As the acceptance of the police official"s theory would save them the

necessity of investigating the story further, the reporters agreed to
accept his version, and to accord with it they wrote their stories
As the acceptance of the police official"s theory would save them the
necessity of investigating the story further, the reporters agreed to
accept his version, and to accord with it they wrote their stories.

Prior to his having been addressed, the boy who had given his name as

Bob Chester had noticed the difference between the three men as they
stood in earnest conversation on the sidewalk, and instinctively he had
been attracted by the frankness of the countryman"s face
Prior to his having been addressed, the boy who had given his name as
Bob Chester had noticed the difference between the three men as they
stood in earnest conversation on the sidewalk, and instinctively he had
been attracted by the frankness of the countryman"s face. He had been
wondering why the two New Yorkers were so interested in the other man,
but the unexpectedness of his being accosted had driven all thought from
his mind, and he had given his answers as though compelled by the
searching glance the younger of the two men had directed at him.

'He does not want to plead guilty, your honor

'He does not want to plead guilty, your honor. This whole business in
dragging this boy to court is an outrage. He had no more knowledge of
the fact that those men intended to, or were, swindling this man from
the country, than you have.'

'I"ll show them that a "tenderfoot" has some courage,' Bob said, as he

braced himself for the impact when the dog should leap upon him
'I"ll show them that a "tenderfoot" has some courage,' Bob said, as he
braced himself for the impact when the dog should leap upon him.

'Release nothing,' growled the official

'Release nothing,' growled the official. 'He"s on his way to court,' and
then, as he had read from the expression on Foster"s face that his
mission to interview Len Dardus had not been altogether satisfactory,
he continued: 'You found I was pretty near right about old Dardus,
didn"t you?'

Upon this Jocelyn succinctly related to the Ambassador all such

particulars of his history as have been laid before the reader
Upon this Jocelyn succinctly related to the Ambassador all such
particulars of his history as have been laid before the reader. De
Gondomar listened to him with attention, and put some questions to him
as he proceeded. At its close his countenance brightened.

'Tut! do his bidding, child, without more ado,' old Greenford

interposed
'Tut! do his bidding, child, without more ado,' old Greenford
interposed. 'I shall like to see what will come of it--ha! ha!'

'He is not sane enough to keep his neck from the halter,' rejoined

Archee
'He is not sane enough to keep his neck from the halter,' rejoined
Archee. 'Your Majesty should spare him, since you are indirectly the
cause of his malady.'

The tone in which the reporter spoke was one that could not fail to be

impressive, and after a moment"s hesitation, the magistrate, who knew
Foster as a reporter and admired him for his manly fearlessness, asked:

'Now that we have made this agreement, we will dismiss it from our minds

for the present
'Now that we have made this agreement, we will dismiss it from our minds
for the present. I want you to come to dinner and the theatre with me.'

'Now you look more as though you belonged in Fairfax,' declared one of

the loungers as Bob joined them
'Now you look more as though you belonged in Fairfax,' declared one of
the loungers as Bob joined them.

'He belongs to the order of Melchisedec,' said Archee

'He belongs to the order of Melchisedec,' said Archee. A reply that
occasioned some laughter among the nobles, in which the King joined
heartily.

And together the conductor and the boy hastened to the station, where

the full story was quickly flashed to headquarters at Omaha
And together the conductor and the boy hastened to the station, where
the full story was quickly flashed to headquarters at Omaha.

'No one has passed us, except Madame Bonaventure,' the promoter replied

'No one has passed us, except Madame Bonaventure,' the promoter replied.
'She was wholly unattended, and came in this direction. We were
stationed within yon anti-chamber, which appears to be the sole means of
communication with this passage, and we ought therefore to have
intercepted the young man when he came forth.'

'This only was wanting to fill up the measure of my scorn for thee,'

pursued the Puritan
'This only was wanting to fill up the measure of my scorn for thee,'
pursued the Puritan. 'Thou art worthy of thine office. But show me no
favour, for I will receive none at thy hands. I would rather wear these
fetters to my death, however much they may gall my limbs, than have them
struck off by thee. I would rather rot in this dungeon--ay, though it
were worse than it is--than owe my liberation to thee. The sole favour
thou canst show me is to rid me of thy presence, which is hateful to me,
and chases holy thoughts from my breast, putting evil in their place.'

'It"s no matther,' replied young Lamh Laudher gloomily, 'my character"s

gone
'It"s no matther,' replied young Lamh Laudher gloomily, 'my character"s
gone. I cannot be worse, an" I will tell no man how I spent it, till I
have an opportunity of clarin" myself.'

'For not treating this hyar gemmen wid de respec" Mr

'For not treating this hyar gemmen wid de respec" Mr. Perkins thought I
ought to when he set hisself down in my parlah cyar, when his ticket
done call for the chair cyar.'

Casting a contemptuous glance at the two ludicrous figures that

approached him, the policeman first listened to the excited explanation
of the boy indifferently, then with incredulity, and finally with
amusement
Casting a contemptuous glance at the two ludicrous figures that
approached him, the policeman first listened to the excited explanation
of the boy indifferently, then with incredulity, and finally with
amusement.

During this colloquy the dog had set up a furious barking and snarling,

leaping about in evident readiness to spring upon the horseman when he
should get well within the clearing
During this colloquy the dog had set up a furious barking and snarling,
leaping about in evident readiness to spring upon the horseman when he
should get well within the clearing.

Uncertain whether or not to obey, the dog looked from Bob to the horses

Uncertain whether or not to obey, the dog looked from Bob to the horses.
But the boy quickly repeated his commands, running toward the hound, and
the animal, with a parting snarl at the agent, turned and trotted to the
side of his new master, where he took his stand as though waiting to
defend him, should it be necessary.

'We"ll all protect you, Madame,' cried the assemblage with one

voice--'Let him lay hands upon you, and he shall see
'We"ll all protect you, Madame,' cried the assemblage with one
voice--'Let him lay hands upon you, and he shall see.'

Randolph, the city in which Bob was marooned, being a division

headquarters of the railway, there was a train despatcher"s office in
the station, and thither the agent led Bob
Randolph, the city in which Bob was marooned, being a division
headquarters of the railway, there was a train despatcher"s office in
the station, and thither the agent led Bob.

'How can I comply with it?' he rejoined

'How can I comply with it?' he rejoined. 'Nothing were done, if only
partly done. Know you the charge that Lady Roos means to bring against
you? Though alike false and improbable, it is one to find easy credence
with the King; and it has been framed with that view. You will
understand this, when I tell you what it is. In this letter,' he added,
picking up the paper he had thrown down, and unfolding it, 'she accuses
you of practising sorcery to enslave my affections. She declares you
have bewitched me; and that she has proof of the manner in which it was
done, and of the sinful compact you have entered into for the purpose.'

The mother shrieked aloud, and clapped her hands like a distressed

woman; the father"s brow changed from the flushed hue of indignation,
and became pale with apprehension
The mother shrieked aloud, and clapped her hands like a distressed
woman; the father"s brow changed from the flushed hue of indignation,
and became pale with apprehension.

'A black business, will you?' she exclaimed, repeating his words in

a soliloquy;--'do so--an" may all that"s black assist you in it! Dher
Chiernah, I"ll do it or lose a fall--I"ll make the Lamh Laudhers the
Lamh Lhugs afore I"ve done wid "em
'A black business, will you?' she exclaimed, repeating his words in
a soliloquy;--'do so--an" may all that"s black assist you in it! Dher
Chiernah, I"ll do it or lose a fall--I"ll make the Lamh Laudhers the
Lamh Lhugs afore I"ve done wid "em. I"ve put a thorn in their side this
many a year, that"ll never come out; I"ll now put one in their marrow,
an" let them see how they"ll bear that. I"ve left _one_ empty chair at
their hearth, an" it "ll go hard wid me but I"ll lave another.'

The foremost of the two was merely a yeoman of the guard, and would not

for a moment have attracted Sir Jocelyn"s attention, if it had not been
for a female who accompanied him, and whom he was evidently conducting
to Sir Thomas Lake"s rooms, as Sir Jocelyn not only saw the man point
towards them, but heard him mention the Secretary of State"s name
The foremost of the two was merely a yeoman of the guard, and would not
for a moment have attracted Sir Jocelyn"s attention, if it had not been
for a female who accompanied him, and whom he was evidently conducting
to Sir Thomas Lake"s rooms, as Sir Jocelyn not only saw the man point
towards them, but heard him mention the Secretary of State"s name.

'It must be the Fiend in person,' quoth the apprentice, contriving to

regain the saddle
'It must be the Fiend in person,' quoth the apprentice, contriving to
regain the saddle. 'I trust you have made no compact with him, Sir.'

'I find such grave fault with it,' replied the Secretary of State, still

without looking up, 'that I would amend it by casting it into the
flames
'I find such grave fault with it,' replied the Secretary of State, still
without looking up, 'that I would amend it by casting it into the
flames. Lady Lake, it is my duty to warn you. This is a fearful crime
you would commit, and severely punishable by the law. You may excuse it
to yourself, because you have an end in view which seems to justify the
means; but the excuse will not avail you with others. You have said that
in a conflict with one so cunning and unscrupulous as our noble
son-in-law, you are compelled to fight him with his own weapons--to meet
trick with trick, manoevre with manoeuvre; but take my word for it, you
would more easily defeat him by straight-forward means. Be ruled by me
in this one instance. Abandon a scheme which must inevitably lead to
consequences I shudder to contemplate; and let this fabricated
confession be destroyed.'

No arrangement had been attempted in the interim, though abundant

opportunities of doing so were afforded her, as Sir Francis Mitchell
visited the Three Cranes almost daily
No arrangement had been attempted in the interim, though abundant
opportunities of doing so were afforded her, as Sir Francis Mitchell
visited the Three Cranes almost daily. She appeared to treat the matter
very lightly, always putting it off when mentioned; and even towards the
last seemed quite unconcerned, as if entertaining no fear of the result.
Apparently, everything went on just as usual, and no one would have
supposed, from Madame Bonaventure"s manner, that she was aware of the
possibility of a mine being sprung beneath her feet. Perhaps she fancied
she had countermined her opponents, and so felt secure. Her indifference
puzzled Sir Francis, who knew not whether to attribute it to
insensibility or over-confidence. He was curious to see how she would
conduct herself when the crisis came; and for that purpose repaired to
the tavern, about dinner-time, on the appointed day.

It was no easy task to carry out the order; but the promoter managed to

accomplish it
It was no easy task to carry out the order; but the promoter managed to
accomplish it. Single-handed he drove back all who opposed his progress,
while the two prisoners were borne towards the door by the men having
them in custody.

But to prevent any possible miscarriage of their plans, Bob wrote his

discoveries to Mr
But to prevent any possible miscarriage of their plans, Bob wrote his
discoveries to Mr. Nichols, mailing the letter before he left Red Top.
These details attended to, Ford borrowed a horse for Bob, and they set
out for the home ranch, which they reached in due course.

Dearly did Bob love pork and beans, but only occasionally had his

guardian provided them, and then in such small quantities that the boy
had never been able to eat all he wanted, and oftentimes had he
promised himself that some day he would have his fill
Dearly did Bob love pork and beans, but only occasionally had his
guardian provided them, and then in such small quantities that the boy
had never been able to eat all he wanted, and oftentimes had he
promised himself that some day he would have his fill. Consequently, as
he read the sign, he determined to gratify his desire, and timidly
entered the restaurant, where there were stools in front of a high
counter and tables along the wall, upon which stood an array of food
that amazed him, accustomed, as he had been, to living on almost
nothing.

'"Sdeath! villain, but thou _shalt_, or thou shalt never taste wine

more
'"Sdeath! villain, but thou _shalt_, or thou shalt never taste wine
more. Down with it, man! And now your signature to this paper?'

The boy"s relief was so great at finding the savage beast did not

attempt to tear him limb from limb that he failed to notice the door of
the red-roofed cabin open and a grizzled head emerge
The boy"s relief was so great at finding the savage beast did not
attempt to tear him limb from limb that he failed to notice the door of
the red-roofed cabin open and a grizzled head emerge.

So hostile was the grocer"s manner becoming, and with such increasing

suspicion did he view his inquisitor, that Foster realized it would be
necessary to explain Bob"s predicament were he to be able to help him,
and briefly he told the story that had been repeated in the police
station
So hostile was the grocer"s manner becoming, and with such increasing
suspicion did he view his inquisitor, that Foster realized it would be
necessary to explain Bob"s predicament were he to be able to help him,
and briefly he told the story that had been repeated in the police
station.

Fearing that if he hurried too fast through the dismal corridors of the

court building he might arouse suspicion and get into more trouble, Bob
restrained his impulse to break into a run, and endeavored to walk as
unconcernedly as possible
Fearing that if he hurried too fast through the dismal corridors of the
court building he might arouse suspicion and get into more trouble, Bob
restrained his impulse to break into a run, and endeavored to walk as
unconcernedly as possible. But it was with a feeling of vast relief that
he stepped forth from the stone portal and again breathed the free air
of the street.

The magistrate immediately despatched two of the constables, with strict

injunctions! to secure her, if possible
The magistrate immediately despatched two of the constables, with strict
injunctions! to secure her, if possible.

Little was said by the two young persons, as they slowly paced the

terrace
Little was said by the two young persons, as they slowly paced the
terrace. Both felt embarrassed: Jocelyn longing to give utterance to his
feelings, but restrained by timidity--Aveline trembling lest more might
be said than she ought to hear, or if obliged to hear, than she could
rightly answer. Thus they walked on in silence. But it was a silence
more eloquent than words, since each comprehended what the other felt.
How much they would have said was proclaimed by the impossibility they
found of saying anything!

'Ay! but I won"t suppose that, till you lay your right hand on your

heart, and declare as an honest man, that--tut, man--this is nonsense
'Ay! but I won"t suppose that, till you lay your right hand on your
heart, and declare as an honest man, that--tut, man--this is nonsense.
Meehaul, go home--I would rather there was friendship between us.'

'Well, I suppose you know your own business, but taking it all in all,

if I was you, I think I"d stay East among people I knew, and whose ways
I was used to
'Well, I suppose you know your own business, but taking it all in all,
if I was you, I think I"d stay East among people I knew, and whose ways
I was used to.'

'Your rash vehemence will undo you, if you take not heed

'Your rash vehemence will undo you, if you take not heed. Beyond
question, Sir Giles hath the king"s sanction for what he does, and to
censure him as you have done is to censure the Crown, which is next to
treason. Be ruled by me, my good young Sir, and meddle no more in the
matter.'

'A dollar? What do you mean?' exclaimed one of the two men whom Bob

beheld standing outside the cell door, staring at him through the bars
'A dollar? What do you mean?' exclaimed one of the two men whom Bob
beheld standing outside the cell door, staring at him through the bars.
'You had seven hundred and fifty dollars of that countryman"s money,
didn"t you?'

'I now see the reason why her face has been covered with a "kerchief,'

cried Lady Lake
'I now see the reason why her face has been covered with a "kerchief,'
cried Lady Lake. 'But it shall not save her from our scrutiny.'

The sight of their stern, unemotional employer weeping like a woman over

Bob astounded the cowboys, and eagerly they closed around him, though
they were too impressed by the scene to speak
The sight of their stern, unemotional employer weeping like a woman over
Bob astounded the cowboys, and eagerly they closed around him, though
they were too impressed by the scene to speak.

'Something tells" me, sir,' replied the stranger, 'that this young man

is as innocent of the robbery as the child unborn
'Something tells" me, sir,' replied the stranger, 'that this young man
is as innocent of the robbery as the child unborn. It"s not my intention
ever to think of prosecuting him. What I have done in the matter was
against my own wishes.'

The countryman"s suggestion that he be intrusted with the money aroused

Bob"s suspicion, for he remembered that the others had placed five
hundred dollars in the envelope, and he thought it was a scheme on the
part of Simpkins to get possession of this money
The countryman"s suggestion that he be intrusted with the money aroused
Bob"s suspicion, for he remembered that the others had placed five
hundred dollars in the envelope, and he thought it was a scheme on the
part of Simpkins to get possession of this money. So that after this
interchange of words, both lapsed into silence.

'Good boy,' chorused the train crew, all of whom realized too well the

danger to which the boy had been subjected
'Good boy,' chorused the train crew, all of whom realized too well the
danger to which the boy had been subjected.

And as the command was given, he and his troop made a sudden dash upon

the "prentices, who, unable to stand against the bills levelled against
their breasts, gave way
And as the command was given, he and his troop made a sudden dash upon
the "prentices, who, unable to stand against the bills levelled against
their breasts, gave way. Still, the gallant youths were by no means
routed. Instantly closing upon their opponents, and being quite as
nimble of foot as they, they contrived to cut off their retreat from the
garden; and a sharp conflict took place between the parties, as they
came to close quarters near the entrance. Three of the myrmidons were
felled by Dick Taverner"s cudgel; and at last, watching his opportunity,
with both hands he launched a bowl which he had picked up at Sir Giles"s
head. If the missile had taken effect, the fight would have been over;
but the knight avoided the blow by stooping down, and the bowl, passing
over him, hit Lupo Vulp full in the stomach, and brought him to the
ground deprived of breath. Meanwhile, Sir Giles, springing quickly
forward, pinned the apprentice against the wall with his rapier"s point.

'Well, if you want to get a plain car, you want to go over to Weehawken

and buy your ticket over the West Shore railroad
'Well, if you want to get a plain car, you want to go over to Weehawken
and buy your ticket over the West Shore railroad.'

As the citizens saw Bob"s pursuers return captives they were amazed, and

when they learned the reason they expressed in no uncertain terms their
anger at having been made to chase an innocent boy
As the citizens saw Bob"s pursuers return captives they were amazed, and
when they learned the reason they expressed in no uncertain terms their
anger at having been made to chase an innocent boy.

When Nell passed away from Lamh Laudher, who would fain have flattered

himself that by turning back on the way, until she passed him, he had
avoided meeting her, he once more sought the place of appointment, at
the same slow pace as before
When Nell passed away from Lamh Laudher, who would fain have flattered
himself that by turning back on the way, until she passed him, he had
avoided meeting her, he once more sought the place of appointment, at
the same slow pace as before. On arriving behind the orchard, he found,
as the progress of the evening told him, that he had anticipated the
hour at which it had been agreed to meet. He accordingly descended the
Grassy Quarry, and sat on a mossy ledge of rock, over which the brow of
a little precipice jutted in such a manner as to render those who sat
beneath, visible only from a particular point. Here he had scarcely
seated himself when the tread of a foot was heard, and in a few minutes
Nanse M"Collum stood beside him.

With dismay and a feeling of foreboding, Bob watched the conductor go

from his car with the precious pass
With dismay and a feeling of foreboding, Bob watched the conductor go
from his car with the precious pass. He dared not protest; indeed, the
thought of the proper way to make an objection did not occur to him. In
fact, he did not know that he could do so, and his own temerity in
calling attention to the fact that it was made out had startled him. But
bitterly did he rue his suggestion that the conductor keep the
all-important paper until he was satisfied as to its genuineness.

The car in which Bob found himself was upholstered in dark green, and

the woodwork was of polished mahogany
The car in which Bob found himself was upholstered in dark green, and
the woodwork was of polished mahogany. Never had he seen anything so
magnificent, and as he sank into a high-back seat, he uttered a sigh of
contentment.

To one or two of his firm friends, the ranchman introduced Bob, and

sincere were their expressions of delight both at meeting him and in
knowing that he was to come into his own
To one or two of his firm friends, the ranchman introduced Bob, and
sincere were their expressions of delight both at meeting him and in
knowing that he was to come into his own. Ford, however, swore them to
silence, for there were some of the townsfolk who had supported Dardus
in his lawsuit, and neither the ranchman nor Bob wished a word of his
presence to leak out till they had perfected their plans for bringing
the dishonest guardian to book.

All of a tremble at his narrow escape from falling under the car, Bob

was trying to recover his self-control before getting down from his
precarious position, when he was startled to hear a voice exclaim:

While this was passing, Sir Giles was engaged in giving directions

respecting his partner, whose inebriate condition greatly scandalized
him; and it was in pursuance of his orders that Sir Francis was
transported to the wharf where the misadventure before related befel
him
While this was passing, Sir Giles was engaged in giving directions
respecting his partner, whose inebriate condition greatly scandalized
him; and it was in pursuance of his orders that Sir Francis was
transported to the wharf where the misadventure before related befel
him. Never for a moment did Sir Giles" watchful eye quit Jocelyn, upon
whom he was ready to pounce like a tiger, if the young man made any
movement to depart; and he only waited till the tavern should be clear
of company to effect the seizure.

'Your rash vehemence will undo you, if you take not heed

'Your rash vehemence will undo you, if you take not heed. Beyond
question, Sir Giles hath the king"s sanction for what he does, and to
censure him as you have done is to censure the Crown, which is next to
treason. Be ruled by me, my good young Sir, and meddle no more in the
matter.'

'Well, Chester, what have you to say for yourself?' demanded the judge,

directing a glance at the boy, as though he would pierce his very soul
'Well, Chester, what have you to say for yourself?' demanded the judge,
directing a glance at the boy, as though he would pierce his very soul.
'Are you guilty, or not guilty?'

But Sir Giles was further served, though unintentionally, by Madame

Bonaventure, who succeeded in drawing back the rusty bolt at the very
moment he came up; and no impediment now existing, the knight thrust her
rudely aside, and sprang through the doorway just as Jocelyn leaped from
the wall
But Sir Giles was further served, though unintentionally, by Madame
Bonaventure, who succeeded in drawing back the rusty bolt at the very
moment he came up; and no impediment now existing, the knight thrust her
rudely aside, and sprang through the doorway just as Jocelyn leaped from
the wall.

'We will watch an" wait--but I"ll finish him

'We will watch an" wait--but I"ll finish him. Tell me, Nell--fury of
hell, woman--can it be possible--no--well--I"ll murder him, though;
but can it be possible that she"s guilty? eh? She wouldn"t prosecute
him--No--no--she would not.'

'By my halidame! he shall have reason for congratulation,' cried James,

graciously regarding the young man
'By my halidame! he shall have reason for congratulation,' cried James,
graciously regarding the young man.

'John,' said the old man, now in tears, 'will you refuse me? You are my

only son, my only child, an" I cannot lose you
'John,' said the old man, now in tears, 'will you refuse me? You are my
only son, my only child, an" I cannot lose you. Your name is cleared.'

'It is false, my lord Marquis,' Jocelyn replied

'It is false, my lord Marquis,' Jocelyn replied. 'His Majesty hath not a
more loyal subject than myself. I would cut out my tongue rather than
speak against him. I have said the King is ill served in such officers
as Giles Mompesson and Sir Francis Mitchell, and I abide by my words.
They can reflect no dishonour on his Majesty.'

'My name, I see, awakens unpleasant associations in your breast,' he

said; 'and your look shows you have been influenced by the calumnies of
my enemies
'My name, I see, awakens unpleasant associations in your breast,' he
said; 'and your look shows you have been influenced by the calumnies of
my enemies. I do not blame you. Men can only be judged of by report; and
those I have had dealings with have reported ill enough of me. But they
have spoken falsely. I have done no more than any other person would do.
I have obtained the best interest I could for my money; and my losses
have been almost equal to my gains. Folks are ready enough to tell all
they can against you; but slow to mention aught they conceive to be in
your favour. They stigmatize me as a usurer; but they forget to add, I
am ever the friend of those in need. They use me, and abuse me. That is
the way of the world. Wherefore, then, should I complain? I am no worse
off than my neighbours. And the proof that I can be disinterested is the
way in which I have acted towards you, a perfect stranger, and who have
no other recommendation to my good offices than your gracious mien and
gentle manners.'

The countryman"s suggestion that he be intrusted with the money aroused

Bob"s suspicion, for he remembered that the others had placed five
hundred dollars in the envelope, and he thought it was a scheme on the
part of Simpkins to get possession of this money
The countryman"s suggestion that he be intrusted with the money aroused
Bob"s suspicion, for he remembered that the others had placed five
hundred dollars in the envelope, and he thought it was a scheme on the
part of Simpkins to get possession of this money. So that after this
interchange of words, both lapsed into silence.

'Let him be,' he cried

'Let him be,' he cried. 'He is some puir demented creature fitter for
Bedlam than anywhere else; and we will see that he be sent thither; but
molest him not till we hae spoken wi" him, and certified his condition
more fully. Quit not the position ye hae sae judiciously occupied, young
Sir, albeit against our orders,' he cried to Jocelyn. 'Dinna draw your
blade unless the fellow seeks to come till us. Not that we are under ony
apprehension; but there are bluidthirsty traitors even in our pacific
territories, and as this may be ane of them, it is weel not to neglect
due precaution. And now, man,' he added, raising his voice, and
addressing the Puritan, who still maintained a steadfast and unmoved
demeanour, with his eye constantly fixed upon his interrogator. 'Ye say
ye are a messenger frae heaven. An it be sae,--whilk we take leave to
doubt, rather conceiving ye to be an envoy from the Prince of Darkness
than an ambassador from above,--an ill choice hath been made in ye. Unto
what order of prophets do ye conceive yourself to belong?'

'Ye are right, Count,' rejoined James cautiously

'Ye are right, Count,' rejoined James cautiously. 'He hath the strongest
claim upon us, and he shall not find us ungrateful. We will confer wi"
Steenie--wi" Buckingham, we mean--about him.'

Not the least, however, of the attractions of the Three Cranes, was the

hostess herself
Not the least, however, of the attractions of the Three Cranes, was the
hostess herself. A lively little brunette was Madame Bonaventure, still
young, or, at all events, very far from being old; with extremely fine
teeth, which she was fond of displaying, and a remarkably neat ancle,
which she felt no inclination to hide beneath the sweep of her round
circling farthingale. Her figure was quite that of a miniature Venus;
and as, like most of her country-women, she understood the art of dress
to admiration, she set off her person to the best advantage; always
attiring herself in a style, and in colours, that suited her, and never
indulging in an unwarrantable extravagance of ruff, or absurd and
unbecoming length of peaked boddice. As to the stuffs she wore, they
were certainly above her station, for no Court dame could boast of
richer silks than those in which the pretty Dameris appeared on fete
days; and this was accounted for by reason that the good skipper seldom
returned from a trip to France without bringing his wife a piece of
silk, brocade, or velvet from Lyons; or some little matter from Paris,
such as a ruff, cuff, partlet, bandlet, or fillet. Thus the last French
mode might be seen at the Three Crowns, displayed by the hostess, as
well as the last French _entremet_ at its table; since, among other
important accessories to the well-doing of the house, Madame Bonaventure
kept a _chef de cuisine_--one of her compatriots--of such superlative
skill, that in later times he must infallibly have been distinguished as
a _cordon bleu_.

'I"m glad of that

'I"m glad of that. Now, you sit here a few minutes, and I"ll put up a
lunch for you, and then you won"t have to buy any food while you are on
the train. They always charge a lot more on trains or in station
restaurants than they ought to.'

Sir Giles glanced at his myrmidons

Sir Giles glanced at his myrmidons. They stepped quickly towards him in
a body. At the same time Jocelyn Mounchensey, whom no efforts of the
friendly gentleman could now restrain, sprang forward, and, drawing his
sword, was just in time to place himself before Madame Bonaventure, as
she drew hastily back.

This, indeed, was the severest trial that Lamh Laudher had yet

sustained
This, indeed, was the severest trial that Lamh Laudher had yet
sustained. With all the force of an affection as strong and tender as
it was enduring and disinterested, she urged him to relinquish his
determination to meet the Dead Boxer on the following day. John soothed
her, chid her, and even bantered her, as a cowardly girl, unworthy of
being the sister of Meehaul Neil, but to her, as well as to all others
who had attempted to change his purpose, he was immovable. No; the
sense of his disgrace had sunk too deep into his heart, and the random
allusions just made by Ellen herself to the Dead Boxer"s villainy, but
the more inflamed his resentment against him.

This constant suggestion that he was running away angered the boy, and

he determined to put an end to it
This constant suggestion that he was running away angered the boy, and
he determined to put an end to it.

'Yellow"s givin" it to you straight,' asserted Shorty Flinn

'Yellow"s givin" it to you straight,' asserted Shorty Flinn. 'There"s
some folks ain"t never happy unless they"re makin" others onhappy.'

'_You_ get a pass! Say, are you crazy? Only the general managers and the

other high officers travel on passes
'_You_ get a pass! Say, are you crazy? Only the general managers and the
other high officers travel on passes.'

While the unhappy lady thus unavailingly deplored the sad position in

which her own misconduct had placed her, and from which she felt wholly
incapable of extricating herself; while in this wretched frame of mind,
she awaited her lover"s return,--with, as we have shown, some remains of
good struggling with the evil in her bosom,--we will cast a hasty glance
round the chamber in which she sat
While the unhappy lady thus unavailingly deplored the sad position in
which her own misconduct had placed her, and from which she felt wholly
incapable of extricating herself; while in this wretched frame of mind,
she awaited her lover"s return,--with, as we have shown, some remains of
good struggling with the evil in her bosom,--we will cast a hasty glance
round the chamber in which she sat. And we are prompted to do this, not
because it merits particular description, but because it was the room
referred to by Lady Lake as the scene of the confession she had forged.

'As you please--peace or war; it is the same to me,' said Lord Roos

'As you please--peace or war; it is the same to me,' said Lord Roos.
'Meantime, I am wearied of this scene, and must put an end to it.
Diego!' And beckoning his servant to him, he whispered some directions
in his ear.

'Ay, ay! it"s fine spakin": but you don"t know the hand you talk of

'Ay, ay! it"s fine spakin": but you don"t know the hand you talk of.
It"s one that you had better avoid than meet. It"s the strong hand, an"
the dangerous one when vexed. You know Lamh Laudher Oge?'

For a moment after this terrible alternative was pronounced there was

silence and the conspirators made no move
For a moment after this terrible alternative was pronounced there was
silence and the conspirators made no move. Then one by one they stood
up, glowering with awful hatred at Bob.

'Now don"t go turning on the sympathy,' growled the sergeant

'Now don"t go turning on the sympathy,' growled the sergeant. 'I don"t
care whether the boy is guilty or not. All I know is that we have got to
make a case against him. It would never do to have it said that two
sharpers could rob a countryman in broad daylight in our precinct.
Haven"t our reports to headquarters said, and haven"t the papers said,
that our precinct has been free from all such crimes for more than six
months, and this is one of the rawest swindles that has been worked for
a long time. So you two get busy and fix up your case if you want to
stay in this precinct. If you don"t, I"ll tell the captain and the
inspector, and you will be sorry.'

When the festive throng reached the village, all its inhabitants--male

and female, old and young--rushed forth to greet them; and such as were
able to leave their dwellings for a short while joined in the
procession, at the head of which, of course, was borne the May-pole
When the festive throng reached the village, all its inhabitants--male
and female, old and young--rushed forth to greet them; and such as were
able to leave their dwellings for a short while joined in the
procession, at the head of which, of course, was borne the May-pole.
After it, came a band of young men, armed with the necessary implements
for planting the shaft in the ground; and after them a troop of maidens,
bearing bundles of rushes. Next came the minstrels, playing merrily on
tabor, fife, sacbut, rebec, and tambourine. Then followed the Queen of
the May, walking by herself,--a rustic beauty, hight Gillian
Greenford,--fancifully and prettily arrayed for the occasion, and
attended, at a little distance, by Robin Hood, Maid Marian, Friar Tuck,
the Hobby-horse, and a band of morrice-dancers. Then came the crowd,
pellmell, laughing, shouting, and huzzaing,--most of the young men and
women bearing green branches of birch and other trees in their hands.

'But I say yes, yes, with great respect to you, sir,' observed Lamh

Laudher
'But I say yes, yes, with great respect to you, sir,' observed Lamh
Laudher. 'I"ve been banished from my father"s house, and treated with
scorn by all that know me, because they think me a coward. Now I"ll let
them know I"m no coward.'

'I did not, John--I did not; and if I did, think of your own words at

our meetin" in the Quarry; it was a small suspicion, though--no more
'I did not, John--I did not; and if I did, think of your own words at
our meetin" in the Quarry; it was a small suspicion, though--no more.
No, no; at heart I never doubted you.'

'In my turn I bend to you, William,' said the Countess, sinking on her

knee before him, and taking his hand
'In my turn I bend to you, William,' said the Countess, sinking on her
knee before him, and taking his hand. 'By the love you bear me, I
beseech you not to harm your wife! We have wronged her deeply--let us
not have her death to answer for. If the blow _must_ fall, let it be
upon the mother"s head. I have less compassion for her.'

'You had not escaped on that occasion, but for my connivance, Master

Jocelyn,' the man in the mask rejoined
'You had not escaped on that occasion, but for my connivance, Master
Jocelyn,' the man in the mask rejoined. 'Now, hear me. I am willing to
befriend you on certain conditions; and, to prove my sincerity, I engage
you shall go free if you accept them.'

'Damnation!' exclaimed Lord Roos

'Damnation!' exclaimed Lord Roos. 'What brings them here at such an
hour? But you must on no account admit them, Diego--at least, till I
have had time to remove the Countess to her own chamber. What a cursed
mischance!'

'I drink that toast most heartily, worthy Sir,' the young man exclaimed,

raising his beaded flagon on high
'I drink that toast most heartily, worthy Sir,' the young man exclaimed,
raising his beaded flagon on high. 'Confusion to my Enemies--Restoration
to my Rights!'

Incensed at his perversity, and determined to extort a full confession,

in order that it might be laid before the King, the serjeant-at-arms
ordered the manacles to be applied
Incensed at his perversity, and determined to extort a full confession,
in order that it might be laid before the King, the serjeant-at-arms
ordered the manacles to be applied. But though the torture was
exquisite, he bore it with firmness, and without uttering a groan;
maintaining the same determined silence as before. Had he dared, Master
Dendy would have had recourse to severer measures; but having no warrant
for any such proceeding, he was obliged to content himself with threats.
To these Hugh Calveley replied by a grim smile of contempt; but as the
serjeant-at-arms was departing to make his report to Sir Thomas Lake, he
said, 'I have something to disclose; but it is for the King"s ear
alone.'

Not having heard the words uttered by Bob, the agent"s inference that

the boy was disappointed at finding no one to meet him, was natural
Not having heard the words uttered by Bob, the agent"s inference that
the boy was disappointed at finding no one to meet him, was natural. But
Bob soon disillusioned him.

And graciously saluting Madame Bonaventure, he quitted the tavern

accompanied by a large train, and entering his barge amid the
acclamations of the spectators, was rowed towards Whitehall
And graciously saluting Madame Bonaventure, he quitted the tavern
accompanied by a large train, and entering his barge amid the
acclamations of the spectators, was rowed towards Whitehall.

Never had the boy been on a ferryboat at night, and the spectacle

presented by the brilliantly lighted buildings filled him with wonder
Never had the boy been on a ferryboat at night, and the spectacle
presented by the brilliantly lighted buildings filled him with wonder.
Fortunate was it for him that he was so enthralled, for the boat had
bumped into her slip and the people were rushing ashore before he had
time to realize that he was leaving behind all he had ever known of a
home.

'Bear with him, worthy friends,' he cried, 'he means you well, though he

may reprove you somewhat too sharply
'Bear with him, worthy friends,' he cried, 'he means you well, though he
may reprove you somewhat too sharply.'

At the words proclaiming the conductor"s evident anxiety over how Bob

felt toward him, they all laughed
At the words proclaiming the conductor"s evident anxiety over how Bob
felt toward him, they all laughed.

But Sir Giles continued perfectly unmoved by the tempest raging around,

and laughed to scorn these menaces, contenting himself with signing to
Captain Bludder to be in readiness
But Sir Giles continued perfectly unmoved by the tempest raging around,
and laughed to scorn these menaces, contenting himself with signing to
Captain Bludder to be in readiness.

Drawing rein, Bob dismounted at the store, went inside and asked where

he could find out who owned property in the town fifteen years ago
Drawing rein, Bob dismounted at the store, went inside and asked where
he could find out who owned property in the town fifteen years ago.

'That"s hard,' replied Lamh Laudher, drawing his breath tightly; 'but

I know where it comes from
'That"s hard,' replied Lamh Laudher, drawing his breath tightly; 'but
I know where it comes from. I think your father might be softened a
little, ay, a great deal, if it wasn"t for your brother Meehaul.'

While he was speaking, Thomas had taken Bob"s lariat, which hung from

the pommel of his saddle, and drawing the noose small had slipped it
over his pony"s right hoof
While he was speaking, Thomas had taken Bob"s lariat, which hung from
the pommel of his saddle, and drawing the noose small had slipped it
over his pony"s right hoof.

Sir Francis then cast a look round to ascertain who were present; but he

was so inconveniently situated, and the crowd of serving-men was so
great at the upper table, that he could only imperfectly distinguish
those seated at it; besides which, most of the guests were hidden by the
traverse
Sir Francis then cast a look round to ascertain who were present; but he
was so inconveniently situated, and the crowd of serving-men was so
great at the upper table, that he could only imperfectly distinguish
those seated at it; besides which, most of the guests were hidden by the
traverse. Such, however, as he could make out were richly attired in
doublets of silk and satin, while their rich velvet mantles, plumed and
jewelled caps, and long rapiers, were carried by their servants.

From the remarks, Bob could see plainly that the officious conductor was

not popular, and he was wondering whether or not he was expected to
make any comment, when Hosmer said, his face suffused with a look of
glee:

'I told you so,' grunted the policeman, but further comment was

interrupted by the actions of Simpkins
'I told you so,' grunted the policeman, but further comment was
interrupted by the actions of Simpkins.

'You"d better sit down,' said the official, 'because it will take a few

minutes to get it ready
'You"d better sit down,' said the official, 'because it will take a few
minutes to get it ready.'