Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-01
SIXTEENTH INSTALLMENT.

SIXTEENTH INSTALLMENT.
TINE Burgundian lieutenant sat
over the remains of a generous
supper, savoring with his fool a
Il jug of Rhenish that had null
led and spiced. They occu-
pied a cosy chamber adjacent to
the great draughty hall of the GRAY
enhof 1t was hung with Flemish tap
estries and lighted by lamp suspend
ed from the groined ceiling.
"I think" said the governor, that
we have now rounded up all the game"
This in allusion to the five arrests
he had that day effected in Middel-
burg.
And I think" he added. chat
when these Middelburg traitors have
been hanged there will be an end of
plots against the government of the
dukes highness, and We shall be able
to take our ease"
"Amen!" said the fool. "Our ease
is what we desire above all else, whether
the burghers hang or not"
"Oh, they will hang" the governor
assured him.
"All the five of them9" The tone i'm
piled a doubt.
why notP Whom would you ex-
cept?"
Myself, none: for I cannot imagine
that any of them will be missed But
there's the evidence. 1t may give four
Of them to the hangman. I've doubt
Of the fifth"
"Yon mean DanveltP There's his
letter"
He swears he can prove it isn't his.
II he can, he goes back to his beautiful
wife. Poor soull hope for her sake
that he can't"
The governor was considering. HE
demands that I send a courier to his
friend, Count Anthony of Guelders.
His friend, mark you We'll, that
can't be done at present. The count
is with the army before Liege, and
will have enough to engage him. He
would resent any such message, even
on behalf of his friend Danvelt"
A moment later a servant came to
announce the arrival of Mistress Jo-
hanna.
Rhynsault ordered her to be admitted
and rose to receive her. The fool, af-
fecting to ignore her, took up his quill.
1T is not my custom to receive suit
ors at so late an hour, madame" was
Rhynsault's greeting, delivered, how
ever, without gruffness.
Il am aware Of it, my lord. and
He admired her pride of bearing, the
self-command which enabled her al
most completely to dissemble an inev-
liable anxiety. He proffered a chair.
which she accepted gratefully.
"A cup Of Rhenish?" he invited, add
ing, as If in Justification of this informal
hospitality, THE air Is chill"
Il had to brave it, my lord, in the
hope of sparing my husband a night in
gaol. would have come earlier but
that was assembling these documents.
They should dispel all cause that you
may think you have for keeping my
husband a prisoner" She proffered
him a roll of parchments.
Still standing, he took them, frown-
ing thoughtfully. What are these?"
Letters written by my husband"
What have these letters to do with
the matter?"
II have brought them so that YOU
may compare the hands and the sigma
lures. You will see at once that the
reasonable letter upon which you ar
rested him was not written by Philip"
How do you know that, mistress?
You haven't seen the letter upon which
he was arrested"
mo. But I know that the writing
cannot be the same because he never
wrote any reasonable letters. He never
engaged in any treason"
We'll, well" he said. 1.-THE letters
shall be kept. I thank you for bring
ing them to me-"
las to that. my lord, It Is I who shall
thank you for making the comparison
and setting my husband at liberty"
Let me warn you, mistress, not to
place too much reliance upon this COM
parison. 1t may be, after all. that YOU
have but added evidence against him"
She smiled confidently as she shook
her head.
Il am quite sure that I have not done
that"
you love this husband?" he asked
her gently.
He is my husband, SIR" She was
suddenly stiff and distant,
That does not answer my question"
There are questions, sir, that are
never answered because they should
never have been asked"
You misunderstood me, madame"
He stopped toward her a little. II ask
out Of concern for you"
That same concern should have as
Sumed the answer. II you will make
the comparison for which I have
brought you the means, 1 shall be in
deed grateful"
oh, the comparison-the COMPARE
Son!" He was little impatient. 1T
snail be made. 1t shall be made In due
I'm due season." For the first time
she seemed taken aback, and looked
MIN fully in his handsome, florid face.
But why not now-at once?"
There are Inconvenience. You will
not be importunate, mistress, when I
tell you that it would distress me to
deny you. This is matter for my
secretaries and for the court when It
comes to sit In judgment"
But II you can persuade yourself by
these that no charge is possible against
my husband, what need. then. for judg-
ment? Could you not do it now, at
once? So that my husband need not
spend a night in gaol? 1t Is to save
him this that I have labored."
The governor was properly sympa-
thetic. There were the forms OF the
law which must be observed.
why, only today, SIR" she reminded
him, you boosted in my house that you |
are, yourself, the law in Walcheren."
He nodded. smiling gently. "You are !
right to say boasted. was guilty Of !
reinstatement. I am no more than the |
of the law, the channel !
through which the law is dispensed.
Have patience, madam. Believe me, |
would do deal, a very great deal, to |
serve you. But be mercifui by not ask
ing me to do that which is beyond INV
power. But I'll do what I can. Be !
sure OF that" He was considering her I,
ever, and his eyes had lately narrowed !
\ little. Come to me again tomorrow
BY then I may be able to be |
more definite. Seek me before dine"
In detection she thanked him and !,
When she had gone he sank !,
into his chair again and filled himself
= cup from the jug. In silence he sat !
considering the wine before he drank it, |
In silence he continued after he had !
drunk.