. He
stuffed the wrapper into the lining of
his hat, preserving it as proof of
| his good faith against the time when
| he should bring the letter to it's desti-
| nation, or come to confess that it had
been taken from him. That wrapper
| the courier brought to me and ] have
should be more than sufficient to war
| rant your restoring these unjustly ac-
cused gentlemen their liberty
The courier. took it 70 you?"
echoed @ A!ssmarle, I stupefastion in his
Because" said Wilding, and with
| his left hand he placed the wrapper
before Albemarle. whilst his right
dropped again to his pocket. 1.-The let
ter. as You may see. was addressed to
The quiet manner in which he made
the announcement conveyed almost as
great shock as the announcement
| itself
Albemarle took I'D the wrapper;
Luttrell and Phelps craned forward
to join him in his scrutiny of 1T. They
| compared the two, paper with paper,
writing with writing. Then Nc; k
flung one and the other down in front
| Of him.
what lies have been hearing.
>Trenchard "'Slife I'll make an exam
! pie of you. Arrest me that rogue
| arrest them BOTH" and he half rose
pointing to Wilding and Trenchard.
| Two of the tything men stirred to
do his bidding, but in the same in
slant Albemarle found himself look
ing into the round nozzle of a pistol.
laid upon Mr.. Trenchard or me
shall have the extreme modification
OF being compelled to shoot your
His pleasantly modulated voice was
as deliberate and calm as II he were
| Offering the bench pinch of snuff.
Albemarle's dark visake crimsoned:
| his eyes became at once wicked and
afraid. Sir Edwards cheeks turned
pale. his glance grew startled. Lut-
trell alone. vigtlant and dangerous.
| preserved his calm. But the situa-
ton baffied even him.
Behind the two friends the tything
men had come to a terror-stricken
halt. Diana had risen from her
ment and had drawn close to Ruth.
who looked on with parted lips and
bosom that rose and fell Even
Blake could not stitie his admiration
of Mr.. Wilding's GOODNESS and ad-
dress. Richard. on the other hard.
for himself, wondering how it would
fare with him If Wilding and
Trenchard succeeded in getting
away.
Nick" said Mr.. Wilding, will you
desire those catchpolls behind us to
stand aside? II your grace raises
your voice to call for help, if. indeed,
any measures are taken calculated
to lead to our capture. ! can promise
your grace-notwithstan my pro-
l found reluctance to use violence
that they will be the last measures
you will take in life. Be good
enough to open the door. Nick, and to
see that the key is on the outside"
Trenchard, who was by way of en-
joying himself now, stepped brskly
down the hall to do as his friend
bade him, with a wary. eye on the
tything men. But never SO much as
a finger did they dare to lift. Mr.
Wilding's calm was too deadly: they
this, and they knew his appearance
now. From the doorway Trenchard
called Mr.. Wilding.
Il must be going, your grace" said
shall not be so wanting in Difference
to his majesty's august representa-
tive as to turn my back upon you.
Saying which, he walked backwards
holding his pistol level, until he had
reached Trenchard and the door
deep bow, his manner the more
mocking in that there was no tinge
of mockery perceptible. "Your very
obedient servant" said he, and step
ped outside. Trenchard turned the
key, withdrew it from the lock and
standing on tiptoe. thrust it upon
the ledge of the Intel.
+ Instantly clamor arose within
the chamber. But the two friends
never stayed to listen. Down the
passage they sped at the double, and
out into the courtyard. Here Ruth's
groom, mounted himself, was walk
ing his mistress and Diana's horses
up and down whilst he waited. Yon-
der one of Sir Edwards stable boys
was holding Mr.. Wilding's roam
Two or three men of the Somerset
militia, in their red and yellow liv-
cries, lounged by the gates and turn.
ed uninterested eyes upon these new
lcomers
b wilding approached his wife's
groom. Get down" he said. II need
your horse-on the kings business
Get down. 1 say" he added impa-