Evening star., 1924-04-27
Continued from Yesterdays star)


When they entered, Wilding coming
first, his hat under his arm, the duke
sprang to meet him. a tall young
figure. 1.-the and slender as blade OF
steel, and of steely strength for al
IS slimness. He was dressed in q
suit of purple that became him mar
yelouSly well. and on his breast a
star of diamonds flashed and smol-
dered like a thing of fire. He was OF
an exceeding beauty of face. wherein
ne mainly favored that bold, hand
some woman" that was his mother
without, however, any of his mother $
inSipidity; fine eyes, good nose
straight and slender. and mouth
which, if sensual and indicating
lack of strength, was beautifully
shaped. His chin was slightly cleft
he shape of his face a delicate oval
framed now in the waving masses OF
his brown wig. Some likeness to ms
late majesty was also discernable, In
spite of the wart, fut of which his
uncle James made So much capital.
There was a slight flush on his
cheeks, an added luSter in his eye,
as he took Wilding's hand and shook
it heartily before Wilding had time
TO kiss his grace's.
You are late" he said, but there
was no reproach in his voice. We
had looked to find you here when
We came ashore. You had my letter?
Il had not. your grace" answerea
"Stolen?" cried the duke, and be-
hind him Gre pressed forward,
whilst even Fe EuSon paused in his
writing to raise his piercing eyes and
listen.
1T is no matter" Wilding reas-
sured him. Although stolen. it has
but gone to Whitehall today, when it
can add little to the news that is
already on its way there"
The duke laughed softly. with a
flash of white teeth, and looked past st
Wilding at Trenchard. Some of the
light faded out of his eyes. They
told me Mr. Trenchard he
began. when Wilding, half turning to
his friend, explained.
This is Mr.. Nicholas Trenchard-
John Tren .hards cousin"
L bid cuu welcome, sir" said the
duke, very agreeably, "and l trust
your cousin follows you"
Alas" said Trenchard. my cousin
words he related the matter of John
Trcnchard's homecoming on his ac-
CuittaI and the trouble there had been
connected with il.
The duke received the news in
silence. He had expected good sup
port from old Speke'S son-in-law
Indeed. there was a promise that
when he came John Trenchard would
bring fifteen hundred men from
TaUlton. He took turn in the room
dee0 in thought, and there was a
pause until Ferguson. rubbing his
great Roman nose, asked suddenly
had Mr.. Wilding seen the Declaration.
Mr. Wilding had not, and thereupon
the plotting parSon, who was proud
II his composition. would have read
Il to him there and then. but that
Grey sourly told him the matter
would keep. and that they had other
things to discuss with Mr.. Wilding.
This the duke himself confirmed,
which he would be glad to have
their opinion.
He invited the newcomers to draw
chairs to the table; glasses were
called for, and couple Of fresh
bottles of Canary went round the
few moments, whilst WildinE and
Trenchard washed the dust from their
'hroats: then Monmouth broke the ice
by asking them bluntly what they
thought of his coming thus, earlier
than was at first agreed.
Wilding never hesitated in his re-
ply. Frankly, your grace" said he,
81 like it not at all"
Fletcher looked up sharply, his
clear, intelligent eyes full upon Wild
fng's calm face, his countenance ex-
pressing as little as did Wilding's.
Ferguson seemed slightly taken
aback. Grcy's thick lips were twisted
in a Sneering simle.
Faith" said the latter with elab-
crate sarcasm, in that case it only
remains for us to ship again. heave
anchor, and back to Holland"
ut is what l should advise" said
Wilding slowly and quietly, ''if l
thought there was a chance of my
advice being taken He had a calm.
almost apathetic way of uttering
startling things which rendered them
doubly startling. The sneer seemed
20 freeze on Lord Grey's lips; Fletcher
grown more round: Ferguson scowled
dargly. The dukes boyish FACET
was still very youthful despite his
siX-and thirty years - expressed a
wondering CONSERVATION. He looked
at Wilding, and from Wilding to the
others, and his glance seemed to en-
treat them to suggest an answer to
him. 1t was Grey at last who took
The matter up.
You shall explain your meaning.
sir. or we must hold you traitor"
he exclaimed.
King James does that already"
answered Wilding, with a quiet smile.
Dye mean the Duke of York ~
rumbled Ferguson's Scottish accent
with startling suddeness. and Mon
mouth nodded approval of the correc-
ton. IF ye mean that bloody papist
and fratricide, it were well so to
speak of him. Had ye read the
Declaration -
But Fletcher cropped his speech
in mid-growth. He was ever a short
tempered man, into1erant of ir-
relevancies.
1T were well, perhaps" said he, his
3ccent abundantly proclaiming him a
fellow countryman Of Ferguson's, ito
keep to the matter before us. Mr..
Wilding, no doubt, will state the
reasons that exist, or that he fancies
may exist, for giving advice which
is hardly worthy of the cause to
which he stands committed
Aye, Fletcher" said Monmouth,
there is sense in you. Tell US what
IS in your mind. Mr.. Wilding."
1T is in my mind. your grace, that
this invasion is rash, premature, and
ill-advised.''
odds life. cried Grey, and he
swung angrily round fully to face the
duke, the nostrils of his heavy nose
dilating. Are we to listen to this
milksop prattle?"
Nick Trenchard. who had hitherto
been silent, cleared his throat so
noisily that he drew all eyes to
himself
Your grace" Mr.. Wilding pursued,
his air calm and dignified, and gath
cring more dignity from the circum-
stance that he proceeded as if there
had been no interruption, when l
had the honor of comforting with