Evening star., 1924-04-20
Mistress Wilding
By Rafael Sabafi,si
Anthor Of "Searamoashe." "Captzia Blood" etc.
Copyraxht. 1924 by Heashtsa alniu Company


OF them on either side of him, hat
christopher Monk, Duke of AIbe-
marie Lord Lieutenant OF Devonshire,
VINO had been summoned in all haste
from Exeter that he might be present
AZ an examination which promised
70 De OF so vast Importance. The
illee sat at a long table at the rooms
eno' attended by two secretaries
DeIore them, guarded by constable
and tythingmen. weaponIess tbe;r
nands pinioned behind them-BIake's
Arn was healed by now-stood Mr..
Westm acott and his friend Sir Row
land to answer this grave charge
Richard. not knowing who might
nave betrayed him and to what ex-
tent, was very fearfuI-haying
tnroogh his connection with the cause
other hand, conscious OF his Innocence
OF any plotting, WAS impatient of his
position, and thought contemptuous
II was he who, upon being ushered by
ehe constable and his men into the
august presence of the lord lieutenant
ciaznor'ed to know precisely of what
ne was accused that he might
straightway clear himself
A!oemarle reared his great massive
mead; mothered in a mighty black
London beau. A black -visaged gen
leman was Christopher Monk. His
Pendulous cheeks, 1t is true. were of a
saiow pallor, but what with his black
wig, black eyebrows, dark eyes, and
the blue-elack tint of shaven beard
Oh ms great Jaw and upper lip, he
presented an appearance somberly
sinister. His netherlip was thick and
very prominent: deep creases ran
from the corners of his mouth adown
his heavy chin; his eyes were dull
and lack-luster with great pouches
under them. In the main. the air of
this son of the great parliamentarian
general was stupid, dull, unprepos-
sessing.
The creases of his mouth deepened
as Blake protested against what he
termed this outrage that had been
done him; he sneered ponderously,
thrusting further forward his heavily
undershot jowi.
We are informed, sir. by your
antecedents." he staggered Blake by
answering We have learned the rea-
son why you left London and your
creditors. and in all my life, sir, I
have never known a man more ready
TO turn his hand to treason than a
broken galnester. Your kind turns
by instinct TO such work as this, as a
last resource for the mending of bat
tered fortunes"
Blake crimsoned from chin to brow.
TN forejudged, it seems he made
answer haaghtiiy, tossing his fair
locks, his blue eyes glaring upon his
Judges. May 1. at least, know. tho
name of my accuser?'
You shall receive impartial justice
at our hands" put in Phelps, whose
manner was of a dangerous mildness.
Depend on that Not only shall you
you shall be confronted by him
Meanwhile, sirs'-and his glance
strayed from Blake's flushed and an
CRY countenance to Richards pale and
mid-"meanwhile, are We to under
stand that you deny the charger"
Il have heard none as yet" said
Sir Rowland, insoiently
Aibemarie turned TO one of the sec
retaries- Read them the Indictment"
said he. and sank back in his chair,
his dull glance upon the prisoners.
whilst the clerk in a droning voice
read from document which he took
up. IL impeaehed Sir Rowland Blake
and ar. Richard Westmacott of hold
ing treasonable communication with
James Scott, Duke OF Monmouth. and
OF plotting against his majesty's life
and throne and the peace of his majes-
tvs realms
Blake listened with unconceaIed
impdtience to the farraRo Of legal
phrases. and snorted contemptuousTy
when the reading came to an end.
Albemarie looked at him darkIy.
IT do thank Cod" said he. that
through Mr.. westmacotts folly has
this hidecus plot. this black and
damnahie treason. been brought 70
light in time to enable US to stamp
out this fire ere il is well kindled.
Have You sught to say. sir"
II have to say that the whole
charge is a foul and unfounded lie"
said Sir Rowland. hiuntly. 1T never
plotted In my life against anything
but my own prosperity, nor against
any man but myself"
leagues. then turned to westmacott
And you. sir." he said Are you
as stubborn as your Sriendg'
ST inccntfnentfy deny the charge" :"
said Richard, and he contrived that
his voice should ring bold and reso-
lutte.
"a charge built on air" sneered
Blake. which the first breath of truth
should utterly dispei. We have heard
the Impeachment VIII your grace
with the same consideration permit us
to see the proofs that we may lay
bare their falseness? II should not. be
diffcult"
do you say there is no such plot
as is here alleged" duoth .the duke,
and smote a paper sharply.
should I know he asked II say L
have no share in any, that I am ac-
quainted with none"
Call Mr.. Trenchard." said the duke
quietly, and an usher who had stood
tameiy by the door at the far end
of the room departed on the errand
Richard started at the mention Of
that name. He had a singular dread
Of Mr.. Trenchard.
Col. Luttreil-lean and wiry-now
addressed the prisoners. Blake more
will admit that such a plot may. in
deed, exist?'
'Tt may, indeed. for aught I know
or care" he added incautionsly.
Albemarle sTnote the table with a
that deep. booming voice of his. 'there
spoke q traitor! You do not care. you
say. what plots may be Matched
against his maSestyss life and crown! !!
Yet you ask me to believe you true
and loyal subject"
Blake was anEered: he was at best
a short tempered man. Deliberately
he fioundered further into the mire.
81 have not asked your grace to be-
fieve me anything" he answered, hotiy.
eft is all one to me what your grace
believes me I take IL I have not
been fetched hither to be confronted
with what your grace believes You
have preferred a lying charge against
me: I axk for proofs. not your grace's
beliefs and opinions"
by God, sir. you are a daring
roguei" cried Albemarle.
Sir Rowiand's eyes" blazed. -"Anon.
your grace. when. having failed Of
your proofs you shall be constrained
to restore me to liberty, shall ask
your grace to unsay that word. -
AIbemarie stared, confounded, and
In that moment the door opened. and
Trenchard sanntered in. cane in hand
his hat under his arm, a wicked smile
on his wigened f2ee. ..,-s
Leaving Biake's veiied threat unan-
swere6. the duke turned to the old
rake. These rogues." said. he. point
ing to the prisoners "demand proofs
ere they will admit the truth OF the
impeachment"
Those proofs" said Trenchard,
''sxe already in your grace's hands,