'I wonder what it means,' said the reporter to himself

'I wonder what it means,' said the reporter to himself. 'Perhaps Bob
didn"t come back, and the old man, repenting of his refusing to go to
his ward"s assistance, is on his way either to the police station or to
the court.'

At the request of the latter, the boy related his experience at Ford"s

ranch
At the request of the latter, the boy related his experience at Ford"s
ranch. As he did so, the agent looked at him with an expression of
mingled amazement and approval, and as the story was finished,
exclaimed:

As the last piece of food was devoured, the man reached down, put the

cover on the box, folded the paper, wrapped up the box and set it on the
floor, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, then exclaimed:

Meehaul now directed his steps homewards, literally stunned by the

unexpected cowardice of his enemy
Meehaul now directed his steps homewards, literally stunned by the
unexpected cowardice of his enemy. On approaching his father"s door, he
found Nell M"Collum seated on a stone bench, waiting his arrival.
The moment she espied him she sprang to her feet, and with her usual
eagerness of manner, caught the breast of his coat, and turning him
round towards the moonlight, looked eagerly into his face.

'_Now_ will you try to get fresh with a tenderfoot?' asked one of the

others when their laughter at Bob"s sharp rejoinder had subsided
'_Now_ will you try to get fresh with a tenderfoot?' asked one of the
others when their laughter at Bob"s sharp rejoinder had subsided.

But having, as yet, omitted the principal figure, we must hasten to

describe him by whom the party was headed
But having, as yet, omitted the principal figure, we must hasten to
describe him by whom the party was headed. The King, then, was mounted
on a superb milk-white steed, with wide-flowing mane and tail, and of
the easiest and gentlest pace. Its colour was set off by its red
chanfrein, its nodding crest of red feathers, its broad poitrinal with
red tassels, and its saddle with red housings. Though devoted to the
chase, as we have shown, James was but an indifferent horseman; and his
safety in the saddle was assured by such high-bolstered bows in front
and at the back, that it seemed next to impossible he could be shaken
out of them. Yet, in spite of all these precautions, accidents had
befallen him. On one occasion, Sir Symonds D"Ewes relates that he was
thrown headlong into a pond; and on another, we learn from a different
source that he was cast over his horse"s head into the New River, and
narrowly escaped drowning, his boots alone being visible above the ice
covering the stream. Moreover the monarch"s attire was excessively stiff
and cumbrous, and this, while it added to the natural ungainliness of
his person, prevented all freedom of movement, especially on horseback.
His doublet, which on the present occasion was of green velvet,
considerably frayed,--for he was by no means particular about the
newness of his apparel,--was padded and quilted so as to be
dagger-proof; and his hose were stuffed in the same manner, and
preposterously large about the hips. Then his ruff was triple-banded,
and so stiffly starched, that the head was fixed immovably amidst its
plaits.

The young lady was Mistress Aveline Calveley, his informant said, only

child of Master Hugh Calveley, who had but lately come to dwell in
Tottenham, and of whom little was known, save that he was understood to
have fought at the battle of Langside, and served with great bravery,
under Essex, both in Spain and in Ireland, in the times of good Queen
Bess--such times as England would never see again, the old farmer
parenthetically remarked, with a shake of the head
The young lady was Mistress Aveline Calveley, his informant said, only
child of Master Hugh Calveley, who had but lately come to dwell in
Tottenham, and of whom little was known, save that he was understood to
have fought at the battle of Langside, and served with great bravery,
under Essex, both in Spain and in Ireland, in the times of good Queen
Bess--such times as England would never see again, the old farmer
parenthetically remarked, with a shake of the head. Master Hugh
Calveley, he went on to say, was a strict Puritan, austere in his life,
and morose in manner; an open railer against the licence of the times,
and the profligacy of the court minions,--in consequence of which he had
more than once got himself into trouble. He abhorred all such sports as
were now going forward; and had successfully interfered with the parish
priest, Sir Onesimus, who was somewhat of a precisian himself, to
prevent the setting up the May-pole on the past Sunday,--for which, the
farmer added, some of the young folks owe him a grudge; and he expressed
a hope, at the same time, that the day might pass by without any
exhibition being made of their ill-will towards him.

All the while, he had been steadily looking into the dog"s eyes, and

just as the creature was upon him the same power that had urged him to
come to the Ford ranch seemed to tell him to speak to the animal
All the while, he had been steadily looking into the dog"s eyes, and
just as the creature was upon him the same power that had urged him to
come to the Ford ranch seemed to tell him to speak to the animal.

Brookleigh understood him; but the last assertion, though it exonerated

him in the opinion of a man who knew something about character, went far
in that of his friends who were present to establish his guilt
Brookleigh understood him; but the last assertion, though it exonerated
him in the opinion of a man who knew something about character, went far
in that of his friends who were present to establish his guilt.

'You hear what this man says, Mounchensey?' Sir Giles cried

'You hear what this man says, Mounchensey?' Sir Giles cried. 'You have
been guilty of the same offence as he. Why should you not be similarly
punished?'

And Bob described the location of the apartment house where he expected

to find Mrs
And Bob described the location of the apartment house where he expected
to find Mrs. Cameron, the sister of the waitress who had been so kind to
him.

'You reporters are certainly good ones at putting up a plausible story,'

retorted the officer contemptuously
'You reporters are certainly good ones at putting up a plausible story,'
retorted the officer contemptuously.

'Say! how long do you think you can stay here eating, or are you hoping

that you will get a chance to sneak off without paying me? But that game
won"t work
'Say! how long do you think you can stay here eating, or are you hoping
that you will get a chance to sneak off without paying me? But that game
won"t work. I"m too wise to get caught by any trick like that. So just
come across with the price of your feed.'

'Then wherefore persist in troubling me?' rejoined Hugh Calveley

'Then wherefore persist in troubling me?' rejoined Hugh Calveley. 'Have
I not good cause for my dislike of you? You have disappointed the
expectations I had formed of you. You failed me when I put your
professions to the test. You thwarted my design at the moment when its
success was certain, and when the tyrant was completely in my power. But
for you I should not be here, loaded with these fetters; or if I were, I
should be consoled by the thought that I had liberated my country from
oppression, instead of being crushed by the sense of failure. What seek
you from me, miserable time-server? Have you not had your reward for the
service you have rendered the King? Is he not grateful enough? I have
served as your stepping-stone to promotion. What more can I do?'

'_Dher ma chorp_,' they exclaimed with astonishment, 'but Lamh Laudher"s

afeard of him!--the _garran bane"s_ in him, now that he finds he has met
his match
'_Dher ma chorp_,' they exclaimed with astonishment, 'but Lamh Laudher"s
afeard of him!--the _garran bane"s_ in him, now that he finds he has met
his match.'

But Hugh Calveley regarded him with cold disdain, and though he moved

not his lips, he seemed to say, 'You have destroyed me; and I will not
remove the guilt of my destruction from your head
But Hugh Calveley regarded him with cold disdain, and though he moved
not his lips, he seemed to say, 'You have destroyed me; and I will not
remove the guilt of my destruction from your head.'

Amongst the foremost of those who thus obstructed Sir Francis and his

party was a young man with a lithe active figure, bright black eyes,
full of liveliness and malice, an olive complexion, and a gipsy-like
cast of countenance
Amongst the foremost of those who thus obstructed Sir Francis and his
party was a young man with a lithe active figure, bright black eyes,
full of liveliness and malice, an olive complexion, and a gipsy-like
cast of countenance. Attired in a tight-fitting brown frieze jerkin with
stone buttons, and purple hose, his head was covered with a montero cap,
with a cock"s feather stuck in it. He was armed neither with sword nor
dagger, but carried a large cudgel or club, the well-known and
formidable weapon, of the London "prentices, in the use of which,
whether as a quarterstaff or missile, they were remarkably expert. Even
a skilful swordsman stood but poor chance with them. Besides this
saucy-looking personage, who was addressed as Dick Taverner by his
comrades, there were many others, who, to judge from their habiliments
and their cudgels, belonged to the same fraternity as himself; that is
to say, they were apprentices to grocers, drapers, haberdashers,
skinners, ironmongers, vintners, or other respectable artificers or
tradesfolk.

Eager to begin Western life, Bob quickly took off his new suit and put

on a pair of the corduroy trousers and one of the blue flannel shirts
Mr
Eager to begin Western life, Bob quickly took off his new suit and put
on a pair of the corduroy trousers and one of the blue flannel shirts
Mr. Nichols had bought him and then proudly placed on his head a
sombrero.

'Hands up!' commanded Ford

'Hands up!' commanded Ford. 'That"s the way! Now, boys, take their guns
and knives, then bind their hands behind their backs and each carry one
behind you. We"re going to take them to Red Top jail.'

Bob"s first impulse was to flee, but such tremendous leaps did the

creature take that he realized it would be only a few minutes before the
dog would overtake him
Bob"s first impulse was to flee, but such tremendous leaps did the
creature take that he realized it would be only a few minutes before the
dog would overtake him. Then it flashed through his mind that this might
be the ranchman"s way of 'trying out' strangers who came to his door,
and the boy determined to stand his ground.

The spot selected for the May-pole was a piece of green sward in the

centre of the village, surrounded by picturesque habitations, and
having, on one side of it, the ancient Cross
The spot selected for the May-pole was a piece of green sward in the
centre of the village, surrounded by picturesque habitations, and
having, on one side of it, the ancient Cross. The latter, however, was
but the remnant of the antique structure, the cross having been robbed
of its upper angular bar, and otherwise mutilated, at the time of the
Reformation, and it was now nothing more than a high wooden pillar,
partly cased with lead to protect it from the weather, and supported by
four great spurs.

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:

And Bob described the location of the apartment house where he expected

to find Mrs
And Bob described the location of the apartment house where he expected
to find Mrs. Cameron, the sister of the waitress who had been so kind to
him.

By the time of their arrival, more trainmen were on duty, and to each

the story of Bob"s getting left had been told
By the time of their arrival, more trainmen were on duty, and to each
the story of Bob"s getting left had been told.

'Never,' replied Lord Roos, with a sudden change of manner, and laying

aside the levity he had hitherto exhibited
'Never,' replied Lord Roos, with a sudden change of manner, and laying
aside the levity he had hitherto exhibited. 'There is but one way of
ending the struggle. Luke Hatton can help us to it. Persuaded we should
require him, I have brought him with me. He waits in the hall below with
Diego. Shall I summon him to our conference?'

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.

'Well, Ellen,' replied Lamh Laudher, with a firm seriousness of manner,

'you have brought me into danger
'Well, Ellen,' replied Lamh Laudher, with a firm seriousness of manner,
'you have brought me into danger. I doubt, without knowin" it. For my
own part, I don"t care so much. Her unlucky aunt met me comin" here this
evenin", and threatened both our family and yours. I know she would sink
us into the earth if she could. Either she or your brother is at the
bottom of this business, whatever it is. Your brother I don"t fear; but
she is to be dreaded, if, all"s true that"s said about her.'

But the plucky boy saw and recognized his employer long before he heard

his reassuring words, and the sight lent him fresh strength
But the plucky boy saw and recognized his employer long before he heard
his reassuring words, and the sight lent him fresh strength.

Upon the arrival of the special car at Kansas City, the officers were

met by a messenger with instructions to have Bob taken to the offices of
the railroad company, as the vice-president wished to talk with him
Upon the arrival of the special car at Kansas City, the officers were
met by a messenger with instructions to have Bob taken to the offices of
the railroad company, as the vice-president wished to talk with him.

'What have I done?' the Puritan rejoined, speaking in a loud voice, as

if desirous that his words should reach the assemblage outside
'What have I done?' the Puritan rejoined, speaking in a loud voice, as
if desirous that his words should reach the assemblage outside. 'I have
done that which thou thyself should"st have done, Aveline. I have
signified my abhorrence of this vain ceremonial. But wherefore do I find
you here? This is no fitting sight for any discreet maiden to witness;
and little did I think that daughter of mine would encourage such
profane displays by her presence. Little did I think that you, Aveline,
would look on and smile while these ignorant and benighted folk set up
their idol, piping, dancing, and singing around it as the Gentiles did
at the dedications of their deities. For it _is_ an idol they have set
up, and they have become like the heathens, worshippers of stocks and
stones. Are we not expressly forbidden by the Holy Scriptures to make
unto ourselves idols and graven images? The sins of idolatry and
superstition will assuredly provoke the Divine displeasure, and kindle
the fire of its wrath, as they did in the days of Moses, after the
worshipping of the Golden Calf by the Israelites. Thus spake offended
Heaven:--"Let me alone that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that
I may consume them." Grievously will the Lord punish such as are guilty
of these sins, for hath He not declared, as we read in Leviticus, "I
will make your cities waste, and bring your sanctuaries to desolation?"
And be assured, O daughter, that heavy judgments will descend upon the
land, if warning be not taken in time.'

'O, recall those words, Frances!' cried the young nobleman, throwing

himself at her feet, and clasping her hands passionately
'O, recall those words, Frances!' cried the young nobleman, throwing
himself at her feet, and clasping her hands passionately. 'Recall them,
I implore" of you. In uttering them you pronounce my doom--a doom more
dreadful than death, which would be light in comparison with losing you.
Plunge this sword to my heart,' he exclaimed, plucking the shining
weapon from his side, and presenting it to her. 'Free me from my misery
at once, but do not condemn me to lingering agony.'

'There was a time,' observed the other, 'when you and I were enemies

only because our cleaveens were enemies but now there is, an" you know
it, a blacker hatred between us
'There was a time,' observed the other, 'when you and I were enemies
only because our cleaveens were enemies but now there is, an" you know
it, a blacker hatred between us.'

'It"s a mighty good thing I met Mr

'It"s a mighty good thing I met Mr. Perkins,' said Bob to himself, as he
rode back downtown on the street-car. 'If I hadn"t, I suppose I would
have been obliged to go to work until I could get enough money to take
me to Oklahoma, and it would have been an awful disappointment not to
find Mrs. Cameron. But it"s all right now; besides, I"m better off than
I would have been if she had been here, because I have a pass clear to
Fairfax, and her sister said her husband could only help me as far as
Kansas City.'

Lamh Laudher had been, as we have said, advancing slowly along the

craggy road which led towards the town, when she issued from an
adjoining cabin and approached him
Lamh Laudher had been, as we have said, advancing slowly along the
craggy road which led towards the town, when she issued from an
adjoining cabin and approached him. The moment he noticed her he stood
still, as if to let her pass and uttered one single exclamation of
chagrin and anger.

'It will be your own fault if you do not,' the tempter rejoined

'It will be your own fault if you do not,' the tempter rejoined. 'You
are equally well-favoured with the handsomest of them; and it was by
good looks alone that the whole party rose to their present eminence.
Why not pursue the same course; with the same certainty of success? You
have courage enough to undertake it, I presume?'

For a moment after the porter"s offer to act as his guide in seeing

Chicago, Bob thought he would accept it, and accordingly they left the
office together, the pass having been made out and delivered to the boy
For a moment after the porter"s offer to act as his guide in seeing
Chicago, Bob thought he would accept it, and accordingly they left the
office together, the pass having been made out and delivered to the boy.

'I saw you both--I watched you both; you left her beyond the Pedlar"s

Cairn, an" you"re now on your way home
'I saw you both--I watched you both; you left her beyond the Pedlar"s
Cairn, an" you"re now on your way home.'

The carman then related all that he knew, every word of which strongly

corroborated what Lamh Laudher had said
The carman then related all that he knew, every word of which strongly
corroborated what Lamh Laudher had said. He concluded by declaring it
to be his opinion, that the prisoner was innocent, and added, that,
according to the best of his belief, the box was not open when he left
it in the plaintiff"s sleeping-room above stairs.

'Have I ever been there? Well, son, I was there off and on for about ten

years, when the government first opened up the land, and you could
travel for miles without seeing anything but Injuns
'Have I ever been there? Well, son, I was there off and on for about ten
years, when the government first opened up the land, and you could
travel for miles without seeing anything but Injuns.'

This decided, the grizzled plainsman summoned his cowboys, explained the

situation briefly, and offered them a year"s wages for their silence,
which they promised when Bob added his entreaties
This decided, the grizzled plainsman summoned his cowboys, explained the
situation briefly, and offered them a year"s wages for their silence,
which they promised when Bob added his entreaties.

'At night, when you are on the plains, always use your saddle for a

pillow, then no one can steal it from you
'At night, when you are on the plains, always use your saddle for a
pillow, then no one can steal it from you.

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 the puzzle was too difficult for him, and he finally abandoned it to

dismount and practice the things the agent had taught him
But the puzzle was too difficult for him, and he finally abandoned it to
dismount and practice the things the agent had taught him.

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.'