New Britain herald., 1924-03-18
NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY

! frencn shipping and no ships bound 1 for France at Mapping, and mighty few ships of any kind. The port of London is as empty as Tractors yon- der. There's not a foreign ship'll put into if. nor an English one go out ! Of it, for she wouldn't be given har- bor anywhere for fear of the infec- l tion."
 The Colonel's face heightened in dismay. This. he thought. was the i last blow Of his malignant Fortune. T shall have to go to Portsmouth. then,' he announced gloomily. God knows how I shall get there" "Ye never will. For Portsmouth won't have ye. nor any other town in ! England neither, coming as ye do from London. I tell you, sir. 'he countrys all crazed with fear of the plague"
 But I've certificate of health"
 "ie'd need to have it backed by q minister of state CT ever Portsmouth would let you inside her gates"
 Holes looked at him blankly for q moment. then expressed his bitter ness in a laugh.
 
 means"
 Why, ye say, we're q safe man. Yell not have seer His Grace Of Al. bemarle's proclamation asking for safe men"
 Asking for safe mon? To what end ?r
 Nay the proclamation don't say. fnll find that out in Whitehall, may le. Things being like this with you. now, ye might think ii is worth while To ask. II might be something for Sc, Tor the present at least"
 Hollcs rose. "Whatcyer it may be. whon n man is faced with starvation he had best realize that pride wont i'll an empty belly"
 No more it will" Banks agreed, eHeing the coloncl's nneouth gar. ments. But if yr'rr thinking of pay ing visit to Whitehall yc'd be wise 10 put on your other suit that's above stairs. Yen never get past the lackcys in that livery"
 So you see Issuing presently from the sign of The Harp a Colonel IIollcs very different from tho roloncl IIollcs who had entered it an hour earlier, In Il dark blue suit ol camlet eniiy. ened by little gold lace, black Span ish boots and q black beaver set off by heavy plume ot royal blue. with out q sword, it is true, but swinging T long cane. he presented figure rarely seen just then in London 
 The usher at the Cockpit who went 10 announce him returned almost at once to conduct him into that plcas- ant chamber overlooking the park where His Grace or AlbemarIc acted today as deputy for the pleasurc-loy. 1 ing libertinc prince who had forsakcn ! his stricken capital.
 The Duke heavcd himself up as the [ Colonel entered.
 ''So you're come at last. RanJa1l,' was his astounding greeting. "Un my life. you've taken your own fife . In answering my letter..
 Your letter." said Holes. And he stared blankly al the Duke. as he 'laspcd thu proffcrcd hand.
 My letter. yes. You had it? The c'tcr that sent you nigh upon a l. month ago 10 the Pauis head 7"
 Nay" said Hollcs. "1 had no lct- ' CT"
 "Hrt ." Albcmarle looked ai- most as if he did not believe him. Tn" landlady tbcrr kept it for you. She said. think. that you would bt 'ack in a day or two. and that you hould have th" letter at oncc on your eturn.'' ii
 "A month ago. do yon say? Eur fl < two months and morc since left i h" Faul's Head."
 What do you teil mc? An. wait. { Ny messenger shall spcak for him elf on this.' And l1e strodc away to , he bolI-ropr.
 But Holes checked him.
 Nay. nay" h" cried %ith q wry mile. There's moi tir need. Iii hink I understand Your messenger ! Fonld. no doubt. annoUnc" whence hr amr. and Mrs. quinn. fearing that he n"ws might bc 10 my advantage. [ cted so as 10 prevent his making ! nifhcr search for mo- Whats this"' The tjukc's hcavy ! ac" cmpnrp'ed. ''Do you charge her z .ith expressing communication ! rom an office Of state? By heaven, shes alive I'll have hrr gaolrd 6 pr it.'' T 'i"t b"." said HoIirs. scizfng him | ' thc arm. ''Ibetii take the woman. ell n" O thr 1ettcr. Ye'n never ! 'ean that you had found employment ! pr me. after all" "" II
 You seem incredulous. Kandal? T id you doubt my zeal for youg'' n oh, not your zeal. Hut the pos biiity Of your helping one who was l my case"
 Ave. aye. But as to that. why. improved it when he .ood for your loyalty before the Jus c ces. heard Of that. And when ! 1e chance came. the chance Of this C ombay command that already ] had j lrlier intended for yon .'' | ''Thp Bombay command "" HnIlrS gan to wonder did 7s" dream ..T.at thought that tt had been required i, Buckingham for s~ friend of his | An." d