MARK EVE " ARD 
 
 KNOX MAGEE
 
 MARK 
 E VER ARD 
 
 Romance 
 
 B 
 
 KNOX MAGEE 
 
 AUTHOR OF "WITH RING OF SHIELD" 
 
 R. F. FENNO fc? COMPANY 
 
 9 and n East Sixteenth Street, New York 
 
 1901
 
 COPTKIGHT, igOl 
 BY 
 
 R. F. FKNNO & COMPANY 
 
 Mark E-verard
 
 MARK EVERARD 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 " Come lasses and lads, get leave of your dads, , 
 
 And away to the May-pole hie, 
 For ev ry fair has a sweetheart there, 
 
 And the fiddler s standing by, 
 For Willy will dance with Jane 
 
 And Johnny has got his Joan, 
 To trip it, trip it, trip it, trip it, 
 
 Trip it up and down ; 
 To trip it, trip it, trip it, trip it, 
 
 Trip it up and down." 
 
 Laughter, cheers and shouts came from the crowded 
 court-yard, then couple after couple bounced into the 
 ordinary, and took hasty possession of all tables 
 and chairs they found vacant. 
 
 I was taking no part in the gayety, but was seated 
 alone, except for Toby, on whom I have always 
 looked as a kind of material shadow, whose presence 
 is understood when I speak of myself, at a small 
 table in a shadowy corner, that I might partake of 
 my wine in peace, and at the same time enjoy the 
 diversion of beholding London s highest and more 
 common citizens sport and caper like so many 
 
 3 
 
 2137247
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 buffoons at a fair. But besides the mere enjoyment 
 of gazing undisturbed upon this foolish spectacle I 
 had another and better reason for being seated where 
 I was. I wore no masque, as did all those whose 
 names were known sufficiently to cause comment, or 
 those without a name, who wore them that they 
 might be mistaken for their betters. For this I had 
 a reason : my lack of disguise was to serve in making 
 me easily watched by them that required my assist 
 ance. 
 
 The room soon became filled with those that had 
 just finished their dance for the time, and had given 
 place to another set of light-heads, who now took 
 up the song where the breath of their predecessors 
 had failed : 
 
 " You re out, says Dick, Not I, says Nick, 
 
 Twas the fiddler play d it wrong, 
 Tis true, says Hugh, and so says Sue, 
 
 And so says ev ry one ; 
 The fiddler then began 
 
 To play the tune again, 
 And ev ry girl did trip it, trip it, 
 
 Trip it to the men, 
 And ev ry girl did trip it, trip it, 
 
 Trip it to the men." 
 
 While this part of the song was going on I saw 
 the Red Masque making his way through the crowd, 
 at the same time craning his neck and peering in all 
 directions. I knew for whom he searched, so I 
 arose and stood facing him until I was sure he had 
 caught ray eye, when I reseated myself and, while 
 
 4
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 waiting his approach, Toby and I split that that 
 remained in the bottle between us. 
 
 " That s rare good stuff for a colic," said Toby, 
 with a shake of his head and a great smack of the 
 lips. 
 
 " And have you the complaint, Toby ? " I asked, 
 with a smile. 
 
 " Nay, not yet, Sir ; but I like mightily to be pre 
 pared for an emergency ; so I m glad to have tucked 
 that elixir under my belt this night, for I have a 
 notion that I shall be exposed to the contagion ere 
 morning." 
 
 " Hush ! " I said, " not so loud ; our merry Masque 
 approaches." 
 
 " His hand seems more used to silken belts then 
 sword-hilts," Toby whispered, as he watched the 
 young gentleman making his way through the crowd, 
 now stooping to kiss a laughing female s hand with 
 a great show of gallantry and easy grace, again 
 chucking another under the chin with careless 
 familiarity, and lastly, as at length he reached the 
 open space by our table, he stooped and kissed a 
 little, hooded lass fairly upon her rosy lips. The 
 maid, or whatever she was, (for in those days maidens 
 were scarce, yet spinsters abundant) took the liberty 
 with more than good grace, for as our Red Masque 
 was turning from her with a smile and a kiss of 
 his fingers, I heard her whisper through laughing 
 lips: 
 
 " How sweet, my Lord Duke ! Tis three long 
 
 5
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 days since you kissed me last at Whitehall." She 
 curled her pretty lip until it touched her masque, as 
 much as to say : " Ah ! I know you, Sir, but you 
 know me not," and ran laughing from him and van 
 ished in the crowd. 
 
 The Red Masque started in surprise. He seemed 
 to like it not that he was known, for he stood staring 
 after the nimble lass, biting his lip the while. Then 
 he shook his head and turned to me. He seemed ex 
 cited and ill at ease, for he glanced to right and 
 left suspiciously, then put a trembling hand upon 
 my shoulder. 
 
 " We may not talk here," he said hurriedly. 
 " Let us withdraw to a private chamber, for that that 
 I have to say must not be heard by those that 
 should not hear. I seem to have been recognized 
 already." 
 
 " Unoccupied rooms are scarce to-night, I should 
 think, Sir." 
 
 " I have thought of that, Master Everard. If you 
 will follow me, I shall conduct you to a place of pri 
 vacy." 
 
 As Toby started with us, the young gentleman 
 turned and asked in a whisper who my companion 
 was. 
 
 " My servant," I answered. " Possibly more 
 useful than his master, if the work require a supple 
 wrist." 
 
 This seemed to satisfy the stranger, for he smiled 
 and nodded, and then, turning, made his way 
 
 6
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 through the noisy crowd, while we followed at a 
 little distance, that we might not attract too much 
 attention, as the business seemed like to be of great 
 importance. 
 
 Slowly we worked our way across the room to 
 the stairs, up which our leader went. But Toby 
 and I halted on the first step until he had disappeared 
 round the turning. Here I looked back across the 
 room, and as I did so my eye caught three men 
 watching us from near the table where we had been 
 sitting. Two were tall, plainly attired and wore 
 plain black masques. The third was of about 
 middle height, stout, more gaily dressed, and wore a 
 masque half black, half white. What attracted my 
 attention was not any peculiarity of appearance, 
 which, from my description, you can see was in no 
 way peculiar, except for the masque of the least tall 
 of the three, but as my eye reached them one of the 
 tall gentlemen touched the Black-and-white Masque 
 on the shoulder, and then the three looked quickly 
 in our direction. But when they saw that I was 
 watching them they turned away carelessly, as 
 though their gaze had been but casual. Toby and 
 I started up the stairs, but as we came to the turning 
 I took another look back, and as I did so beheld the 
 three Masques again watching us closely. 
 
 Our Red Masque was awaiting us at the top, and 
 so soon as we joined him he led us to the door of a 
 room just across the passage from the landing. At 
 this he gave three gentle taps, paused for a second, 
 
 7
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 then added two more. The signal evidently was ex 
 pected, for the door opened instantly and we were 
 admitted to the chamber, which was without light 
 until the door was again closed and locked, when a 
 light was struck and we were able to take in our sur 
 roundings. 
 
 The room was of a good size, well furnished, and 
 had another door and a window in the opposite wall 
 to the door by which we had entered. The window, 
 however, was closed and the shutters were up, and 
 I heard this second door shut ere the candles were 
 lighted. 
 
 " Great secrecy for an honest game," I thought, 
 as I turned from my survey of the apartment to the 
 gentleman of the red masque, that I might have an 
 understanding of that for which he so earnestly de 
 sired my assistance. Of the other gentleman the 
 one by whom "we had been admitted I took no 
 more notice than to observe that he was a tall and 
 well-made man, who wore the ordinary masque of 
 black, until our conductor introduced me. 
 
 " Henry," said he to his associate, " this is the gen 
 tleman of whom we have so much need Master 
 Everard, by name." Then, turning tome : "I trust, 
 Sir, you will not take it as an offence that my friend 
 prefers to have his name unspoken, though I assure 
 you it is far from unknown." 
 
 " Doubtless, gentlemen," I replied, " you are both 
 privileged to keep your names to yourselves ; I have 
 not asked for them ; but until I know with whom I 
 
 8
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 have the honour to speak, you must excuse me for 
 declining to engage in a conversation more serious 
 than is customary in such an assembly." 
 
 " By Gad, Sir, you re exacting ! " said he of the 
 red masque. " Is it not sufficient when I tell you 
 tis in the service of the King that we would have 
 your assistance ? " 
 
 " Had I not been informed that the work was a 
 service to the King I had not so far disturbed my 
 self as to be with you now. So far I have moved 
 without question, but no further may I go. The 
 King has many and various services performed for 
 him ; I beg leave to discriminate as to what kind I 
 take part in." 
 
 " Oh ! I see, Sir ; your loyalty is of the qualified 
 variety," the Red Masque sneered. 
 
 " Ay, Sir," I replied drily ; " with honour." 
 
 " Slife ! Master Everard, are you so sentimental, 
 then ? " he laughed. " Well, then," he added seri 
 ously, " I assure you the matter in hand is one of 
 honour, in fact tis the King s honour that we would 
 save. Sblood! Sir, there are many gentlemen 
 of my acquaintance would give their lives for such 
 an opportunity." 
 
 " Honour, Sir, is so variously defined, nowadays, 
 that I prefer to use my own interpretation in all 
 things that concern me. You say many gentlemen 
 of your acquaintance would feel honoured by the 
 office ; think you not then that they were better 
 fitted for the service than a stranger? Gentlemen, 
 
 9
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 I regret that you have mistaken your man, and that 
 I have inconvenienced myself for naught. I bid 
 you good-evening. Under the circumstances I cannot 
 assist you." I bowed and turned toward the door, 
 forgetting that it was locked until I saw Toby try 
 it. I turned again to the Masques. They were 
 engaged in a low-toned conversation. 
 
 " Yes, yes, tell him ; it can make but little differ 
 ence," said he that had hitherto remained silent. 
 Something more he added, but I could not catch 
 what he said, the words being drowned by the noise 
 of the merry-makers in the court-yard directly 
 beneath the window of the room in which we 
 were. 
 
 ** Gentlemen," I said, as I saw the other still 
 hesitate, " doubtless you mean me no insult, yet I 
 am one that takes such treatment as this with but a 
 poor grace. I demand either your confidence or 
 my liberty." 
 
 Little Toby gave his shoulders a shake, (which 
 movement always has reminded me of the splutter 
 of a sparrow after a dip in a puddle, and always is a 
 signal that he is prepared for trouble) and kept his 
 eyes on me, waiting his cue. 
 
 " Damn ray fingers, Master Everard ! but your 
 temper is as short as your sword is long," cried the 
 Red Masque, with a laugh. " No, no, on my honour 
 no offence was meant ; twas but over-caution on my 
 part. You shall know all." He undid his masque 
 and let me see his features. 
 
 10
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " Your Grace ! " I cried in feigned surprise, 
 though all the time I had had my suspicions that it 
 was Monmouth himself. 
 
 " Sh ! Master Everard, name me not in this place," 
 he said in a low tone. Then he came closer and 
 whispered : " Make no mention of name nor title 
 when this gentleman removes his masque," and he 
 nodded in the direction of his companion, who now 
 undid his visard. 
 
 I raised my hat and, bending till its feathers 
 swept the floor, saluted him in silence. It was the 
 King. He made a slight bow and smiled a little as 
 he asked me if I now was satisfied. 
 
 " Perfectly, so far as the persons with whom I 
 deal are concerned." 
 
 " And are you prepared to serve me in what may 
 be a dangerous matter ? " 
 
 I drew myself up with a little flush. " Most 
 matters in which I take a part are commonly called 
 dangerous, Sir," I answered quietly. 
 
 " Damnation take me if ever I have seen such a 
 fire-brand ! " the Little Duke cried out, after staring 
 at me in surprise for a moment. Then he burst into 
 laughter. " Zounds ! tis as dangerous to be thy 
 friends as tis to be thy foes." 
 
 " Hush, James ! not so loud," said the King. "Do 
 you hear aught amiss, my man ? " he asked quickly, 
 but in a low voice, and we all turned to see Toby 
 with his ear to the key-hole of the door leading into 
 the passage. As we looked he quickly placed his 
 
 II
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 lips to the hole and gave vent to a strong puff. 
 Instantly there was a startled sound directly out 
 side, then hasty footsteps creaked without. 
 
 Monraouth laughed ; but the King handed me the 
 key and I hastily unlocked the door and stepped 
 forth. But the eavesdropper had profited by the 
 delay in making good his escape, for the passage 
 was empty and nothing was to be heard but the 
 noise of the merry-makers below. So I returned to 
 the room and relocked the door. I found Monmouth 
 half-choking with a fit of laughter, and the King 
 himself was smiling broadly. 
 
 " Sblood ! " cried the Duke, the moment the door 
 was closed, " twas as good as a play to see that 
 fellow give Master Spy a start. I ll warrant me he 
 could not have been startled more had you fired a 
 pistol into his ear. Sdeath ! I can almost see the 
 expression on his face." And he gave way freely 
 to his laughter. 
 
 Toby seemed not in the least confused by this 
 attention from royalty ; on the contrary, he took it 
 with an indifference that one would think came 
 from a life-long acquaintance with kings. He stood 
 with his hat tucked under one arm, while with the 
 other he leaned upon the back of a chair and smiled 
 back at the King s son with an ease of manner 
 laughable to behold. I think it was Toby s look 
 rather than his act of blowing through the key-hole 
 that caused his Majesty to smile so broadly. 
 "Whatever it was, he seemed mightily pleased, for he 
 
 12
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 nods to both of us, still smiling, and he says : " I 
 doubt not the work will be well done." 
 
 I bowed in acknowledgment of the compliment 
 and remained silent, awaiting his further speech. 
 
 " The business in hand, Master Everard," he con 
 tinued, as he seated himself carelessly upon a corner 
 of the table, and with his stick made passes at his 
 toe as he swung it to and fro, " requires most careful 
 handling, for it concerns the welfare of England no 
 less than it concerns me. That is why I desire the 
 work to be done by you, for were I to have a body 
 of soldiers do it the whole world must needs know 
 of a matter that would sound far from well, and 
 would be made much of by them that would even 
 stoop to say that I was party to this most contempt 
 ible of plots. This gentleman " and with his stick 
 he indicated Monmouth " it was, that by accident 
 learned the designs of the daring traitors, and he it 
 was also that told me of your great experience and 
 ability in performing these secret and daring ser 
 vices." 
 
 I again bowed and remained silent, while he took 
 his own time in giving me my instructions. 
 
 " This night," resumed the King, " there is at 
 this place even there, among the dancers without 
 a lady that must be escorted from here in such 
 manner as shall assure her safety. That lady, Sir," 
 and I leaned forward to catch what he said, so 
 low did he speak " is a no less personage than the 
 Queen." 
 
 13
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 Twas evident from the King s manner that he 
 expected me to be surprised by his statement, for 
 he paused and watched me closely after he had told 
 me of the Queen s presence at the May-pole dance. 
 If he was possessed of any doubts as to my knowl 
 edge of the doings of kings and queens, my manner, 
 I think, dispelled them ; for I had not been a soldier 
 of fortune for something over ten years most of 
 which time was spent in the service of kings and 
 princes without having learned that such a little 
 thing as a queen in a masque at a May-pole dance 
 (or a much worse even) is not of sufficient moment 
 to cause surprise ; that is, when kings and queens are 
 in the habit of doing things less innocent with every 
 passing day. 
 
 " Well," continued the King, " some audacious 
 scoundrels, possessed of more impudence than brains, 
 have formed a most monstrous plot, with no less an 
 object than the abduction of her Majesty. This 
 they think successfully to accomplish by reason of 
 the very boldness of the enterprise and also because 
 the Queen has come without an escort, which, of 
 course, was the only way she could come to such a 
 place." 
 
 " Is it known, Sir, in what place the abduction is 
 to be attempted ? " I asked. 
 
 " Yes, tis fortunate we have some knowledge as 
 to that. Their plan is, as I believe, to follow her 
 Majesty s chair when she shall leave this place, and 
 somewhere between here and Whitehall the exact 
 
 14
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 spot \ve have not knowledge of they think to over 
 power her chairmen and thus carry her off without 
 opposition." 
 
 " Do you know their force, Sir ? " 
 
 " James," said the King, " was t not but three the 
 message said ? " 
 
 " Ay," Monmouth answered, " but there may be 
 more. Twould be a good plan for assuring them 
 that the guard would be small that is, supposing 
 the note was meant to fall into my hands." 
 
 " Had they reason to suppose you suspected such 
 a plot before the note you speak of was penned ? " 
 I asked, turning to the Duke. 
 
 " Split me ! no ; for I knew not even that the lady 
 would be here until by seeming chance I came upon 
 this note." 
 
 " Then the conspirators could have no object in 
 permitting such information of their plans to come 
 into your hands. For this reason I am convinced 
 that their number will not exceed three, providing, 
 of course, that they have not learned of your pos 
 session of the note, which tis likely they do know 
 of. But no matter," I went on ; "I am willing to 
 undertake the service, and to take the chance of 
 there being more, if you are pleased to trust the 
 matter to my hands." 
 
 " Then the commission is yours, Sir," said the 
 King. 
 
 " Do you know the names of any of the conspir 
 ators, Sir ? " 
 
 15
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " Nay, but I have my suspicions. Of one thing 
 we may be well assured, and that is they are no 
 common robbers. I half suspect a person of high 
 standing as their leader ; but I shall not give him a 
 name, lest I wrong the innocent. But, Master 
 Everard, if you can catch their leader, you never 
 shall have cause in the future to say a Stuart 
 knows not how to reward, even though we wreck 
 an adage by the payment," and he laughed 
 silently at his own expense. 
 
 " At what hour will the lady leave ? " 
 
 " We have one set to watch and inform us as to 
 her movements." 
 
 " Does the lady know aught of the plot ? " 
 
 " Nay, nay ; nor may she, or our plans to capture 
 the plotters may miscarry, through a woman s natu 
 ral timidity. Let her not know that you go with 
 her, lest she become alarmed." 
 
 " How shall I know her from another in the 
 crowd ? " 
 
 " Come with me and I shall show you." He blew 
 out the candles and led the way to the door that 
 had hitherto remained closed. This he now opened, 
 and we three (for Toby still stood at his post by the 
 inner door) stepped forth upon a small balcony that 
 ran some half-dozen paces along this side of the house. 
 
 At first we could see nothing clearly in the court 
 yard below, because of the great glare and smoke 
 from the torches ; but as our eyes became used to 
 these difficulties we were able, first to distinguish 
 
 16
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 men from women, then by their capers the 
 younger from their less nimble companions, and 
 finally the different and ridiculous costumes of the 
 Toms o Bedlam, who danced, sang, tooted horns and 
 cut capers unceasingly around the stately, garlanded, 
 and ribbon-decked pole which stood in the centre 
 blushing for its foolish surroundings. 
 
 The King and Monmouth peered into the throng 
 for some moments ere the former espied that for 
 whioh he sought. Then he quickly drew forth his 
 handkerchief and moved it up and down several 
 times. 
 
 " Do you see those scarfs moving on the benches 
 yonder ? " he asked quickly, as he caught me by the 
 arm and pointed to the opposite side of the court, 
 where stood long rows of benches, placed one above 
 another and crowded with spectators of both sexes, 
 all ages, qualities and costumes. On the third bench 
 from the bottom of one of these tiers was seated a 
 masqued man, who was keeping time with the tune 
 then progressing by waving two white scarfs, one 
 in each hand. Directly in front of him, and sitting 
 on the next seat below, were two ladies, one seem 
 ingly tall and the other short, that is, as well as one 
 could judge from their appearance while seated. 
 The only details in which they differed from the 
 scores of others was in their masques, which covered 
 their faces completely, instead of hiding the upper 
 features only, as did the masques of most of those 
 present, and, besides, they both wore cherry -coloured 
 
 1 17
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 cloaks, with hoods that left no feature showing. 
 Truly, twould take a most wondrous sharp eye to 
 peneXrate such disguises. Seated one on each side 
 of the two ladies were two large men, not masqued, 
 and plainly dressed. 
 
 " Do you see ? " 
 
 " Ay, Sir." 
 
 Again his Majesty waved his handkerchief, and 
 the man seated behind the two ladies ceased keeping 
 time to the music. 
 
 " The shorter lady is your charge, Sir. The other 
 is doubtless one of her ladies. Now you ll have two 
 on your hands. Od s fish ! Master Everard, I envy 
 you not your work." 
 
 " Are the men on each side their attendants ? " 
 
 " Ah ! I had not noted that. They have the look 
 of chairmen. Good powerful looking fellows. They 
 may render you substantial assistance." 
 
 " There is but one point in this affair that I like no 
 better than I understand," I said, as we again en 
 tered the room and closed the door. 
 
 " What is that ? " asked Monmouth quickly. 
 
 I struck a light ere I answered. 
 
 "And that point is how it comes about that wo 
 were spied on after we entered this room." I know 
 not why I said this ; for the presence of the eaves 
 dropper at the door might easily be explained by 
 granting that the plotters knew of the Little Duke s 
 possession of the note of which he spoke, and also 
 supposing that they had recognised him, despite his 
 
 18
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 disguise, and watched him enter the room with Toby 
 and me. But I ever have made it a rule to trust few 
 men until they have been tried and proved true ; and 
 in this case I felt no inclination to make the Duke 
 of Monmouth an exception. There was something 
 in his manner that I did not like, though whether 
 this was natural to him, or the result of excitement 
 caused by his knowledge of the plotters plans, I 
 could not tell for a surety. I had my suspicions 
 that it might come from his possession of a greater 
 knowledge of the plot than he chose to make known 
 to me, whence came my remark that I neither liked 
 nor understood the presence of the eavesdropper. 
 Twas a good shaft, and I shot it well, but though 
 the Duke was at times transparent, yet in this case, 
 either ray suspicions were groundless or Monmouth 
 was no mean actor ; for he nodded his head thought 
 fully and replied : 
 
 " Yes, Sir, it looks as though they know of our 
 discovery. That was why I said they may have 
 meant the note for me. Think you not, Sir," he 
 said, turning to the King, " that more men should 
 be placed at Master Everard s disposal. They might 
 follow at some little distance, and need know noth 
 ing of the matter unless Master Everard signals 
 for their help." 
 
 If it was acting, twas mighty well done ; but still, 
 for some reason that I cannot explain, 1 could not 
 help suspecting him. I felt sure there was some 
 thing hidden from me ; so I determined to pursue 
 
 19
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 my own course in this matter, without regard to his 
 suggestions. 
 
 " What say you, Master Everard ? Do ye need 
 more men ? " the King asked. 
 
 " No, Sir ; I prefer to conduct the business with 
 out other assistance than Toby s good sword and 
 my own." 
 
 " I like it that you choose that course ; tis better 
 every way." 
 
 I had my eye on Monmouth while the King spoke, 
 but I learned nothing from his manner. Tis pos 
 sible I should have learned more had he not worn 
 the masque. 
 
 " What way do you intend to go ? " the Duke 
 questioned. 
 
 I hesitated. Was it wise to let him know my 
 plans? 
 
 " Yes, what way ? " the King put in. 
 
 Now I must answer ; and yet I disliked the 
 thought of revealing my plans to the Little Duke. 
 
 " I think, Sir, I shall permit the ladies to take 
 whatever course they please," I answered. 
 
 " Yes, yes, that is best," said the King ; and the 
 Duke also seemed pleased with the idea. 
 
 But I now was determined that I would make as 
 sure as possible that I should not run across Mon 
 mouth nor permit any of his plans to interfere with 
 the successful carrying out of my commission that 
 night ; so just before Toby and I left the room i 
 said to the King : 
 
 20
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " I think, Sir, there is more in this matter than 
 appears. I counsel, therefore, that you keep his 
 Grace close by your side. Separate not for a mo 
 ment, lest 3 our Majesty be the object of some more 
 daring outrage." 
 
 " Do you think they would dare attempt any 
 thing against me ? " 
 
 " They have the daring, it would seem, to attempt 
 the abduction of the Queen." 
 
 "Tut! tis absurd, Sir!" said the Duke, quite im 
 patient and annoyed. 
 
 " Still, James, tis better to be safe. And as 
 Master Everard has charge of this difficult business, 
 twould be scant courtesy we should show him did 
 we not follow his advice." 
 
 " But I fail to see what object Master Everard 
 can have in wishing to control our actions. We 
 have not asked his protection for ourselves." 
 
 " But I say we will follow his advice, James. 
 Let there be no further discussion." 
 
 Monmouth bit his lip, shrugged his shoulders and 
 remained silent, while Toby and I uncovered, bowed 
 and, when the King again had blown out the 
 candles, left the room to take our place below, that 
 we might watch for the Queen to leave. 
 
 I had gained my point with the young Duke. If 
 he was acting honestly his remaining with the King 
 for the remainder of the evening would be no hard 
 ship. If, as I could not help suspecting though 
 without any reason he had some card hidden in his 
 
 21
 
 Mark Everarcf 
 
 sleeve, and was waiting a chance to play it, why then 
 I had taken a wise precaution against having a sur 
 prise confront me. I was too old a hand at this 
 kind of business not to know that surprises, no 
 matter of what sort, are worth guarding against. 
 And even if I had felt sure that Monmouth s plans 
 were meant for my benefit I should not have cared 
 to be associated in so particular an undertaking 
 with so impatient and reckless a young man. 
 
 " He s mighty anxious for us to have a crowd 
 with us, Sir," said Toby quietly, and we started 
 down the stairs. 
 
 " So you noted that too, eh, Toby ? " 
 " Twas sticking right out of him, Sir." 
 " Well, Toby, we ll handle this alone, as we have 
 many another ere this." 
 
 " I m glad you got him shut up with his dad ; I 
 think he s too old for his years, Sir." 
 
 By this we almost had reached the bottom of the 
 stairs, so our conversation ceased while we made 
 our way through the crowd, which now was com 
 mencing to become less thick. As we stepped into 
 the court-yard my shoulder almost brushed against 
 the Black-and-white Masque, who was stationed be 
 side the door with his back to the wall. Doubt 
 less he was there to watch for us, for when he saw 
 me he straightened himself up and stared at me 
 boldly, while I returned his look with an amused 
 smile, as I twirled my mustaches carelessly and 
 walked on, turning my face partly over my shoulder 
 
 22
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 as I went, and still half-smiling at him. Toby 
 strutted at my side like a bantam cock, twirled his 
 mustaches as did I for in all things he imitated 
 me most ludicrously, even to the wearing of hair 
 on the upper lip, which had become unfashionable 
 but, instead of appearing amused, looked most 
 comically pugnacious. 
 
 We made our way in a semicircle, that we might 
 keep at some distance from the dancers, until we 
 reached a point almost opposite the balcony, where 
 I had stood with the King. Here I had a good view 
 of the benches where sat the Queen and her com 
 panion, and here also I could watch the balcony and 
 the door by which we had left standing the Black- 
 and-white Masque. "When I looked back to the 
 door, however, he was not to be seen there. Doubt 
 less he was watching us from some other position. 
 Well, so long as he would keep his eye on me 
 which I felt he would continue to do why then 
 there was no need for me to watch him. Without 
 knowing it he was saving me a vast lot of trouble. 
 
 Soon the merry-makers began to weary of their 
 sport ; the spectators lost interest in the entertain 
 ment, and one by one they wandered off. We 
 watched the benches closely. Presently I saw the 
 Queen, after a whispered conference with her com 
 panion, rise and leave the stand, the taller lady, the 
 two large men and the gentleman that had waved 
 the scarfs following almost immediately. I nudged 
 Toby, and we began to wind in and out through the 
 
 23
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 crowd, never losing sight of the ladies as they 
 passed out of the court. They tu-rned down a short 
 lane and, after going about two score paces, stopped 
 before another smaller alley running off to the left. 
 Into this place went the large men, while the third 
 he that was masqued stood in a shadowy corner 
 some distance in the rear of the ladies and on the 
 other side of the lane. Toby and 1 were but a few 
 paces behind him and also screened from the light of 
 the street-lamp. I looked back, but could see no 
 sight of any of the conspirators. That part of the 
 lane between the court-yard that we had just left 
 and us was deserted, they that were leaving the 
 dance turning the other way, into the main thorough 
 fare. This discovery, that they were not behind us, 
 puzzled me not a little. Had they given up their 
 plans when they learned that precautions were 
 being taken to prevent their plot from succeeding ? I 
 wondered. No, that could not be it, or the Black- 
 and-white Masque would not have been so on guard 
 at the door when I came out. There was something 
 here that I could not make out. So much more 
 reason, then, for my being more cautious than ever. 
 If they were preparing a surprise for me, they should 
 learn before they were through with this affair that 
 they were dealing with two men that were used to all 
 kinds of attempts at surprise. If they should beat 
 us, they always should have reason to remember 
 their victory ; twould be a performance of which to 
 be proud. 
 
 24
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 Presently two chairs were brought out from the 
 little alley. Into these our charges now stepped, 
 and the four men (for two more chairmen had re 
 turned with the fellows that had entered the place) 
 took up their burdens and started off at a good 
 round pace. 
 
 So soon as the masqued man ahead of us saw them 
 start off he turned about and hastily started back. 
 We pressed more into the shadow and permitted 
 him to pass at a run, without seeing us. Straight 
 back he went the way he had come and into the 
 court-yard again he turned. He had waved his scarfs 
 to the King. Was he returning to report to his 
 Majesty, or to the conspirators or to the Duke of 
 Monmouth ? 
 
 But now I had no time for the serious considering 
 of this ; I was obliged to follow the two chairs, which 
 rapidly were fading from view, as they hastened 
 down the lane. We started after them, running 
 lightly and almost silently until we had come to 
 within about fifty yards of them, when we slackened 
 our pace to about that at which they were going, 
 that we might keep about that distance between 
 us. Soon they turned to the right into a broader 
 street, along which they went at the same good 
 pace. We followed at the same distance. 
 
 Now we had our faces turned westward, and if 
 they would but keep to the principal streets and 
 continue the same rate of speed, we should be at 
 Whitehall in half an hour. The plotters would not 
 
 25
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 dare molest them, except in some deserted, lonely 
 place. 
 
 " So long as they but keep to the main streets, 
 they are safe. Surely they will have the good sense 
 to give lonely places a wide berth," I whispered to 
 Toby. 
 
 " Look ! " 
 
 At this moment a large coach rolled past at no 
 slow pace, also headed to the west. A moment 
 later it was followed by another at the same speed. 
 From the window of the first of these a man s head 
 was leaning out, as though he watched for something. 
 We quickened our pace to a run, keeping as close as 
 possible behind the second coach, and yet a little to 
 one side, that I might not lose sight of the man at 
 the window of the first coach. As they drew near 
 the chairs their speed slackened, and at the moment 
 of passing, the man at the window leaned farther out, 
 turned his head and stared back at the chairs. At 
 that moment they came directly opposite to a street 
 light. The glare shone straight in his face. . . . 
 He wore a masque of black-and-white. 
 
 Toby and I rushed forward, seized the axle of the 
 rear coach and climbed up behind, and while we 
 rolled on again at full speed I whispered my 
 directions in Toby s ear ; for now I knew what 
 was coming, and my plan of action was complete. 
 
 On we went for several hundred yards, drew up 
 with a jolt for a moment, then turned to the south, 
 down a poorly-lighted and deserted lane. 
 
 26
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 I had been expecting something like this to hap 
 pen, but until we turned I could think of no way in 
 which the conspirators could assure themselves that 
 the chairs would follow them, providing they did 
 not previously know the exact route the ladies in 
 tended taking on their return to the Palace. But 
 as we turned down the lane toward Fleet Street 
 everything was made clear. The jolt that I have 
 mentioned just before we turned was sufficiently 
 abrupt and strange, after the seeming haste of a 
 moment before, to arouse my curiosity as to its 
 cause ; so I cautiously leaned my head a little past 
 the side of the coach and took a peep at that that 
 was ahead of us. 
 
 As the conveyance stopped, there came to my ears 
 loud and boisterous singing and cheering. I stared 
 on past the horses, and there, two score of yards 
 ahead of us, a great bonfire blazed in the middle of 
 the street, and around it capered a throng of 
 merry-makers. Judging by the quality of their song 
 and roughness of their hoots and laughter, they 
 were a low and drunken crowd, lower by far than 
 the dancers in the court-yard of the inn we had left. 
 
 I had time only sufficient for taking in this lewd 
 scene at a glance, for now both coaches turned 
 sharply to the left, down the lane of which I have 
 made mention. 
 
 Again I looked out past the side of the coach. 
 The first coach was rapidly drawing away from us, 
 as it dashed down the narrow street at a gallop, 
 
 27
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 whilst our pace slackened to a gen tie trot, and then to 
 a walk. Wondrous strange conduct, but yet I thought 
 I saw through their plans. I made no sound, but 
 leaned yet farther out and strained my eyes to keep 
 sight of the coach that was plunging into, and bury 
 ing itself in, the gloom ahead of us. 
 
 " Ha ! very good. You are smart boys, smart 
 boys ; but boys nevertheless. The t \vo-coach plan is 
 good, tis original, and might reasonably be expected 
 to succeed, providing, of course, that you had other 
 men to deal with than Mark Everard and Toby 
 Hunt, and also having a care that these same two 
 old soldiers Mark and Toby did not take it into 
 their heads to climb on behind the second coach. 
 Ha ! ha ! " I chuckled softly to myself, " you are 
 playing the game nicely, but I swear the money 
 is rolling our way without your knowledge," and 
 I poked Toby in the ribs with my elbow as I saw 
 the first coach turn sharply to the left and, still 
 at a gallop, disappear. 
 
 It was now necessary that we should act quickly, 
 so I gave the little man a few more whispered di 
 rections for my plan was now slightly changed 
 and then we stood ready, awaiting the time when 
 we should lead the music. 
 
 We had not long to wait ; for as we drew near 
 the street into which the first coach had turned, we 
 came to a halt. One of the doors opened and a 
 gruff voice asked : " All clear there, my man ? " 
 
 " Ay, Sir," replied the coachman, " the lane 
 
 28
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 seems empty. The people all are up at the bonfire, 
 Sir." 
 
 " 1 Tis a mighty sharp night for the first of May. 
 Do you think we shall have long to wait ? " 
 
 " Oh, no, Sir, the chairs ll be here in five minutes, 
 and the other coach ll be right behind them, Sir." 
 
 The driver was leaning over the right side of his 
 seat, his head turned toward the open door. This 
 gave Toby his opportunity to descend quietly from 
 his perch and make his way slowly but surely along 
 the left side, past the unsuspecting driver and to the 
 heads of the horses. 
 
 " Well, I think I shall " 
 
 Toby gave a sharp whistle, his signal to me that 
 he had reached his place. The coachman sprang 
 upright on his seat and called out sharply : " Who s 
 there ? " The man at the window leaned farther 
 out, awaiting Toby s answer. 
 
 I knew the little man never would be stuck for 
 an answer, but I swear it caught my breath when 
 it took the form of a song. But such it was, and 
 extempore at that : 
 
 " He says, says he : 
 Now who be ye ? 
 
 My answer is : 
 The same to thee ." 
 
 Had I not known that Toby was the only one at 
 the heads of the horses, I should have been willing 
 to swear twas some harmless drunkard returning 
 
 29
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 homo from his celebration of the holiday. I almost 
 laughed aloud in spite of myself. 
 
 " Get out o there, no\v, or I ll go down and give 
 you a taste o boot leather ! " cried the driver angrily 
 and made a move as though to carry out his threat. 
 
 " No, don t leave the reins," said the man at the 
 door. " I shall attend to him." And he stepped to 
 the ground and started forward. 
 
 I had not looked for this, for I had expected the 
 driver to get down from his seat to remove Toby. 
 However, twas of but little moment how we should 
 overpower them, so long as it would not take long ; 
 too much time had been wasted already. So I 
 descended from my position behind the coach, so 
 soon as I heard the man at the door say he would 
 remove Toby, and started quickly but quietly after 
 him, the moment his back was turned. I raised the 
 hilt of my sword to knock him quietly on the head, 
 but not relishing the thought of perhaps killing 
 the fellow whilst his back was turned, I changed 
 my mind and stuck the blade between his legs, at 
 the same time hurling my weight against his 
 shoulders. He lurched forward, his hands spread 
 out to save himself, and sprawled at full length in 
 the mud, at the same time uttering a cry of dismay, 
 which was immediately followed by a string of 
 oaths, as I rolled him upon his back and proceeded 
 to unbuckle his sword-belt, with which I purposed to 
 bind his arms to his sides. 
 
 At that moment the driver sprang to the ground 
 
 30
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 and with a muttered curs rushed upon me, the 
 butt of his heavy whip thr ,vvn back for a blow at 
 my head. The moment he sprang from his seat 
 Toby called out a warning, so I was not caught 
 napping. The whip handle whistled through the 
 air; I sprang to one side, and the man that I had 
 been binding received the blow upon his ribs. I 
 caught the wrist of the coachman ere he could step 
 back. With a quick jerk I landed him fairly upon 
 the top of his unfortunate companion, who be 
 tween groans cursed the bungling driver for all the 
 fools and knaves unhung, in the most approved 
 manner. Both struggled manfully to regain their 
 feet ; and at last, to force him to submit, I was 
 compelled to give the driver a blow upon the neck 
 with my clenched fist. This treatment quieted 
 him most marvelously. He stretched out flat upon 
 his face and made no more move, whilst I hastily 
 completed the binding of the other s arms ; after which 
 I securely fastened the coachman s hands behind 
 his back with a piece cut from the lash of his whip, 
 which operation brought him to his senses. I then 
 tightly gagged the driver with my scarf, and the 
 other with his own. 
 
 " Now, into the coach, if you please," I invited, 
 taking them by the collars and assisting them to 
 rise. " Come, Toby, and give me a hand ; the 
 horses, I think, will not move," I called. Then, 
 when we had them both placed in the front seat, 
 we took another piece of the whip-lash and bound 
 
 31
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 their feet together " That there may be something 
 to draw you to each other," as Toby remarked to 
 them. 
 
 It has taken me some little time to describe the 
 capture of these two conspirators ; but from the 
 time when the coach came to a halt until they 
 were both prisoners, safely lodged within the coach, 
 more than five minutes could not have elapsed. 
 Twas lucky it took us no longer, for as Toby 
 climbed to the coachman s seat I caught the sound 
 of an approaching coach. Looking back up the 
 lane I could dimly make out a great dark object, 
 preceded by another, which, I made no doubt, was 
 the chairs, all coming along at a good swinging 
 pace. I did not know how the plotter whose place 
 I had taken, and whose part I was about to play, 
 had planned to act when the chairs should reach 
 the place where we waited ; but I did not hesitate to 
 act in my own way, and abide by the result. On 
 they came, the stalwart chairmen almost running. 
 Now they were a score of yards away ; now ten, 
 and their pace slackened a little ; now five paces, 
 and they came still slower ; now they turned to one 
 side to pass the coach and I stepped forth and 
 faced them. They came to an instant halt and 
 who would not, when the point of a sword is held 
 under one s nose ? Then, to my great surprise, they 
 put down the chair. I gasped in surprise. "Was 
 there treachery here, too? Ha! I saw through it. 
 The tall lady, who stepped lightly forth, was also 
 
 32
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 in the plot. I must now act with lightning quick 
 ness. Doubtless she would not expect to find two 
 prisoners in the coach, toward the door of which 
 she now stepped as readily as if twere her own, 
 and had been ordered by her to be in waiting there. 
 
 " Madam," I whispered hastily (I feared to speak 
 in my natural tones, lest she might know my voice 
 belonged not to be man that she expected) " be not 
 alarmed by the presence of the men within ; they 
 are my prisoners." And I gave her my hand and 
 assisted her to her seat. 
 
 As she stepped in I heard a rush of feet, a scuffle, 
 oaths, and above all else a woman s fearful screams. 
 Slife ! the Queen had the voice of a screech-owl. 
 Zooks! enough to make any man come to her 
 assistance, if for no other reason than that he might 
 preserve his hearing. I rushed back to her Majesty s 
 chair, where a savage fight was taking place between 
 two chairmen and the two conspirators from the 
 other coach, while the Queen was furnishing the 
 music from her chair. As I came up one of the 
 chairmen, with a groan, fell to the ground, where he 
 lay, coughing out his life in bloody mouthfuls. I 
 sprang to the chair, grasped the little screaming 
 tedy in my arms and started back toward the car 
 riage. Did I say owl ? I should have said cat. 
 Zounds ! the skin was gone from the side of my nose 
 tocfore I could swear. 
 
 A hand was placed upon my shoulder, " No, no ; 
 the other coach," said a man s voice at my side, and 
 
 33
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 I turned to see the tall Black Masque, who had just 
 killed the chairman. 
 
 I paid no heed to what he said, but hastened to 
 the door of the coach, which was but a half-dozen 
 paces distant. 
 
 " I say the other coach ! Do you hear ? Are you 
 mad, man?" And again he seized my shoulder, 
 roughly, as we reached the carriage door. 
 
 I saw Toby spring to the ground, resting quietly 
 whilst a fight was in progress was more than he 
 could bear, so I paid no more attention to the con- 
 spirator, but swung the door open and thrust her 
 Majesty not too gently in. My two prisoners were 
 struggling with their bonds, rubbing their heads 
 against the shoulders of each other in their efforts to 
 displace the tight scarfs that prevented them from 
 calling out. 
 
 " Cease your attempts to get free," I said roughly, 
 " or you shall compel me to soothe you with cold 
 steel." And I seized one by the shoulder and gave 
 him a shake, that he might know that he was within 
 my reach. 
 
 The Queen made but one more frantic effort to 
 destroy the remains of my beauty, then, with a 
 scream that put to shame her former efforts, she 
 leaned back in her seat and sobbed foreign prayers 
 into her handkerchief. 
 
 All this was accompanied by the click of swords, 
 for the moment I had thrown the coach door open 
 and thrust the Queen within, the masqued con- 
 
 34
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 spirator behind my back with a cry, " Tis that 
 damned Everard ! " sprang forward, his blade pointed 
 to spit me. But Toby I never have known to act 
 too late. As the sword of the Masque darted for 
 ward another blade clicked sharply against it, and 
 the point of my assailant passed harmlessly a foot 
 above my head. 
 
 At this moment cries for help came from where 
 the Black-and-white Masque was struggling with 
 the remaining faithful chairman. The other two 
 traitors, who had stood inactive, now rushed to the 
 spot whence came the call, whilst Toby s sword still 
 clicked against the weapon of his adversary, whom 
 the little swordsman was forcing to give ground 
 rapidly. But now I had the Queen safely shut in 
 the coach, so I ran to the assistance of the faithful 
 chairman. The two knaves had just pulled him off 
 the Black-and-white Masque, who, as I came up, 
 showed a lightness of heels not in keeping with his 
 girth. I sprang at the two chairmen, who were 
 holding the loyal fellow down. They waited not my 
 coming, but followed the example of their master. 
 I dashed after them, but my foot caught on the 
 corpse of the man that had been killed by the fellow 
 that Toby now fought, and I measured my length 
 in the half-dry mud. As I fell Toby called out, 
 " Run, coward ! " and the Black Masque sprang 
 over me and dashed up the lane after the others. 
 
 I quickly picked myself up and started in pursuit. 
 But they had too great a start. As I drew near 
 
 35
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 the coach the driver lashed his horses ; they bounded 
 forward into a space beside the lane, and at a gallop 
 turned back toward the bonfire. 
 
 I turned to the badly bruised chairman and asked 
 him how he did. He stood in an attitude of de 
 fence, the point of a sword resting on the ground 
 before him. 
 
 " Who are you, Sir ? " he asked. 
 
 " I fear you would know me no better were I to 
 tell you my name. That I have saved the ladies you 
 can see for yourself. Is not that sufficient to assure 
 you that I mean you no harm ? " 
 
 " True, you have saved the ladies from others ; 
 but how do I know where you intend to take them, 
 Sir ? I know not who they are, but I am paid to 
 bear them safely, and I ll do my duty." 
 
 " As for that, my faithful fellow, if you can drive, 
 you may do so, providing you make for say 
 Whitehall." 
 
 He hesitated a moment. 
 
 " Come, we must make haste ; the knaves may 
 return with re-enforcements. What shall we do 
 with this poor corpse ? " I nodded to his dead 
 comrade. 
 
 " Poor John ! He was a man, Sir, he was. I ll 
 come back for him, after we get the ladies home, 
 Sir. Poor old John ! " 
 
 We carried the corpse and laid it by the chairs at 
 the side of the lane. The chairman climbed to the 
 coachman s seat and untied the reins from where 
 
 36
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 Toby had fastened them to keep the horses from 
 starting off while the fight was on. 
 
 " They re making an awful row in there, Sir, 
 said Toby, jerking his thumb toward the door. " I 
 had to jab one of them fellows, Sir, to make him 
 quiet, and that started the women to yell louder 
 than ever, Sir." He shook his head in disgust. 
 
 I opened the door and looked in. The prison 
 ers were now quiet evidently Toby s " jab " had 
 taught them a lesson in good behaviour but the 
 ladies were embracing each other and one was sob 
 bing unrestrainedly. Zooks ! tis no wonder Toby 
 was disgusted. 
 
 " Up to the coachman s seat, Toby. Let that fel 
 low drive. "We must make haste or we may be 
 waylaid ourselves. 
 
 "Now, Sir," I said, addressing the more impor 
 tant of my prisoners, " if you please to move over a 
 bit you may have the pleasure of my company." 
 Then, as I took my place and slammed the door 
 shut which seemed to justify the Queen in giving 
 another deafening scream we started on at a good 
 pace. 
 
 " Now, Madam," I said to her Majesty, " be not 
 alarmed. You have been rescued from a most das 
 tardly plot, the object of which you may guess. 
 These men, who are my prisoners, were captured in 
 the cowardly attempt. Their companions unfor 
 tunately escaped. I might as well have talked to 
 the moon ; in faith, much better ; for the more I 
 
 37
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 said the more she jabbered. Not so the other lady. 
 The moment I told her she had been rescued from 
 a band of abductors she started and, sitting bolt up 
 right, demanded : 
 
 " And what may you be, Sir ? " 
 
 " I may be many things, Madam ; but one thing I 
 am not, and that is the dupe of abductors nor of 
 the abducted neither," I added meaningly. 
 
 She said not another word, but sank back beside 
 the Queen, around whom she put her arm. This at 
 last quieted her Majesty, who soon uttered no fur 
 ther sound than an occasional sob, half stifled in her 
 handkerchief. 
 
 And thus, without more incident, we came ere 
 long to Whitehall.
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 THAT night, before I left the Palace, the King 
 gave me orders to report to him the next morning, 
 about the hour of ten, as he should then be at leisure 
 to hear a detailed description of the attempted ab 
 duction of the Queen. 
 
 Accordingly, at the appointed time I presented 
 myself in the King s anteroom, fully expecting to 
 be kept waiting for an hour or more, while the lazy 
 monarch should finish his dreams. Great, then, was 
 my surprise when, the moment I entered the room, 
 a gentleman hastened to me and asked if I was 
 Master Everard. In faith he had no great crowd 
 to choose from, there being but three or four others 
 present. I answered that I was ; whereupon he in 
 formed me that the King had been most anxiously 
 awaiting me for the past hour. 
 
 " Something more must have been learned con 
 cerning the conspirators," I thought, as I followed 
 my conductor across the room toward another 
 chamber. "It must be of vast importance, truly, 
 to cause the indolent Charles to rise thus early. 
 Has he discovered the name of the leader of the 
 three ? " I wondered. For the night before he had 
 been sadly disappointed because we had not caught 
 
 39
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 the other tall, Black Masque ; for the fellow we had 
 captured turned out to be a subordinate, the tool of 
 some more powerful knave. 
 
 The King was pacing to and fro across the room 
 when I entered, his head bowed, his brows contracted 
 in a frown, and his hands clasped behind his back. 
 He halted and looked up quickly when ray name 
 was announced, then came toward me eagerly, his 
 swarthy features brightening, as though my coming 
 had lifted a burden from him. 
 
 " Ha ! Everard," he said quickly, " I am pleased 
 mightily to see you. There s more work been cut 
 out for you and your little devil." 
 
 T\vas fortunate Toby was not present, or he 
 should have dropped dead instantly ; his indignation 
 surely would have burst him. 
 
 " Does it concern the same persons with whom 
 we dealt last night, Sir ? " 
 
 " Ay, ay, they must be the same knaves. Od s 
 fish ! I should like the pleasure of seeing them 
 strung up by their necks. Zooks ! the next thing I 
 expect is to be carried off, bed and all, some night 
 whilst I sleep. This sort of outrage must come to 
 a halt. I have permitted too much freedom about 
 the Court. If the ingrates will abuse their liberty, 
 why, I must make an example that will teach them 
 a lesson." 
 
 Twas laughable when the King said he permitted 
 too much freedom about the Court. He had set 
 the example himself, and on his own head rested 
 
 40
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 the onus of having the most dissolute Court in 
 Europe. Possibly I should say after France ; for it 
 is doubtful to which of these two belonged this 
 unenviable distinction. 
 
 I twirled my mustaches patiently while his 
 Majesty made several more turns to and fro before 
 me. 
 
 " You know the lady that accompanied the Queen 
 last night, Sir ? " said he presently, as he came to an 
 abrupt halt before me. 
 
 " Not personally, Sir." 
 
 " Nay, nay ! I mean you remember the lady ? " 
 he laughed. 
 
 " I do indeed, Sir." 
 
 " You saw her enter the Palace by a private door 
 with her Majesty last night ? " 
 
 " I did, Sir. I held the door open whilst both the 
 ladies entered," I replied, wondering what object he 
 could have in asking these foolish questions. 
 
 " Well, Sir, since that time she has disappeared." 
 
 " Zooks ! " 
 
 " Zooks ! You might swear less mildly, and stili 
 not be extravagant. What make you of it ? " 
 
 I gave my mustaches a few thoughtful pulls ere 
 I asked : " Were there any signs of violence ? " 
 
 " No, not so far as I can learn." 
 
 I had an idea how it had happened, but I did not 
 like the thought of informing the King of how 
 willing the said lady was to leave her chair and step 
 into the coach. Instead, I drew forth the sword of 
 
 41
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 the Black-and-white Masque, which, you will remem 
 ber, was picked up by the one faithful chairman 
 after I had driven the two knaves from him. Toby 
 had got it from the fellow after we reached the 
 Palace, and I brought it with me this morning, in 
 place of my own, that I might show it to the King; 
 for engraven on the blade, near the hilt, was a crest 
 and the name : Sir Alfred Heron ; and his Majesty, 
 I made no doubt, would know something of this Sir 
 Alfred. "Without a word I handed it to the King, 
 my finger pointed to the name. 
 
 " Sir Alfred Heron, " he read. " Why, Master 
 Everard, how come you by this gentleman s sword ? " 
 
 " Well, Sir, the owner of the weapon left the lane 
 in such haste last night, when he and his friends 
 tried so unsuccessfully to carry off the Queen, that 
 he forgot to take the blade along with him." 
 
 " What is this ? Sir Alfred in the plot ? Why, 
 Sir, twas his own daughter he was attempting to 
 abduct. The lady was Mistress Heron. Od sn sh! 
 I see through it now. Tis her father that has car 
 ried her off !" 
 
 I regretted being the instrument that conveyed 
 the knowledge to the King that Sir Alfred had car 
 ried off his daughter. Who had a better right to 
 abduct her ? I began to see through the whole 
 affair now, though still there were several points 
 that I could not understand. If this Sir Alfred s 
 only object was the taking away of his daughter 
 from the Court, why had his companion been so 
 
 42
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 anxious to have me put the Queen into the other 
 coach ? Why should they have molested the Queen 
 at all ? And then again, how was it that Monmouth 
 should have been so well acquainted with the plans 
 of the plotters ? I still had my suspicions of the 
 Little Duke. Sir Alfred might have most excellent 
 reasons for wishing his daughter to leave the Court 
 doubtless the young lady had good reasons herself 
 still the actions of this same Sir Alfred were, 
 to say the least, suspicious. I was not sure that 
 he was deserving of sympathy. However, I now 
 should be on my guard. I should learn for what 
 the King wanted me. He should do the talking ; 
 I soon might be placed in a position where it would 
 be in my power to sift this matter to the bottom. 
 Then I could decide who were the deserving and 
 who the guilty. It would be time then for the be 
 stowing of sympathy. Meantime I would keep my 
 thoughts to myself. They there would be in no 
 one s way. 
 
 The King paced back and forth angrily, jerking 
 out short, quick sentences, besprinkled most liberally 
 with oaths. I could not catch all that he said, for 
 his words seemed addressed more to himself than 
 me. But I distinctly heard him repeat several 
 times : " Ha ! Sir Alfred, so tis you, after all. I 
 have been on the wrong scent. So, so, that is the 
 way you would thwart me ! Od s fish ! you have 
 taken the wrong course. Tis time I put my foot 
 down. Zooks ! I ll not be so boldly defied. 
 
 43
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " Master Everard," he said suddenly, as he again 
 came to a halt before me, " are you ready to under 
 take another affair for me ? " 
 
 " That depends, Sir, on what the affair is," I 
 replied guardedly ; for I had no intention of mixing 
 myself up in any of his disgraceful amours ; and I 
 suspected, after what he had said of the lady, it was 
 something after this kind for which he desired my 
 services. 
 
 The King flushed in anger ; then, after a moment, 
 in which my eyes were on his own, he burst into 
 laughter. 
 
 " Upon my soul, Everard, I never have met the 
 like of you before. I know of no other man that 
 dare to speak to me as you do. Your bluntness 
 takes one s breath away, and yet," he added, still 
 laughing, " the manner is mighty becoming, and I 
 can t help liking it in you ; though at first tis a bit 
 shocking." 
 
 I made no comment, and the King went on : 
 
 " Well, then, the matter that I wish you to take 
 in hand is the arrest of this Sir Alfred Heron, 
 whose sword you already have captured. Tis to 
 be hoped he may be as successfully taken. Do you 
 consent ? " 
 
 I could see no reason for refusing. In fact I 
 was most curious to unravel the little mysteries 
 connected with this affair. I readily consented. 
 
 " His arrest, as you can understand, must be most 
 secret. I merely wish him to be prevented from 
 
 44
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 leaving his estate at present, i shall place what 
 ever number of men you wish at your disposal. 
 You shall need at least a half dozen, besides your 
 great Toby." Here the King smiled as he thought 
 of the little swordsman. " I shall send you further 
 instructions when I hear that you have laid hands 
 on your prisoner." 
 
 " Shall I report to your Majesty here ? " 
 
 " Yes, for the remainder of this week. The Court 
 will leave Whitehall for Dover next week. If I 
 hear not from you before I leave, I shall send you 
 directions as to what you are to do with Sir Alfred." 
 
 " "Where shall I seek my prisoner, Sir ? " 
 
 " His estate is in Kent, not far from Canterbury. 
 I shall send with you an officer that knows the 
 way." 
 
 " How soon shall we set out, Sir ? " 
 
 " How soon can you be ready ? " 
 
 " Within the hour, Sir." 
 
 " Then within the hour you shall set out. No 
 time may be spared. If Sir Alfred should learn 
 that his treachery has been discovered, I believe he 
 will take at once to flight. If he be allowed time 
 in which to leave his home, you are like to have 
 difficulty in capturing him. And captured he must 
 be. Od s fish ! I will turn England upside down, 
 but he shall not escape ! " And he struck his 
 clenched fist into his other palm, by way of emphasis. 
 
 I was not surprised that his Majesty s temper 
 was roused, for, to tell the truth, the abduction of 
 
 45
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 a lady from the Court was a most monstrous dar 
 ing enterprise. Yet, behind all this cause that he 
 had for wrath and I think there is none that will 
 not admit it was sufficient I thought I saw another 
 reason for his determination to prevent this Sir 
 Alfred s escape. Tis possible it was my knowledge 
 of the King s failings that caused me to look for 
 other than most apparent causes for this thirst for 
 revenge. I could not help feeling a sort of mis 
 chievous delight because this Mistress Heron had 
 succeeded in making her escape from this place, 
 which evidently was not to her liking. Heaven 
 knows I had no love for women ; yet my sympa 
 thies ever have been with the weaker side, provid 
 ing, of course, that the weaker side be possessed of 
 some kind of virtue. In this case the King un 
 doubtedly was the stronger. And as for virtue 
 well, his absolute ignorance of what that word 
 meant was his only excuse for not possessing tlie 
 quality. 
 
 " I shall send you a warrant by the officer that I 
 shall place under your command," he said, after a 
 few more turns about the room, which exercise 
 seemed to have a soothing effect upon his anger. 
 
 I bowed and started to withdraw. 
 
 " Ah ! I had forgot ; I am your debtor. You 
 shall doubtless need money. I know how mighty 
 inconvenient tis to be without it. Zooks! I would 
 that I could gain it as easily as do you, Master 
 Everard. You have but to fight for a living. I 
 
 46
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 must both fight and beg for mine." And he made 
 a grimace, and laughed good-naturedly. " You 
 shall have what I owe you, Everard. I ll send you 
 a purse by the officer." He nodded smilingly, 
 turned with a sigh, and strolled leisurely across the 
 room to a door in the opposite wall, while I bowed 
 deeply to his back and withdrew. 
 
 Zooks! but this Charles was an odd mixture for 
 a king. 
 
 47
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 AN hour after I left Whitehall an officer and six 
 men rode into the court-yard of the inn at which I 
 was staying. The officer hastily dismounted and 
 advanced to where I had been standing for some 
 moments, awaiting his arrival. 
 
 " Have I the honour to address Master Everard, 
 Sir?" he asked. 
 
 " That is my name, Sir," I answered, advancing 
 my hand for the weighty looking document that he 
 held toward me. 
 
 As I glanced hurriedly over the parchment 
 which was my warrant for the arrest of one Sir 
 Alfred Heron the young gentleman explained 
 briefly that he was Sir Charles Rawley, Bart., a 
 lieutenant in the King s guards, with orders from the 
 King to place himself and his men under my com 
 mand for special service ; all of which (with the 
 exception of the fact that he was Sir Charles 
 Rawley, Bart., a person with a monstrous opinion 
 of his own importance) I knew before. He then 
 drew forth a purse of gold, which he handed to me 
 with the words : " With the compliments of his 
 Majesty the King." 
 
 I called Toby and gave the order to set out at once. 
 
 48
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 In ten minutes we rode forth from the inn ; in ten 
 more we were crossing the bridge, and within three 
 quarters of an hour after receiving the King s war 
 rant we had left the city far behind. 
 
 Thanks to the weather the road was good, so we 
 made fast time, having put something more than 
 fifteen miles between London and us by one o clock, 
 when we halted at a wayside inn for our midday 
 meal. We rested here but an hour, and then pro 
 ceeded at the same round pace, for I was deter 
 mined to reach the house of Sir Alfred before night 
 fall. 
 
 Sir Charles proved to be a better companion than 
 I had at first thought him, being free of conversa 
 tion that is, if the answering of questions may be 
 called conversation. I could see from his manner, 
 however, that he felt himself in no way honoured 
 by being placed under my command, though, to do 
 the boy justice, he tried mightily to keep from 
 showing it. Had I been ten years younger this 
 might have caused me annoyance, but having 
 brushed shoulders with so many and so various 
 animals I found it more amusing than otherwise, 
 and would now and again indulge in some petty 
 familiarity, merely for the diversion of watching his 
 hidden resentment. Think not from this that I was 
 born with an even temper. On the contrary, the 
 devil supplied me with an abundance of fire. But 
 I never was one that sought a quarrel (though I 
 never have avoided one), and though there are many 
 
 4 49
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 to whom my manner is irritating, I am slow to fall 
 out with them for that reason. To this boy I 
 was but a swaggering adventurer, a fighter of duels, 
 a brawler at inns, who was now on "a service in 
 keeping with my reputation ; while he was a 
 gentleman born and bred, to whom it was but 
 scant honour to be engaged in such an enterprise. 
 He was right. Twas amusing, upon my soul ! 
 But he like many another did not know Mark 
 Everard. 
 
 But as the afternoon wore on 1 began gradually 
 to form another opinion of the young officer- 
 Becoming less frozen under the warmth of my 
 apparently confiding and careless manner, he 
 perhaps unconsciously grew more familiar. He 
 began by asking me of affairs in France, having 
 previously learned from my conversation that I had 
 been returned from there but a few days ; then 
 England became the subject England in general- 
 then the Court, the King, the Queen, and finally he 
 mentioned a thing of no less importance than the 
 King s presence at the May -pole dance the night 
 before. It was at this point that my opinion of the 
 young gentleman underwent the change. Was it 
 possible that this boy, this stripling, was attempting 
 to draw me out ? Twas absurd ! Yet, how knew 
 he of the King s presence at the dance ? Might 
 there not be something in this young man that I 
 had not looked for? Most assuredly I had every 
 reason to be on my guard. Did not I suspect the 
 
 50
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 young Duke of Monmouth of being connected with 
 the abduction plot ? "Well, then, if i/he affair was of 
 sufficient importance for his Grace to mix himself 
 up in and take such monstrous risks, was it not to 
 be expected that a person who had played so im 
 portant a part in the aifair as had one Mark Everard 
 would be worth keeping an eye on? It suddenly 
 occurred to me, as I asked myself these questions, 
 that this Sir Charles Rawley was not all that I had 
 thought him or, rather, he was more, much 
 more. 
 
 I did not let my companion see that my suspicions 
 were aroused, but, on the contrary, discussed the 
 matter freely with him. 
 
 " Does his Majesty make a practice of attending 
 such merry-makings ? " I asked. 
 
 " Oh, yes, though for some time past he has 
 gone most secretly." 
 
 " And was he used to go more openly, then ? " I 
 asked in apparent surprise. I was setting a trap 
 for Sir Charles. 
 
 " Yes, he has been more careful since some time 
 since the Queen, who accompanied him, was left 
 alone, sitting in her chair, and managed to reach 
 the Palace only with great difficulty and danger. 
 Some there were that spoke of a plot to have her 
 Majesty abducted, and that she was left thus alone 
 that the abductors might the more easily succeed. 
 Of course twas absurd," he added with a depre 
 ciating shrug. " But when this story got abroad
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 his Majesty s ministers advised him to discontinue 
 the practice." 
 
 " And how long is it since this amusing incident 
 occurred ? " I smiled. 
 
 " Tis some two years since. Twas before my 
 time at Court. Since then, until last night, the 
 
 Quo He broke off abruptly and turned scarlet 
 
 to the roots of his hair. 
 
 I spurred my horse sharply on the side farther 
 from Sir Charles, and as the beast pranced and 
 sidled angrily under my tight rein, I swore roundly 
 at him, that the young gentleman might labour 
 under the delusion that I had not noted his lapsus 
 linguae. 
 
 " Your pardon, Sir," I said, when my mount 
 again walked quietly : " I did not hear your last 
 remark." 
 
 " Ah ! yes ; twas about his Majesty, I think. I 
 said he has been more careful as to where the Queen 
 goes since that night. Her Majesty is not now 
 permitted to indulge in such romantic frolics. For 
 that was romantic; was it not?" He laughed 
 uneasily. 
 
 " Yes, indeed," I replied, and started on at a 
 gallop. 
 
 I had made a discovery. My companion knew of 
 the Queen s presence at the dance of the previous 
 night. Besides this, he did not wish me to know of 
 his knowledge, else he would not have checked 
 himself so confusedly when he saw he was telling 
 
 52
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 too much. Was there no end to the number of the 
 conspirators? Yet, when I came to think of it 
 as I did to the accompaniment of the horses hoofs 
 beating upon the hard road, the clank of scabbards, 
 the jingle of spurs, as we dashed ahead twas quite 
 to be expected that they the conspirators would 
 have some one sent with me that would keep them 
 informed as to my success or lack of it. If Mon- 
 mouth, or any one else of power, was in their ranks 
 twas no trouble to have one of their trusted men 
 chosen as the officer to accompany me. Well, they 
 had sent one that was not over deep, and I 
 had partly found him out, so I felt no great uneasi 
 ness for the present. I should keep a close watch 
 on the Baronet and try to find out what were his 
 plans before he should have an opportunity of 
 carrying them to a point where they might seriously 
 interfere with mine. It was quite likely, though, 
 that his men were of his own colour, and doubtless 
 they were thoroughly posted as to the part each 
 was to play. Seven against two ! If the plot 
 ters were determined to carry their designs out 
 boldly, Toby and I seemed destined to find ourselves 
 in a most interesting situation. Zooks ! twould not 
 be the first time for us to find ourselves in such cir 
 cumstances. But now, as I thought of this young 
 man s attempting to outwit so old a hand as was I, 
 I must confess the situation struck me as somewhat 
 new. Yes, it was original ; and then, as I thought 
 OH it the more, it seemed almost laughable. I 
 
 53
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 turned to glance at Sir Charles ; he was watching 
 me with a troubled look upon his boyish features. 
 That was the climax ; I had to turn my face away 
 and spur my horse, that he might not see me burst 
 out laughing. 
 
 By this time the sun was sinking low. In another 
 hour he would be gone for the night. There was no 
 time for more talk. Sir Alfred s home must be 
 reached in that hour ; and our horses were weary, 
 and Sir Charles informed me that we were yet some 
 eight or ten miles from our destination. There was 
 no drawing of reins, but the spur soon was plied 
 freely, and a neck was clapped encouragingly, and 
 an oath was rolled out roughly, when an uncertain 
 step was made. Our party soon became less compact, 
 the weaker beasts, or those that bore the greatest 
 weights, gradually dropping behind. 
 
 " We turn here, Sir," called out Sir Charles, as we 
 drew near a road leading to the right. 
 
 " How much farther ? " I panted, as we halted at 
 the corner, that we might permit the stragglers to 
 overtake us. 
 
 " But one league more, Sir ; and the sun is still 
 twenty minutes from the earth," he answered, as he 
 followed my example of using the hat as a fan. 
 
 The roads were dry, and we were a sorry sight, 
 covered as we were with dust from head to foot. 
 
 Then on we went at a painful gallop for two miles 
 more, the horses heads wobbling wearily ; then a 
 trot became our fastest pace, and with our followers 
 
 54
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 again strung far out behind, we came at last to the 
 gates of Heron Hall just as the sun s rim disappeared 
 behind the wooded horizon. 
 
 I pulled at the bell-chain, shook the iron gate 
 vigorously and shouted several times, ere I suc 
 ceeded in getting the porter from his lodge. Pres 
 ently, however, he came to the other side of the gate 
 and looked through at us stupidly, asking no ques 
 tions, nor making any move to admit us. 
 
 " Come, my man, open quickly. Zounds ! tis not 
 you we have come to see," I snapped, annoyed by 
 his sullen stare. 
 
 " Who are you? " he growled, without moving a 
 muscle. 
 
 u The devil ! What is that to you ? Open that 
 gate at once, sirrah, or I ll wear out my scabbard 
 upon your back when I do get in ! " 
 
 " When you do get in, ! " he repeated with a shrug 
 of his shoulders, and turned to walk away. 
 
 " Halt 1 " I shouted, drawing a pistol and taking 
 aim through the bars of the gate. " Come back here 
 and open this gate, or you ll never open another ! " 
 
 He stopped and looked back, scowling. " There 
 would be no one to open it for you at all if you 
 killed me," he replied deliberately. 
 
 " Zooks ! you should be as useful to me dead as 
 you are living." 
 
 " No, I wouldn t," he contradicted in the same 
 dull tones. 
 
 " Why ? " I questioned, studying the strange 
 
 55
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 creature. Twas evident this fellow could not be 
 frightened. He spoke the truth ; twould do me no 
 good to kill him, and although it looked as if he 
 would be of but little use to me living, yet tis sel 
 dom that a quick man is not better than a dead. And 
 besides all this, I am no assassin, and had no thought 
 of shooting him. 
 
 " Because, if you will wait, I ll ask the master if 
 you re to be admitted." And not waiting my reply, 
 he started slowly up the winding drive toward the 
 house. 
 
 I heard a gruff oath behind me, and turned in time 
 to see Toby shaking his fist at the disappearing 
 porter. 
 
 " He s just trying to gain time, Sir," said the 
 little man angrily. " I d like to know what s going 
 on up at the house, Sir." 
 
 " Zooks ! I believe you are right. Is there an 
 other entrance to the park, Sir Charles ? " 
 
 " Od s fish ! yes, Sir," he answered with a start. 
 " It s on the other side, almost opposite this one." 
 
 " Then while we wait here they may be making 
 their escape. Tis as you say, Toby ; the porter is 
 gaining time. Quick ! hold my rein. That gate 
 must be opened." 
 
 I sprang to the ground and, warning my com 
 panions to keep well back, placed iny pistol to the 
 great lock and fired. There was a sharp report, a 
 ringing in my ears, and a tingling sensation in the 
 fingers ; but the gates remained locked together, in 
 
 56
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 spite of the vigorous shaking I gave them to test the 
 effect of the shot. I hastened back to my saddle 
 and got my other pistol. This time there must be 
 no failure. Every moment given to Sir Alfred 
 robbed me of a chance of capturing him. I did not 
 believe he had left ; for if he had, the porter would not 
 have acted so strangely. A weary ride of over forty 
 miles, and then have our game escape us just as we 
 arrived at the gate ! No, no ; the lock must burst 
 this time. I put my whole will into the shot. It 
 could not fail. I aimed the pistol at an angle, so 
 that it pointed in the direction in which the bolt 
 should go. Very carefully I fired, that I might not 
 displace the muzzle. A crash !the pistol flew out 
 of my hands ; burnt powder blew into my face ; 
 I gave the gates a shake, then another, and at the 
 third attempt they swung slowly open. Twas 
 fortunate they were not barred, or we should have 
 been forced to abandon our horses, climb the wall, 
 and make our way to the house on foot, which would 
 have consumed much time, and would have left us 
 in a position in which we should have been unable 
 to pursue the fugitives in case they already should 
 have left. 
 
 " Quick, Toby, my horse ! " I called, snatching up 
 the pistol 1 had dropped. 
 
 In a moment he was at my side. I sprang into 
 the saddle, clapped spurs to the poor beast s tender 
 sides, and galloped up the drive with all possible 
 speed, my companions at my heels. This drive was. 
 
 57
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 as I have said, winding ; but this condition lasted 
 only a little way ; for when we had thundered across 
 a bridge the path divided, one branch running to the 
 left, the other to the right, both circling round a 
 series of terraces, upon the topmost of which a 
 stately mansion stood. We took the right, dashing 
 ahead along the circling, ever-rising drive. Now 
 we could see the whole front and left wing of the 
 house. . . . Still no sign of life. 
 
 "This way!" I cried, and swung to the right, 
 that we might make a complete circle around the 
 place. Down the left wing we went, past little 
 casements and great bow windows, turned to the 
 left again, round the corner and almost crashed 
 against a coach, into which a man of about fifty 
 was hastily handing a lady. The driver already was 
 in his seat, and two mounted and armed men stood 
 by the rear wheels. 
 
 Instantly confusion reigned. The guards they 
 were the chairmen of the night before drew their 
 pistols and faced us boldly. The coachman, in his 
 excitement forgetting that his master was not yet 
 in the coach, lashed his horses and started off, almost 
 throwing the gentleman to the earth. 
 
 " Quick, Toby, the carriage ! " I cried. But lie 
 had not waited for his cue. lie was off the moment 
 the coach had started. The guards levelled their 
 pistols and shouted to him to halt. lie gave a 
 whoop and rode still faster. Now he was directly 
 in front of them. Shots rang out, but Tobv rode on 
 
 58
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 unharmed. At the moment of their fire he had 
 thrown himself upon his horse s neck; the bullets 
 passed harmlessly over his back ; and before the 
 guards could recover from their surprise he was past 
 them, was beside the running coach-horses and 
 reaching for their reins. The crowd of servants in 
 the background (at their head stood the surly 
 porter), myself and my followers thought of nothing 
 but the exciting race between my little friend and 
 the coachman. Several fruitless attempts Toby 
 made to seize the leader s bit. . . . Then at last he 
 had it and a cheer went up from seven parched 
 throats. ... Sir Charles was silent. 
 
 In the King s name, put up your weapons," I com 
 manded, turning to Sir Alfred s men. 
 
 They hesitated, looked nervously at their master, 
 but slowly lowered the points of their pistols. 
 
 " Put up your arms, my men," Sir Alfred said 
 quietly. " We are not attacked by robbers, as you 
 have good excuse to think. That these gentlemen 
 feared to miss me is doubtless the reason for their 
 so startling appearance. Ah ! Sir Charles Rawley, 
 as I live ! " he cried with seeming surprise and an 
 attempt at pleasure. " Tis fortunate you arrived 
 when you did ; I was about to set out for the house 
 of a friend, there to spend the night." And he un 
 covered and flourished his hat after the most ap 
 proved fashion. 
 
 The growing darkness partially concealed the 
 
 59
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 young officer s embarrassment, as he made answer 
 to this greeting. 
 
 The coach now was drawing near, Toby riding at 
 the horses heads and leading them slowly. 
 
 I dismounted and approached Sir Alfred. 
 
 " And you, Sir ? " said he, facing me haughtily, 
 his eyebrows raised in what was meant to be most 
 withering surprise, " I think I have not had the 
 honour of meeting you before." 
 
 " For which I crave your pardon, Sir. Tis no 
 fault of mine, I assure you. I did my best, Sir, but 
 I tripped on that confounded corpse, you see, and 
 before I could rise we had become separated." And 
 with my gauntlet I flicked the dust from my boot- 
 tops. 
 
 He started as though I had dealt him a blow. 
 For a moment he stood silent, then he seemed to 
 pull himself together, as though to face the matter 
 out boldly. " And what is your errand here, Sir ? " 
 he snapped. 
 
 " I come from the King, who wishes to thank you 
 for the present you made him." 
 
 " Present ? " he puzzled. 
 
 " Your sword," I smiled. 
 
 Sir Alfred started. " Is that all ? " he asked 
 coldly. 
 
 " And I came also to see that you do not commit 
 the indiscretion that I am just in time to prevent 
 namely, your going abroad. The King fears for 
 your health, Sir, and has sent me to you that you 
 
 60
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 may not lack companionship during your indisposi 
 tion. Until your physician the King shall direct 
 otherwise, you must not, under any circumstances, 
 endanger your life by leaving your estate." 
 
 " Cease your buffoonery, Sir ! Do you mean to 
 sav that I am under arrest 3 " 
 
 / 
 
 " Tis a rough way of putting it, for that s what 
 we say of thieves ; but if it s more to your liking, 
 why, then, we will so name it." 
 
 " Doubtless you have a warrant ? " 
 
 " Doubtless, Sir." 
 
 " Mayhap you will be kind enough to permit me 
 to see it ? " 
 
 " I will, Sir, provided you take me to a light." 
 
 He seemed not inclined to ask me to enter the 
 house, for he sent a servant for a lanthorn. "When 
 this was come I held the warrant whilst he with 
 trembling finger traced along each line. 
 
 " And my daughter ? " he gasped, when he had 
 done. " My God ! is England come to be worse 
 than France ? " 
 
 " Hush, Sir," I said softly in his ear, holding the 
 document between my face and Sir Charles ; " be 
 careful what words you use ; they may be brought 
 to face you." 
 
 He turned and eyed me in wonder, his expression 
 showing half suspicion and half confidence. 
 
 " Give me your word of honour as a gentleman 
 and a soldier that neither you nor your daughter 
 will leave your house without first warning me, and 
 
 61
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 I will see to it that you shall not be put to greater 
 inconvenience than is necessary," I went on in the 
 same low tone. 
 
 " Why do you speak thus, as though you were my 
 friend, though tis but a moment since you insulted 
 me ? " he asked quietly. 
 
 " Because I have a mystery to unravel ; not for 
 any kindly feeling I bear you. What do you say ? 
 Are my terms acceptable ? " 
 
 " What if I should decline ? " 
 
 " You and your daughter shall be placed under 
 guard night and day." 
 
 " Then I accept." 
 
 " I also give you this advice. Do not under any 
 circumstances place the smallest trust in your ac 
 quaintance, Sir Charles Rawley, yonder." 
 
 Sir Alfred gave me a lightning glance from the 
 corner of his eye. 
 
 " You think he can be trusted because of what he 
 knows of this matter." I was trying a chance shot. 
 It struck home. Sir Alfred stared at me in wonder. 
 
 " Remember what I have said. I have asked no 
 questions. I merely have put you on your guard. I 
 repeat : tis from no liking I bear you ; but I now 
 am assured that there is more in this whole affair 
 than some of the principals think." 
 
 " What is it, father ? " asked a soft, sweet voice 
 beside us. 
 
 I felt inclined to tell a lie, as I turned and saw 
 her noble form and face soft]y outlined in the 
 
 62
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 lanthorn light, her eyes wide with anxiety, her lips 
 apart in fear ; but her father prevented me. He 
 knew his daughter s nature well. 
 
 " We are now under arrest, my clear, by order of 
 the King. 1 have given my word to Master Everard, 
 here, that neither you hor I will make any attempt 
 to leave our house without first warning him." 
 
 The maiden turned to me, her eyes flashing with 
 indignation, her lip curled in scorn ; but he put his 
 hand upon her arm. 
 
 " Hush, Virginia ; give this gentleman no insult. 
 Tis by his courtesy we are not placed under guard. 
 He is but doing his duty." 
 
 " And is it because I ? " 
 
 " Silence, Virginia ! Tis by the King s com 
 mand."
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 HATING retired an hour after supper on the night 
 of my arrival at Heron Hall, I was refreshed suf 
 ficiently to be stirring by sunrise next morning. 
 
 The ever-awake Toby knocked at my door 
 almost at the moment my foot touched the floor. 
 
 " Are we the first to be risen ? " I asked, as I 
 admitted him. 
 
 " The servants have been about for some little 
 time, Sir. But they re doing nothing but humming 
 like a swarm of bees. One would think 1 was the 
 Devil himself, from the way they have watched me. 
 We ll be mighty lucky if we get any breakfast this 
 morning, Sir ; they re so excited and frightened by 
 our coming that twill take them until noon at least 
 to get down to work." 
 
 " So much the better, Toby ; their delay will give 
 us time to take a look about the place. Tis neces 
 sary that we become familiar with it, for who knows 
 that we shall not have need of our knowledge before 
 we leave ? And besides, Toby, I think it well that 
 we should have a confidential talk." 
 
 Toby said nothing. He cocked his head and gave 
 me a sharp, quick glance from the corner of his eye, 
 then smiled gently, and held the door wide while I 
 went out. 
 
 64
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 As we passed the right front corner of the man 
 sion, on our way to a winding path bordered with 
 fresh green and fantastically-trimmed bushes, we 
 suddenly came upon the fellow that had refused us 
 admission at the gates the night before. For that I 
 bore him no malice. No, not for that ; but he had 
 a face that made me hate him, though for why I 
 could not tell. Twas not over ugly, but there was 
 an expression in his dead black eyes that reminded 
 me of a drowsy snake, and prompted me to crush 
 him. There was nothing spiteful nor bold in his 
 look, but it seemed to possess a kind of dead deviltry, 
 as though a fiend reposed behind a masque of lifeless 
 flesh. His movements were slow and awkward, and 
 his expression never changed from its natural scowl. 
 Though I almost knocked against him, he neither 
 paused nor started, but merely turned his bloodless 
 face toward me and passed on, without even alter 
 ing his course. 
 
 " Zounds ! my fine fellow, you are possessed of 
 an abundance of impudence and ill manners. Know 
 you not that you should stand aside while a gentle 
 man passes, and not thrust yourself thus rudely 
 across his path ? " I demanded. 
 
 " Ay, I do," he replied slowly, as he came to a 
 halt and turned but half toward me. 
 
 " Then remember to do it in future. And hark ! " 
 
 I called, as he turned again to go. " Whenever you 
 
 have occasion to speak to me again, add Sir to what 
 
 you may have to say. I may find it necessary to 
 
 5 65
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 give more lessons in manners before I leave 
 here." 
 
 As I spoke the last word he started off down the 
 circling drive toward the gate. 
 
 " TVould give me rare pleasure to toast that liz 
 ard on a sword-point," Toby growled, as he stepped 
 into the path. 
 
 " It looks as though we are to have our hands 
 full ere we shall have finished this business, Toby. 
 What think you of the men the King has sent to 
 assist us ? " 
 
 " I found out that they have all served under the 
 Little Duke, Sir, Sir Charles with the rest." 
 
 "Ho! ho! "Worse than I had thought, though not 
 much. I discovered yesterday that Sir Charles is 
 in the plot. Something tells me this Sir Alfred is 
 the dupe of more daring conspirators. If I could 
 but get a clue as to what their real plans are, we 
 might have a good chance to defeat them. Until 
 we do get that information, Toby, my man, we are 
 fighting in the dark. Yes, I hate mightily to 
 admit it, but I see no key yet." 
 
 " "Well, Sir, I just got a sight of it now, and in 
 a minute you ll see it too, Sir." He chuckled 
 softly. 
 
 "Was it possible Toby was jesting? I never had 
 known him to make light of a serious matter before. 
 And where was this key to the situation, of which 
 he spoke so knowingly ? I confess I was on the 
 verge of being annoyed somewhat, as I asked him 
 
 66
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 what the key was, which he so suddenly had dis 
 covered, and which had escaped ray eyes. 
 
 The little man put his finger to his lip, held his 
 left hand upon his hilt, and keeping as close to the 
 side of the path as possible, he tiptoed along, beckon 
 ing me to follow. For a half-score paces we went 
 thus, then he craned his neck carefully, as he leaned 
 far out and glanced round a gentle bend. " There 
 it is, Sir, or I don t know my sword from a soup- 
 ladle," he whispered. 
 
 I followed his example, and leaned round the 
 corner cautiously. For a moment I stared with 
 open mouth, then retreated a pace and faced my 
 servant, whose eyes were dancing with amusement. 
 His mustaches were twirled in satisfaction. 
 
 " So you think that is the key ? " I asked, half- 
 smiling. " Are you sure it is not something of more 
 importance ? Don t you think the real plot is at 
 Whitehall ? " 
 
 " Yes, Sir, I think the real plot is at Whitehall, 
 but I think most of the work will be done here." 
 
 "And how about the Queen ? " 
 
 " She has played her part, Sir, I think." 
 
 This seemed of sufficient weight to warrant me in 
 giving a few pulls at my upper lip. Toby had made 
 a good point. He almost had changed my opinion 
 as to the plans of the conspirators. I knew from 
 experience that Toby could see through a tolerably 
 thick fog; therefore his opinion was of importance. 
 True, twas worthy of deep consideration, yet I did 
 
 67
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 not feel safe in accepting it as final. A few days 
 more \vould decide definitely whether the chief 
 action in this comedy (or tragedy) should take place 
 at Whitehall or Heron Hall. Truth to tell, my 
 own opinion began to take the same form as Toby s, 
 but I would not decide positively until I should have 
 sent my messenger to the King and received a 
 reply. 
 
 Again I peeped carefully around the corner. She 
 was standing upon the farther end of a little rustic 
 bridge, not more than twenty paces distant. She 
 was robed in white, and stood statue-like in the 
 broken morning sunbeams glancing through the 
 leaves. In one hand she held a bunch of flowers, 
 with the other she leaned upon the rough cedar 
 railing at the bridge-side. She had no thought of 
 our presence, as she gazed sadly down into the clear 
 waters at her feet. As we looked she raised her 
 head slowly, pressed her handkerchief to her eyes, 
 then resumed her former attitude, staring at the 
 brook. 
 
 I stepped back behind the bushes, Toby following 
 my example. Our eyes met. His face wore an ex 
 pression I seldom had seen it have before. Ilis 
 colour was heightened, and when he caught my eye, 
 Slife ! he did nothing less surprising than drop his 
 lids, as though in shame. True, he tried for a mo 
 ment to bluster it off, for carefully he pulled up one 
 boot-top and then the other, as though their position 
 was of the greatest consequence. Then he gave a 
 
 68
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 great twist at his mustaches, but for some unac 
 countable reason even it seemed to droop instead of 
 bristle. I must confess I had something of the 
 same lack of ease, myself. I know not if I showed 
 it, but well I didn t feel proud of myself no, not 
 a jot. Nor was Toby s look inclined to stimulate 
 my self respect. Here was an old soldier, who for 
 years had been accustomed to share in all manner 
 of harsh undertakings, ashamed of his part in the 
 hunting down and handing over to her persecutors 
 of a poor defenceless maiden. Faith ! the affair 
 had no pleasing aspect, if my orders were to be car 
 ried out. A half-score of men, backed by the King s 
 commands, engaged in the courageous undertaking 
 of capturing a maiden of twenty summers ! Held 
 in that light, tis no wonder we both blushed. But 
 as I reconsidered the situation I thought less poorly 
 of myself. If I had refused the commission, some one 
 else would have taken it up. In that case the posi 
 tion of the lady would have been no better doubt 
 less worse, for now, before she should be handed 
 over to the King or anyone else I should have 
 full knowledge of the plot centred at Whitehall, 
 and would have a good care that my servant should 
 not have occasion again to blush for his master. 
 I decided that he was deserving of a pat upon the 
 back, which I at once administered. 
 
 " Toby, my man," I smiled, " you have misjudged 
 me. But I am glad of it, for now I have discovered 
 of what stuff you are made. You think we have
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 fallen somewhat because we are instruments in the 
 persecution of this poor lady." (The little man 
 fidgeted uneasily.) " But there, Toby, is where you 
 wrong me. I admit I fell somewhat in my own 
 estimation when it occurred to me that we were the 
 persecutors. But we are not, Toby ; no, I ll see the 
 King and all in hell before I ll take up the work of 
 catching mistresses for him ! But remember this 
 also : there are these plots to unravel. If I find 
 that this lady is the innocent victim of those knaves 
 at Whitehall, she shall not be handed over to the 
 King. But remember, my man, we have a most 
 difficult part to play. I took up the King s com 
 mission, not for gold this time, but because I thought 
 we were the only two men in England capable of 
 seeing fair play. I have not over-estimated our 
 task ; we shall have work yet in this affair as diffi 
 cult as any we ever have had, or I have not read the 
 signs aright. "Watch night and day, Toby, and re 
 member, you never shall have cause to blush for 
 your master, so long as that master is Mark Everard." 
 " Oh, Sir, it wasn t that," he stammered. " Don t 
 think that of me, Sir ! I I didn t like to see you 
 mixed up with a woman ; that was all, Sir. You 
 know this is the first time we have had to catch a 
 young woman, and I, well, Sir, you know how 
 these kings soon make devils of them, Sir even of 
 the best of them, Sir. You know we ve always 
 somehow kept out of such scrapes and I well, I 
 thought it might bring bring bad luck, if we 
 
 70
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 started in now. Besides, Sir, she doesn t look as 
 though she ought to be mixed up in this kind of 
 thing, does she ? " 
 
 By this time he had almost annihilated a tender 
 shrub that grew by the path, by pulling a sprout 
 from it as he started each sentence. 
 
 " Why, that s exactly what I say, my friend," I 
 said kindly, putting my hand upon his shoulder. 
 " I meant not to hurt your feelings, Toby. The 
 same thought occurred to me as did to you. Come, 
 we understand the situation, and ourselves, better 
 than we did. Think no more of what we each have 
 said ; we shall require all our time in the successful 
 carrying out of our plans. And now, if you will re 
 turn to the house and learn at what hour breakfast 
 will be prepared, I shall await you at ah, say, the 
 little bridge yonder." 
 
 " Yery well, Sir," he replied, in his accustomed 
 short, quick way ; but his face wore an anxious 
 expression as he started back toward the house. 
 
 " So little Toby has a heart, has he, with all his 
 gruffness and savage visage," I mused, as I stood 
 and watched his retreating figure. " True, I always 
 have known that he \vould die for me, but I never 
 dreamed that he could be troubled with sentiment 
 like this. And yet, when he first spied her on the 
 bridge he laughed, as though her capture was amus 
 ing. Strange ! It must have been her weeping j 
 Bah ! tears are the cause of more mistakes than 
 wine. Toby, Toby, my boy, you must stop such 
 
 71
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 nonsense. Zounds ! if this tenderness of heart 
 should become a permanent affliction with you, I 
 should be turned into a housewife, my cloak changed 
 for a shawl, and my hand, made hard by years of 
 swordsmanship, should then be softened, so to stitch 
 with silk. No, Toby ; a heart is a mighty bad 
 thing for our business. You must kill it, Toby ; it 
 never will do." And so, grumbling, I strolled down 
 to the little bridge. 
 
 So occupied was I with these thoughts that I did 
 not raise my eyes from the path until I stepped 
 upon the bridge, and then twas with a start, as I 
 remembered Mistress Heron. Great was my sur 
 prise to find that she had gone. I stood alone on 
 the rustic structure ; the maiden had disappeared. 
 Nor could she be seen along the path on the other 
 side. " She must have gone while Toby and I were 
 talking," I thought, leaning upon the slender rail 
 ing, and peering into the little brook. " She must 
 be warned against this wandering alone through 
 the park, for who can tell if this Sir Charles would 
 not dare to have her disappear ? It could easily be 
 done, and the blame would rest on me. You must 
 stop your strolling, Mistress Heron, or I shall be 
 compelled to lock you up, or send Toby with you 
 on your walks." I moved a few paces farther, fol 
 lowing the movements of a fair-sized fish, which 
 glided cautiously along near the bottom of the 
 stream, his nose pointing to the sand, his head turned 
 to one side, as though he sought for worms. Be- 
 
 72
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 hind him went a score of little ones, following their 
 leader s every move. If he turned his head to the 
 right, they immediately followed his lead ; if to the 
 left, the same ; and even when he nibbled at a bit 
 of rock confound the little idiots ! but they did 
 likewise. 
 
 " Whitehall ! " I laughed. There goes the King, 
 indolent as the devil, yet nibbling at everything ; and 
 after him the Court, made up of smaller fish, apeing 
 his every act. Gad! Heron Hall is well up in the 
 fashion ; even the fishes follow the example of the 
 martyr s son." 
 
 " Ha! what is this ? Crumbs, eh ! So that is the 
 attraction that has drawn the little Court. So, so, 
 Mistress Heron, this is what brought you to the 
 rustic bridge so early. You encourage this royal 
 pomp and luxury. Have a care, have a care, Madam, 
 that you become not a crumb yourself, a crumb for 
 that of which this is a miniature reproduction. I ad 
 mit, tis a pretty toy, but the principle is dangerous, 
 most dangerous, for one in your circumstances." 
 
 The King and his Court darted under the bridge. 
 " Some new attraction, eh ! " I stepped to the other 
 sidej leaned over started and stared, feeling mighty 
 foolish the while ; for there stood the lady herself, 
 upon a broad stone that formed a platform at the 
 water s edge. She was turned partly from me, as 
 though caught in the act of making her escape. 
 She was motionless, however, when I saw her, as 
 though resolved to show no sign of fear. Fright- 
 
 73
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 ened she was, though, beyond a doubt, for her 
 attitude belied her look of fearless indignation. 
 
 Like a flash, everything that I had said whilst on 
 the bridge ran through my mind, and made me 
 think I must have shouted it. 
 
 "I wonder how much she heard ?" I worried. 
 " Every word, I am positive," answered some ma 
 licious devil within me. " Come, be a man, and face 
 it boldly out," I whispered to my resolution ; and 
 with a smile that a leech might well have treated, I 
 raised my hat and made an awkward bow. 
 
 For a moment she stood irresolute. Then she 
 faced me savagely, her hands clenched tightly and 
 her toe beating quickly upon the stone. Her 
 head she held high, which told me she was still most 
 heartily afraid, no matter what brave words she 
 might use. As to what the words would be, I was 
 not left long in doubt. 
 
 " So, Sir, tis not enough that you should take 
 possession of our home and turn it into a barrack 
 for your men, but you must needs come spy ing upon 
 your prisoner, insulting her with your loud-spoken 
 soliloquies. Why do you stand watching me ? Do 
 you fear I shall break my father s parole ? Have I 
 not had enough of injury ? "Will not you leave 
 me ? " She stamped her foot like a deer at bay. 
 
 " But, Madam, I swear 
 
 " Yes, Sir, I have heard you," she interrupted, 
 and turned her back to me. 
 
 " Zooks ! the little savage ! " I winced. " And 
 
 74
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 she has wit too." I smiled at the way she had cut 
 short my protestations. The smile brought with it 
 a return of confidence. T would never do to permit 
 a woman to worst me. True, my knowledge of the 
 sex was limited, for I never had considered them of 
 sufficient importance to give their peculiarities 
 minute attention. This one, however, seemed differ 
 ent from others of her kind. She seemed worthy of 
 consideration. I now should give her some fatherly 
 advice, if she would let me speak without inter 
 ruption. It was necessary to manage her cautiously, 
 of that I was now convinced. She was an un 
 broken colt, with a mighty bad temper. Gentleness 
 would do more than spur. 
 
 I started toward her end of the bridge. , 
 
 " Stop, Sir ! " 
 
 I stopped. 
 
 " Don t come near me ! Go back the other way ! " 
 Again she was the indignant goddess. 
 
 Now my resolutions were good, and I fully had 
 resolved to put up with her whims until I should get 
 an opportunity to warn her against the habit of 
 frequenting these comparatively solitary places ; 
 but there always has been something in my nature 
 that seems never to agree with direct orders. In 
 this case, her orders and this " something" had diffi 
 culty at their first meeting, the result of which was, 
 that I had to settle the matter by a compromise, 
 which brought me to a halt, but did not turn me 
 back. 
 
 75
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " Madam," I protested, again leaning upon the 
 railing, " I crave your pardon, but you do me 
 wrong." 
 
 She raised her eyebrows, as though the matter 
 wert of but little consequence. 
 
 "I had no such base intent as you think, when I 
 came to this spot. Twas chance, purely, that 
 brought me here. I knew not of your presence." 
 
 " You know now, Sir, and yet you seem not 
 inclined to respect my wishes." 
 
 " You will not permit me to explain." 
 
 " I have heard your explanation." 
 
 " But now I wish to give you some advice." My 
 temper here began to exercise an influence. 
 
 " I have a father to whom I look for guidance." 
 
 "Ay, and thanks to his advice you find yourself 
 in your present perilous circumstances." 
 
 "I bow to your wisdom, Sir, which shows itself 
 in the prudence you display in saying those words 
 to me, not to my father." 
 
 I swore softly to myself. 
 
 " This, then, is my advice, Madam yea, I must 
 make it a command, since you will not heed it 
 otherwise : These walks through the park, without 
 protection, must cease. There is danger in it. Your 
 peril now is great enough ; but every time you come 
 to these places you increase your danger twofold." 
 
 " How can I be in danger when so securely 
 guarded ? " she sneered. 
 
 " Twere more suitable, I think, Madam, to treat
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 them that wish you well with less scorn and more 
 consideration." 
 
 " I thank you, Sir ; but when I meet my friends 
 I shall know how to treat them." 
 
 " You doubtless have reason to regard me with 
 suspicion, because of the office I now fill. But I 
 warn you, before many days shall have passed you 
 may have to rely on the sword of Mark Everard as 
 your only salvation. I may mistake, but, verily, I 
 believe what I say will prove true. The odds will 
 be greatly against me. Desperate measures may 
 have to be resorted to. I have nothing to gain by 
 taking up this matter. I may fail. But whether I 
 shall be successful or not, I think you then will find 
 no fault with the advice I have given you this 
 morning." 
 
 Her head gradually bent while I spoke, and when 
 I had finished, she glanced up cautiously, her head 
 held to one side. I could see she had difficulty in 
 understanding my words, for her look showed half 
 belief and half suspicion. She said nothing for 
 several moments, but I did not think it well to add 
 to what I already had told her. Presently she 
 stooped and picked a fragment of bread from the 
 stone platform, where doubtless it had fallen when 
 I startled her. She stepped slowly to the water s 
 edge and started to break the bread into particles 
 and to scatter them upon the surface, where in 
 stantly they were seized by hungry little mouths 
 and borne below. 
 
 77
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 I stood still, idly drumming my fingers upon the 
 railing, and wondering what next to expect from 
 this erratic prisoner, who treated her poor captor 
 with so little respect. 
 
 "There, do you see that large one?" she smiled, 
 turning up one side of her face. " I call him Julius, 
 because he looks so much like our porter. It was 
 Julius that wouldn t let you in, last night," she 
 explained. 
 
 Was ever anything more difficult to comprehend ? 
 Under the circumstances, one would think a fish the 
 last thing to which her thoughts would turn. But 
 that, I suppose, is the very reason why I should not 
 have been surprised. 
 
 I stood undecided for a moment, half-frowning, 
 half-smiling, and then, remembering my determina 
 tion to humour her, and not being able to see 
 this worthy fish from where I stood, well, I went 
 down to the stone platform grumbling to myself 
 the while and tried to get a peep at the little Julius. 
 
 " Oh ! now you have frightened him away ! " she 
 reproached. " Twas the noise of those spurs," she 
 added, pointing to the offending decorations. 
 
 She seemed more concerned about the flight of 
 the fish than she had been when I told her of her 
 danger. 
 
 "Now keep very still," she cautioned, her annoy 
 ance passing as quickly as it had come. " He is 
 timid with strangers, and may require some coaxing, 
 before he will return." 
 
 78
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 I did as directed, while she broke more crumbs 
 and dropped them carefully, one by one, into the 
 water. Twas the first time I stood on the same 
 level beside her, in the daylight, and I now had an 
 opportunity to notice that she was not tall, as I had 
 thought her. My impression that she was tall must 
 have been formed by comparison with the Queen, 
 who was much below the middle height ; for now, 
 as she stood dropping the crumbs, I could see she 
 was little, if any, above the middle stature. 
 
 " There he is. Be careful not to frighten him. 
 Is not the resemblance striking ? " she smiled. 
 
 " Tis the King," I murmured inaudibly. Then 
 aloud I said : " There is a resemblance, I admit ; 
 but surely the real Julius should feel flattered by 
 the comparison. The fish looks more pleasant, I 
 think." 
 
 She laughed. 
 
 I picked up a bit of the bread and, breaking it into 
 yet smaller particles, dropped them slowly into the 
 water at the edge of the stone. 
 
 Julius came fearfully along, his head bent to one 
 side, that he might keep his eye on me. 
 
 " Now the eyes of the two Juliuses are very sim 
 ilar, though I favour the expression in those of this 
 one. The mouths of both seem to have a tendency 
 to greater development, though apparently without 
 reason. Both are blessed with the same complexion 
 olive, would you call it ? But tis when we come to 
 compare their movements that the fish has the greater 
 
 79
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 advantage. He is the embodiment of grace, whereas 
 the other, I fear, is somewhat deficient in the quality. 
 So you will see, when we sum up their respective 
 points of merit, that this Julius has a considerable 
 advantage." 
 
 " I fear you are not an impartial judge, Sir." She 
 regarded me in half-amusement. " You bear malice 
 against the human Julius because he refused you 
 admittance. That is not right, or, at least, tis not 
 strictly judicial." 
 
 " Oh, Madam, I protest ! " 
 
 " Then why do you not consider his virtues before 
 pronouncing judgment ? " 
 
 " And is he possessed of virtues ? " 
 
 " By that question you stand convicted ; you con 
 fess that you have not looked for them. Virtues? 
 Indeed he has many. Was it not a virtue to refuse 
 to admit a band of armed strangers to the home of 
 his master, even though they threatened his life ? 
 He would die for me, Sir." 
 
 " Oh ! would he ? " I thought. " Well, from the 
 appearance of things he will not lack opportunity 
 for long, I should judge. And I hope he will not 
 permit it to pass him." Aloud I merely said : 
 " But, Madam, we were comparing only their ap 
 pearances, not merits." 
 
 "Ah! you have halted and are intrenching, Sir." 
 
 " The fruit of experience, Madam. I am an old 
 soldier." 
 
 I had a few crumbs left and these I was in the 
 
 80
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 act of dropping to the little Julius and his followers, 
 when I heard a gruff " Ahem ! " Looking up I be 
 held Toby at the other side of the stream, leaning 
 upon the end of the bridge-rail. His face was stern 
 as ever, but his eyes were dancing with amusement. 
 I dropped the remaining crumbs as though they had 
 been coals of fire. " The little devil ! " I swore in 
 wardly. " Why could he not have whistled as he 
 came, or made a jingle with his spurs ? I must give 
 Toby a lesson. To find me in this ridiculous position ! 
 feeding fish, like a schoolboy! " I could have 
 drowned the little rascal, if he had been beside me. 
 Had it been any one but Toby, I should not have 
 cared ; but to have Toby, who thought all wisdom 
 centred in me, find me playing with fishes, and 
 talking nonsense to a maiden, when I should have 
 been devising ways for the carrying out of my plans, 
 was more than I could bear with any sense of com 
 fort. 
 
 " Well, Toby, what is it ? " I asked with as good 
 a show of amiability as I could command. 
 
 " You told me to inform you when your breakfast 
 was prepared, Sir. It is now ready, Sir." At this 
 moment his eyes left mine and glanced quickly to 
 some point behind and to one side of where we stood. 
 
 I turned and looked in the same direction, but 
 saw only the path, the trees and bushes ; and when 
 I faced Toby again, he was no longer gazing beyond 
 me, but pulled at his mustaches and stared intently 
 ai the water. 
 
 6 81
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " Is your servant as savage as he looks ? " Mis 
 tress Heron asked, as we went up the three steps 
 from the broad stone to the bridge. 
 
 " Nay, nay, Madam ; fear him not ; tis but his 
 manner. There is no better heart in England." I 
 had forgiven the little rascal already. 
 
 Toby advanced a pace to meet us, and as I passed 
 he touched me lightly on the arm. 
 
 I asked pardon of the lady, and stopped with 
 Toby at the end of the bridge, whilst she walked on 
 without comment or apparent notice. 
 
 " Well, Toby ? " 
 
 He raised his arm and pointed in the direction of 
 the house, while in a low voice he said : " Don t 
 look behind us. Sir ; there s some one in the bushes 
 a little way back of where you and the lady were 
 standing when I came up." 
 
 " Could you make out the face or figure ? " I asked, 
 making a motion with my hands as though I were 
 giving minute instructions. 
 
 " No, Sir," Toby answered, touching his hat, and 
 bowing ; " he was just drawing back among the 
 bushes when I saw him. I could see nothing but 
 his hat, Sir." 
 
 " Try to find out who he is. Report to me as 
 soon as possible. Be careful, Toby. Don t put 
 yourself in the way of a bullet ; we can t afford to 
 run any risks. Don t drive him to bay ; merely get 
 a good sight of him, that you may be able to 
 identify him when next you see the knave." 
 
 82
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " Very well, Sir." He started off, whistling gai 
 ly as he went. From his manner one would think 
 he had no thought nor care ; but he realised that 
 the man that spied would not hesitate to use his 
 pistol, did he think it advantageous to do so. 
 
 " So they are following me closely already," I 
 muttered, as I hastened after the lady. " They are 
 resolved to lose no time. True, there is the pos 
 sibility of its being that accursed Julius ; but I 
 think it was not. If I could but tell what the 
 result will be when I send my message to White 
 hall, I then should have the game in my own hands. 
 As it is, I m helpless, yes, helpless. But that mes 
 sage shall go to-day, if I have to let Sir Charles 
 himself take it. After that, twill not be long ere 
 we all shall know what parts we each must play. 
 The odds, I doubt not, will be long ; but Gad ! 
 Toby and I will play our hands out, win or lose." 
 Just then I turned the corner, and found myself 
 but a few paces behind the stake in this exciting 
 game. " Zounds ! she s worth it," I thought. " Now 
 if I were ten 
 
 She heard my jingling step, turned, eyed me in 
 cold surprise, and walked on with quickened 
 step. 
 
 " Bah ! No, she is too haughty," I concluded, 
 and blushed for what I almost had said.
 
 CHAPTEK Y. 
 
 " IF I have to send Sir Charles himself." These 
 words that I had spoken without meaning started 
 ringing in my ears, as I slowly crossed the lawn on 
 my way to the main entrance of the house. With 
 every step I took they were repeated. 
 
 I came to an abrupt halt by the sun-dial. 
 
 " Why not send Sir Charles ? " I asked myself. 
 " What advantage is it to me to have him here ? 
 None. No, he is worse than useless ; he is a con 
 stant menace ; and if he were absent, his men would 
 be without a leader. But will he go ? I wonder. 
 Ha ! there s the question. He might with safety 
 refuse, being backed as he is by his seven men. Still, 
 should he refuse, he knows that I should report him 
 to the King, which might endanger the plans of his 
 superiors ; and that lie dare not risk. I ll try him," 
 I concluded. " Let him defy me, and I ll doff the 
 silken glove and show a hand of steel." 
 
 Toby came quickly up the drive, whistling as 
 when last I had seen him. He glanced carelessly 
 in my direction, but passed on across the lawn to 
 ward the rear of the house without changing his 
 course. 
 
 "Ho! Toby !" I called. 
 
 84
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 He halted, faced about, and came quickly toward 
 me, smart and soldierly. 
 
 " Well, Toby ? " 
 
 " Yes, Sir. Two of them. Two the oldest. They 
 stood on the bridge and talked a little, then followed 
 you up the path, Sir." 
 
 " Good ! Good ! See that they get no opportu 
 nity to speak privately with any of their comrades. 
 Keep with them, Toby. I shall attend to Sir 
 Charles." 
 
 "Yes, Sir." 
 
 "And, Toby," I said as he turned to go, "re 
 member that you must above all things else avoid 
 a quarrel." 
 
 " Yes, Sir." He hastened on toward the serv 
 ants quarters. 
 
 I chuckled softly, as I thought of my plan for 
 ridding myself of embarrassment for a day at least. 
 
 " What could be more in contrast than this coun 
 try paradise and the intrigue and treachery now 
 going on within it?" I thought, as I cast my eye 
 over the splendid mansion and its truly beautiful 
 surroundings. "Trees and shrubs, drives, walks 
 and streams, flowers and pure air ; and through all 
 the whistle of the robin and the hum of bees. 
 Zooks ! why did she ever go to Court ? Who but a 
 fool could here feel discontent ? Still, mayhap tis 
 better so," I added. And then with a quicker step 
 started for breakfast. 
 
 In the main hall I met Sir Alfred and Sir Charles, 
 
 85
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 walking side by side. Both seemed embarrassed 
 when they saw me ; but I showed no surprise, and 
 passed the time of day pleasantly. My manner 
 seemed to reassure them ; and together we entered 
 the breakfast-room, Sir Alfred playing the host as 
 freely as though not a prisoner. 
 
 " I sent to your room some little time since, Mas 
 ter Everard," he said, " that I might show you about 
 the park, but found that you had forestalled me. 
 However, if you will accompany me after breakfast, 
 I think I yet can take you to some spots that will 
 delight your eye. I have my favourite haunts, in 
 which I spend much of my time when at home. "We 
 live simply here, Master Everard, as country people 
 should, I think ; for what is country life, if one 
 must be tormented with a host of servants, strict 
 city fashions, and the duties of a Court ? Here each 
 must entertain himself, and feel no slight ; for every 
 guest is also host." 
 
 " Indeed, Sir Alfred, twould be a difficult task 
 for any but a most turbulent spirit to feel not at 
 home in such a place of beauty. "Pis difficult to 
 understand why one that lives here ever could be 
 tempted to desert it for the life of a Westminster 
 or London." 
 
 His colour heightened, but with a smile he said : 
 " One is not always master of one s circumstances, 
 Sir, as you no doubt well know. Were I to gratify 
 my inclinations, I should not leave my books, glasses 
 and globes. But unlucky chance may be the cause 
 
 86
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 of placing us in positions in which we are forced to 
 forego our greatest desires. These circumstances 
 may not be denied, so, Zounds ! we may as well 
 smile as frown when we bow to them ; and regret 
 never yet has been known to change a fact." He 
 laughed good-humouredly, as though his discomforts 
 were amusing. Truly, either Sir Alfred had the 
 instincts of the philosopher or he was a mighty 
 good actor; at that moment I did not know which. 
 
 Sir Charles seemed to lack ease somewhat, and as 
 I had thought enough to keep me occupied, our 
 repast was finished without further conversation, 
 except for an occasional word from Sir Alfred, who 
 seemed bent on being cheerful, despite his uncom 
 fortable situation. 
 
 As we left the table, I excused myself for not just 
 then accepting of the kindness my prisoner had 
 offered to show in taking me over the place, by 
 explaining that I had some urgent affairs to transact 
 with Sir Charles, which should not be delayed. 
 
 " Permit me not to interfere with your plans, Sir. 
 Later I shall have the pleasure," he smiled, bowing 
 as I turned to leave the room. 
 
 My eye fell upon a large mirror hanging beside 
 the door, in which I caught a glimpse of him, 
 glancing furtively, with eyebrows raised, in the 
 direction of Sir Charles. 
 
 I took no apparent notice of this conduct, but 
 passed out of the room with the young gentleman 
 by my side, leaving my prisoner alone. 
 
 87
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 The situation seemed to wear a different, and not 
 more pleasing, aspect with every moment that 
 passed. Before breakfast I had come to the con 
 clusion that Sir Alfred was an innocent dupe in the 
 game. Now it was evident that I had fallen into 
 an error not common to me namely, the most 
 dangerous mistake of arriving at conclusions without 
 awaiting the proofs. That Sir Alfred could not be 
 relied on was evident. Only the night before I 
 had warned him to place no trust in Sir Charles, 
 and, as an earnest of my honest intentions, had 
 treated him with great consideration ; and yet, here 
 he was, at the first opportunity, conniving behind 
 my back with the very man against whom I had 
 warned him. " Of course there is the possibility of 
 his playing double with Sir Charles, not me," I 
 thought. " If he is a coward, he will doubtless 
 think it good policy to let them that have been his 
 fellow-conspirators think he is still of their number, 
 even though in his heart he believes they have 
 betrayed him," I argued. Can a man that acts 
 thus be trusted with his parole ? " I worried. 
 
 At this moment we met a servant in the passage 
 near my apartments. I stopped him and sent him 
 for paper, pens and ink. I had decided. Sir Charles 
 should go to London. Sir Alfred s double dealings 
 should not alter my plans ; for if they were plotting 
 against me, twas better that they should be forty 
 miles apart than together at my elbow. My prisoner 
 might intend to act honourably with me ; but that 
 
 88
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 I might think him honest, twas necessary to grant 
 him a coward. I preferred to consider him a knave 
 a coward is so pitiable a thing. 
 
 I swung my door open and motioned Sir Charles 
 to enter first. He seemed now to see for the first 
 time that I suspected him, for he at once assumed a 
 careless swagger, ever the manner of youth without 
 great courage wishing to pass itself off as a careless 
 dare-devil. lie helped himself to a chair, without 
 waiting an invitation, and throwing himself into it, 
 swung his foot to and fro and stared at the ceiling. 
 
 That I might keep the boy in suspense as long as 
 possible, I said nothing, and when the servant came 
 with the writing materials, proceeded to write my 
 report to the King without breaking the silence. 
 He shifted in his seat uneasily, and cleared his 
 throat at every pause I made. Doubtless he was 
 preparing the speech with which he intended to 
 refuse my orders for by this time he must have 
 known why I had brought him to my room. Had 
 he remained still and not made his intentions so 
 evident, he might have outwitted me; but as it 
 was, he warned me of what to expect, so I was 
 prepared. As I finished the brief report, which 
 told shortly of how I had arrived at Heron Hull 
 the previous night, and had placed Sir Alfred Heron 
 under arrest, as commanded omitting mention of 
 his being caught in the attempt to escape and 
 informing his Majesty that I desired another officer 
 to be sent me in place of Sir Charles Rawley one
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 in whom one would place absolute trust as 
 bearer of the King s further commands, I called the 
 lieutenant sharply. 
 
 It took him by surprise. " Yes, Sir," he replied 
 smartly, springing to his feet with soldierly prompt 
 ness. 
 
 "You are to start at once for Whitehall," I said, 
 sealing the packet carefully in several places, using 
 my signet ring with a great show of caution. 
 
 " But it is impossible he began, his fore- 
 planned bluster coining to his rescue. 
 
 " Not at all, I assure you." 
 
 " Why, how ? " 
 
 " Upon your horse, to be sure. How else could 
 you hope to travel ? " 
 
 He grew more confused. " But I shall be needed 
 here," he grumbled. 
 
 " Indeed I agree with you I do need you here, 
 but the King s commands may not be ignored." 
 
 " One of the men should be sent," he said, with 
 his ludicrous swagger. 
 
 " Again I agree with you, but unfortunately the 
 King has ordered otherwise." 
 
 " How when ? " he stammered. 
 
 " His Majesty commanded me to send a report to 
 him, so soon as I had effected the capture of Sir 
 Alfred, by the officer that he should send with me. 
 You are the officer he sent, therefore you are the 
 only person authorised to bear the despatch." 
 
 I rose and handed him the packet. 
 
 90
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 lie put out his hand unwillingly, as though he 
 feared the wax might burn him. His bluster was 
 gone, but still he hesitated, searching for some last 
 excuse, for all the world like a schoolboy trying to 
 avoid his chastisement. "When shall I leave ? " he 
 asked presently. 
 
 " Why, Sir Charles, you seem dull of compre 
 hension this morning. I already have said at 
 once." 
 
 " 1 have not my spurs, cloak, nor gauntlets," he 
 sulked. 
 
 " Quite so ; and you need them. I shall accom 
 pany you while you get them, Sir Charles." 
 
 He glanced at me hatefully, shrugged his shoul 
 ders and turned to the door. 
 
 " Oh ! Sir Charles," I said, as we passed out, 
 " there is one thing that I almost forgot to mention 
 to you. Tis the fact that the King has a copy of 
 my signature and seal. The knowledge may save 
 you an unpleasant experience." 
 
 He started as though I had stabbed him, turned 
 white, then scarlet, and trembled as with ague. 
 " You shall pay dearly for your insult, Sir. You 
 no\v are safe in your position, and may strike at 
 your pleasure, but your time is short. You shall 
 answer to me, Sir; yes, and before many days shall 
 have passed, Master Everard." 
 
 " Od s blood ! how shocking ! how shocking ! " 
 
 " Oh, curse you ! " he hissed with boyish temper, 
 and strode hastily along the passage to his own 
 
 9 1
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 room ; while I followed, chuckling softly at his 
 fearful threats, and relishing the young gentleman s 
 punishment. 
 
 He slammed the door in my face, at which I 
 swore roundly ; but remembering that 1 had naught 
 to gain by losing my temper, I merely opened the 
 door again and stepped within. His hand flew to 
 his sword-hilt, as he wheeled and faced me in dumb 
 surprise. Such insult was beyond his comprehen 
 sion. 
 
 " Yes, you have your sword ; tis your spurs you 
 need, Sir Charles," I smiled, throwing my leg across 
 the corner of his table. 
 
 " Very well, I ll get my spurs ; but remember, the 
 faster I ride the sooner shall end your advantage. 
 Give a fool authority and soon he ll condemn him 
 self." His hands shook with rage as he wrenched 
 at the straps of his spurs. " You re in a larger and 
 deeper pond than you think, Sir. I m not the only 
 one that you have to face ; and I m damned if you 
 shall come out of it with a whole skin ! " He 
 drew his gauntlets on with a jerk and tossed his 
 cloak over his arm. 
 
 " Tut, tut ! Sir Charles, I fear you have turned 
 gossip," I laughed. "You are telling what I already 
 knew ; but yet, I think your language indiscreet. Be 
 cautious, Sir Charles ; your associates would disap 
 prove of your taking me into your confidence, 1 
 think. Ah ! you are ready ? Then we shall order 
 your mount and escort." 
 
 9 2
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " Escort ! I need none ! " he snapped. 
 
 " I hope you may not have need of it, yet tis 
 better to take precautions, and besides, I have as 
 sured the King that you shall go with a good guard, 
 so that no excuse for miscarriage may be found." 
 
 He made no reply ; his anger seemed to choke 
 him ; so he sought relief in hasty, heavy strides, and 
 almost rushed from the house. 
 
 At the men s quarters I drew them all up, that I 
 might be able to make my selection. Toby took 
 his place with the others, and seemed almost a 
 mite beside the lusty-looking guardsmen. 
 
 " You need experienced men, Sir Charles," I said ; 
 " wherefore I select the three on the left, who seem 
 to have years enough to give them caution." 
 
 He turned to me as though to object, but I met 
 him with a smile, in which he read my reason for 
 those men. He had been beaten at every point, and 
 now his determination seemed to give way, and he 
 offered no opposition. 
 
 In another ten minutes they were mounted and 
 riding down the drive. As they circled round the 
 lower terrace, Sir Charles turned his head and 
 looked back. I waved my hand to him, at which 
 he drove spurs into his horse and bounded off at a 
 gallop. I laughed and turned in time to see Sir 
 Alfred step back into the house through a French 
 window that opened to the front. 
 
 93
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 WITH but three of the soldiers left, I felt more 
 comfortable for the time. They had no leader now 
 to whom to look for instructions, and I knew they 
 would not take upon themselves to act without 
 orders, lest they should endanger the plans of their 
 superiors. Sir Alfred was my only cause for anxiety. 
 Where did he really stand in these much mixed 
 affairs ? He seemed on all sides, and against all 
 sides. "Was there really a plot to abduct the Queen, 
 or was it, as Toby thought, a blind to the real plot 
 the carrying off of his daughter? Who was the 
 tall Black Masque that had escaped with Sir Alfred 
 that night in the lane ? Was he but a tool, like his 
 fellow that we had succeeded in taking, or a more im 
 portant person, who had not yet played his full hand ? 
 The questions were perplexing, and at that time 
 unanswerable. Sir Alfred was the centre of the 
 wheel. What was the wisest course to take with 
 him ? was the question I first had to solve. I tried 
 the solution at once, by stepping to the open window 
 at which I had seen him. 
 
 " I am glad of it, if it will prevent so shameful 
 a thing happening," came in her voice from the 
 room. 
 
 " But it shall not prevent it. In faith, I prefer it 
 
 94
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 so. His departure will relieve him of all respon 
 sibility." Sir Alfred s voice was deep and ar 
 dent. 
 
 " But twas not to Sir Charles you gave your 
 word." 
 
 "Bah! And what is the other? A soldier of 
 fortune a hireling." 
 
 " And does that save your honour, if you break faith 
 with him ? For shame, father, forget what " 
 
 " Silence ! How dare you so speak to me ? 
 Honour ! Tis to save your honour that I do it. But 
 mayhap you have less care for it than I," he 
 sneered. 
 
 There was a moment s pause, in which I could 
 picture the expression of her face. 
 
 " I pity you, Sir, and always shall pray to forget 
 this day." There was a world of contempt in her 
 low, trembling voice. 
 
 " No, Virginia, dear, I I didn t mean that." 
 
 " I shall try to believe you." 
 
 "But come, Virginia, promise that you will go 
 with me peaceably," he coaxed. "See what I 
 sacrifice for you even your respect for me." 
 
 " And all for me ! " She gave a little forced 
 laugh. " What part has my Lord Cadwaller in this 
 sacrifice ? Must not your Master be rewarded for 
 making you his tool to serve his own unmanly 
 ends?" 
 
 " Now, the devil take you ! for your insults you 
 shall go, consent or not ! Inform the low-born menial, 
 
 95
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 whom you so admire! You shall go, despite him! 
 You have dared to defy and insult me, so now I 
 shall use my authority ! I ll crush your mother s 
 spirit in you, or I ll crush your life ! " 
 
 " Oh, how I regret that I have found you out! 
 Until to-day I. always have spoken to you and of you 
 with respect, and tried to respect you more than I 
 felt ; but now I am undeceived ; you stand forth in 
 your true colours, without honour, courage, or even 
 humanity. I pity you, Sir ! from my soul I pity 
 you ! " 
 
 Zooks ! I should rather face Toby s sword than 
 her contempt. 
 
 " I think it were wiser to keep your pity for 
 yourself," he sneered. " You may need it ere long, 
 unless you learn to control that accursed tongue of 
 yours. His Lordship is not blessed with such 
 patience as your father s. Yes, exercise your 
 obedience, my dear. Commence by getting your 
 belongings together. You shall leave here to-night : 
 to-morrow you shall be in France." 
 
 " France!" 
 
 " Yes, France. There we shall remain until our 
 friends at Court succeed in diverting the King s 
 attention from us." 
 
 " I refuse to go ! " She stamped her foot. 
 
 " We shall leave this evening remember ! " 
 
 A door opened, then closed with a bang, and all 
 was quiet within the room. 
 
 I tiptoed from the window, until I reached a safe 
 
 96
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 distance, then hastened in search of Toby, whom 
 I found entertaining the three guardsmen outside 
 the servants quarters. He had them in a roar of 
 laughter, which, as I came up, suddenly subsided. 
 They rose and stood at attention, while Toby 
 advanced to meet me. Together we started back 
 toward the house, and when we were out of ear 
 shot of the men, I told him of Sir Alfred s treachery. 
 
 Toby tossed his head. " I thought he was mixed 
 up in strange company for an honest man," he 
 sniffed. " What shall we do, Sir ? " 
 
 " We must go to him at once, before he has an 
 opportunity to speak to the men." 
 
 As we turned the front corner of the house, we 
 met him face to face. 
 
 He started. " Ah ! Master Everard," said he, 
 recovering his self-possession and forcing a smile. 
 
 " Ah ! Sir Alfred Heron," I returned, smiling 
 back at him broadly. 
 
 My manner did not seem to reassure him. His 
 face grew redder than ever, and his eyes looked 
 past me, as he said : " I was in search of you, Sir. 
 If you have finished with your affairs, I am at your 
 service, Sir, quite at your service." He rubbed 
 each hand over the other, as though trying to wash 
 them with air. 
 
 I bowed and, still smiling, started with him 
 across the lawn in front of the house, Toby 
 following. 
 
 " May I request, Sir, that you first step with me 
 
 7 97
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 into the house ? There is something on my mind 
 that I wish to tell you, lest it should escape 
 me." 
 
 He looked at me curiously, but seeing no reason 
 able excuse for declining, he turned without a word 
 and led the way to the door. In the hall he faced 
 me with almost defiance, though still attempting to 
 play the affable. His acting seemed nearing its 
 end. 
 
 " Yes, Master Everard ? " he said, forcing a sorry 
 smile, while his fingers drummed restlessly upon 
 the back of a chair. " In what can I serve 
 you " 
 
 I took a turn around the room before answering : 
 " By doing your duty, Sir Alfred." 
 
 He turned purple. " Really, Sir, I fail to see by 
 what right you speak so to me ! " 
 
 " By no right, Sir Alfred nor yet with malice." 
 
 " I am in your power, and so cannot claim con 
 sideration," he said bitterly. 
 
 " Nonsense, Sir ! You think you are far from 
 being in my power ! You think I m in yours ! 
 Why could you not have dealt fairly with me, Sir 
 Alfred? I gave you sufficient reason for trusting 
 me." I thought it well to let him know at once how 
 matters stood. 
 
 " What do you mean ? " he cried, glancing anx- 
 iously toward the door. 
 
 " Toby ! " I called gently. 
 
 " Yes, Sir ! " He stood in the doorway. 
 
 98
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " No one is to be permitted to pass out until I 
 so order." 
 
 " No, Sir ! " The door closed. Sir Alfred sank 
 into a chair. 
 
 " Why did you not make your escape last night ? " 
 I asked. 
 
 " You prevented me," he answered, still attempt 
 ing to fence. 
 
 " Nay, nay ; I mean after that when all had 
 retired." 
 
 " More insult ! Why, because I gave my word 
 that I should not ! " he snapped. 
 
 " Then why propose leaving to-night ? Does your 
 word bind you for but four-and-twenty hours ? " 
 
 " Spy ! " he cried, springing to his feet. 
 
 " Keep your seat, Sir Alfred ; bluster will not 
 help you. Yes, that is better. Now let us discuss 
 the situation freely. But, in the first place, I wish 
 to correct you. I did not spy on you. I saw you at 
 the window, and was on my way to you, for the 
 purpose of telling you that I had discovered your 
 treachery, when I chanced to overhear the con 
 versation between you and your daughter. Twas 
 indiscreet to discuss such a matter so heatedly, but I 
 assure you it made no difference, for I already had 
 caught you in the act of motioning in a suspicious 
 manner to Sir Charles Rawley, behind my back, in 
 the morning-room, and had resolved to give you 
 back your parole, lest you might break that that 
 can never be mended." 
 
 99
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 He wriggled in his seat, almost choking with 
 shame and rage. " Dog ! " he gasped, " I will split 
 your heart for this ! " 
 
 " I shall not quarrel with you, Sir. As I said 
 before, my object in speaking as I do is not to tor 
 ment you. I merely wish to let you see the exact 
 position in which we each stand. If you will answer 
 my questions, you will help to remove some of your 
 difficulties ; if you refuse Zooks ! the loss will be 
 chiefly your own. Now why do you still trust this 
 Sir Charles, after I have warned you of him? " 
 
 " "Well, curse your impudence ! " he almost choked, 
 sitting bolt upright, and staring at me in astonish 
 ment. " Cannot you be insulted ? I have heard 
 you are a brave man, but find you a coward ! " 
 
 " You are bent on insulting yourself," I smiled. 
 " You ran from this coward" 
 
 In faith, I was having a hard struggle with my 
 temper, but I had resolved not to lose it. His vile 
 names were hard to bear, to be sure, but it is 
 scarcely creditable to sacrifice one s determination 
 for the gratifying of mere rage, therefore I gave no 
 apparent heed to his insults, but continued my 
 questions. 
 
 " Come, Sir, will you tell me the reason for your 
 confidence in Sir Charles Rawley ?" 
 
 "And why should 1 not take the word of Sir 
 Charles Rawley who is my friend in preference to 
 that of a nameless Jack, of whom I know nothing, 
 who sells himself to the highest bidder?" he sneered. 
 
 100
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " Then you were a party to the plot to carry off 
 the Queen ? I have thought otherwise." 
 
 "Plot! What plot to carry off the Queen?" 
 His choler was giving place to anxiety. 
 
 "If Sir Charles is your friend, tis strange you 
 should not know." 
 
 " As God s above me, I know naught of such a 
 plot ! " His fear had overcome his indignation. 
 
 " You were found in strange company for one not 
 to be suspected." 
 
 " How ? when ? what company? " he stammered. 
 
 " On the night of the first of May, in the lane 
 north of Fleet Street, when the attempt to abduct 
 her Majesty and your daughter was defeated, Sir 
 Alfred. Zooks! your memory seems failing, 
 Sir." 
 
 "The Queen! "he cried. "That was not the 
 Queen ! " He trembled with excitement. 
 
 " Oh, indeed ! I have been informed differently." 
 
 " Why, no ! Twas a lady of the Court, to be 
 sure, but not the Queen." 
 
 " From whom did you get your information ? " 
 
 He hesitated. "From from What s that to 
 you ? " he broke off abruptly. 
 
 I wondered if he was attempting to deceive me. 
 He seemed sincere enough, yet I already had dis 
 covered that he was too good an actor to be judged 
 by appearances. 
 
 " I venture to say, your daughter did not tell you 
 it was not the Queen." 
 
 101
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 He said nothing, but looked mighty uncom 
 fortable. 
 
 " No, Sir Alfred, the flight of your daughter is 
 not the gravest charge that you shall have to 
 answer ; tis the attempt on the Queen. Believe 
 me, your worst enemies could wish you to make a 
 no worse mistake than to flee from England at 
 present. Twould be a confirmation of your guilt." 
 
 4< Nonsense, Sir ! I say it was not the Queen ! " 
 
 " And I say it was the Queen, Sir." 
 
 "Then why was no mention made of it in your 
 warrant for my arrest ? " 
 
 " One charge was sufficient, and I suppose the 
 King has no desire to have the incident appear in 
 writing. I believe there was a scandal once before 
 about a similar affair. One can quite understand 
 his shrinking from the risk of having so private a 
 matter made public. Doubtless his Majesty intends 
 settling it with you privately, how, I can only sur 
 mise." 
 
 " Surmise ! Damn your surmisings ! " he cried, 
 springing to his feet. " You know how he hopes to 
 settle it ! You you accursed hireling ! well do 
 you know his intentions ! "Tis a lie, I believe, a lie 
 of his, of your own, spinning, this story of the 
 Queen ! I see it all ! He thinks he has me in his 
 power, and will force me to gratify his base desires ! 
 Ha ! ha ! a trick a most palpable trick ! Ha ! ha ! 
 upon my soul, tis laughable! " 
 
 " Very laughable," I put in. " Still, I think you 
 
 102
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 will find it rnore profitable to forego your demon 
 strations of delight, and consider the matter seri 
 ously." 
 
 Faith, his appearance gave but little suggestion 
 of humour, except so far as a very angry, badly 
 frightened, stout man, past the middle age, with too 
 much blood in the head, may look comical, when 
 attempting to rid himself of his fear by a stimu 
 lating outburst of ridiculing bluster. 
 
 " Seriously ! " he cried scornfully, pacing to and 
 fro furiously. " Ha ! ha ! I shall make it sufficient 
 ly serious for both you and your master, before you 
 shall be through with this affair ! " He paused for 
 a moment and took snuff with trembling fingers. 
 " Let him drive me to extremes, and I ll bring every 
 detail before Parliament ! Split me, if I ll be dis 
 honoured by that that by his Majesty, or any 
 one else ! " 
 
 " Ah ! that is better," I said ; " much better than 
 fleeing, as though you acknowledged your guilt. 
 Yet, twill mean your conviction of treason, I fear ; 
 for her Majesty most surely was there." 
 
 He halted before a window, and stared forth. 
 
 " But, of course, if you can rely upon the influence 
 of them that shared the attack with you, tis pos 
 sible you may escape the extreme penalty, mayhap 
 even more." 
 
 His hands clasped each other more tightly behind 
 his back, his feet he placed farther apart, and his 
 head bent forward and to one side more, as he con- 
 
 103
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 tinned to stare through the window. His attitude 
 was more resolute. 
 
 "Yes, I believe Lord Cad waller might manage 
 the King." I paused to observe the effect, but lie 
 did not move. " But he may meet with opposition, 
 from what source, you doubtless know." 
 
 He turned and faced me in alarm. " What 
 source?" 
 
 " Tut, tut, Sir ! you well know my meaning. 
 Why, the Little Duke, to be sure." 
 
 " That bastard Monmouth ? " he cried, his face 
 turning almost black with rage, and his hands 
 working at his band, as though he were chok 
 ing. 
 
 " You are not over-complimentary to his Grace, 
 Sir. Why should you not expect him to oppose 
 any of Cadwaller s efforts in your behalf ? " I was 
 not sure of my ground, so was compelled to go cau 
 tiously. 
 
 He succeeded in loosening his collar, and again 
 sank into a chair. " Yes, yes, I see it all now," he 
 muttered to himself. 
 
 " Well, Sir, if you see it all, tis possible you now 
 understand why I warned you against your sup 
 posed friend, Sir Charles Rawley." 
 
 He shook his head from side to side sadly. " Nay, 
 nay, I understand nothing. My God ! was there 
 ever before so snarled a tangle ? " 
 
 " You now see I spoke the truth last night, when 
 I told you that I had a tangle to unravel. The 
 
 104
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 matter is even more unpleasant than I then thought. 
 Your position, Sir, is most unenviable." 
 
 " I am well aware of it, Sir. Think you it adds 
 to your dignity thus to gloat over a victim ? Had 
 you a spark of manhood, you would blush for your 
 part in this outrageous oppression. My case seems 
 hopeless ; " he slowly rose to his feet " but one 
 thing is certain, it never shall be said of a Heron 
 that he permitted a daughter of his house to be 
 handed over to a dissolute tyrant. I take back my 
 parole, I should have broken it and a dozen more 
 to carry out my determination, and now warn 
 you that I shall escape from England, despite you 
 or your King." He sprang to the door at one 
 bound, and had it locked ere I could divine his 
 purpose. " Your accursed Stuart never shall have 
 me alive ; and if you take my dead body, there shall 
 be another with it." The old, aristocratic blood in 
 his veins at last had asserted itself. So long as he 
 was able to see an outlet, his weak nature had pre 
 dominated ; at bay, the courage of his ancestors 
 came to his rescue. 
 
 Toby knocked at the door. " Do you want me, 
 Sir?" he called. 
 
 " No, no, Toby ; everything is well." 
 
 "Come, Sir," said Sir Alfred, "will you stand 
 aside and permit me to pass peaceably ? " 
 
 " To what purpose ? Where do you wish to 
 go?" 
 
 " To my daughter. I must learn from her 
 
 105
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 whether it was the Queen or not that occupied the 
 second chair that night." 
 
 " I am here, my father," she said, stepping into 
 view from a turning in the stairs. 
 
 Sir Alfred started, advanced two paces toward 
 her, but halted by the table, as she came slowly 
 down, pale, calm and dignified. I kept my place, 
 with Sir Alfred between me and the door. 
 
 " You have been deceived, father ; the Queen did 
 occupy the other chair. I thought you knew." 
 She placed her hand upon his shoulder as she 
 spoke. 
 
 Sir Alfred did not speak ; but his head bent for 
 ward and his shoulders rose and fell quickly, as 
 though he struggled with a mighty load, and one 
 too great for his courage. Presently he raised his 
 head. "Then we must leave England," he said 
 slowly, facing me determinedly. 
 
 " You see no other way out of your difficulties ? " 
 I asked. 
 
 He watched me closely, as though fearful of 
 some sudden attack. " No," he answered. 
 
 " Remember, if you should escape, twould likely 
 mean the confiscation of your estate." 
 
 The maiden turned crimson. " Which you place 
 higher than honour? " she asked. 
 
 I bit my lip. " I but wish your father fully to un 
 derstand his position, before undertaking a rash act." 
 
 " I have not asked your counsel, Sir," he put in 
 haughtily, still watching me closely. 
 
 1 06
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " And you, Madam, will you go with your fattier ? " 
 
 " Why should I not, Sir ? You no longer hold his 
 parole." 
 
 " True ; but I hold his life." 
 
 Her eyes opened wide with fear. She shrank from 
 me, and drew nearer to her unworthy parent. 
 " You you would not you she stammered. 
 
 "My word is given to the King that I will not 
 permit Sir Alfred Heron nor his daughter to leave 
 their home until I shall have received further orders 
 from his Majesty. My promise should be carried 
 out, even though Sir Alfred were my own father." 
 
 She clasped her hands before her, and leaning 
 forward, pale-faced, wide-eyed and trembling, gazed 
 at me for what seemed an age. 
 
 My eyes fell before the eloquent reproach. 
 "Zounds!" I thought, "she has more soul than a 
 thousand mere women." 
 
 " But but you said at the bridge that I that 
 we may rely on your sword for protection." The 
 blood rushed to her face, and when I raised my eyes, 
 hers sank before them. 
 
 Ah! that moment was worth a lifetime ; and yet, 
 I felt a sorrow that she that anyone should think 
 me capable of failing to make good a promise. 
 
 " You speak correctly, Madam ; I did assure you 
 of my assistance ; but that I should be able to take 
 the proper course, it was necessary that I should 
 have more information concerning the whole matter. 
 I now believe most of the mystery has been made 
 
 107
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 clear to me ; therefore I shall know how best to act, 
 when the time for action shall come." 
 
 Sir Alfred s eyes shifted from me to his daughter, 
 then back to me again, in wonder. 
 
 " When I first came here," I continued, after a 
 moment s pause, which I made that my words might 
 take effect with him, " I formed the opinion that 
 you, Sir, had been duped by men occupying higher 
 positions, and that you were being used to hide their 
 deeper plans. Then other things happened, which 
 caused me to doubt this conclusion. I thought it 
 best to question you, and show you on what dangerous 
 ground you stand. You see how hopeless is your 
 position ; I see how I must go about to clear the 
 mystery up. First, the idea of escape to France 
 must be abandoned. Mature consideration will show 
 you how hopeless such a course would be. Twould 
 but rouse the King s determination ; and in no spot 
 in Christendom should you be beyond his reach, now 
 that Louis is his friend. When this plan is given 
 up, it leaves you with but one honourable alter 
 native the pacifying of the King." 
 
 "Pacifying! Do you know what that means?" 
 he broke in. 
 
 His daughter blushed deeply and turned to the 
 window. 
 
 " I said honourable alternative, Sir/ 
 
 " Twill be a surprise for his Majesty," he sneered. 
 
 " I hope you shall be able to play your part, Sir," 
 I said drily. 
 
 1 08
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 Again he almost choked with rage, but I went on, 
 without apparent notice. " The King, as I have 
 said, must in some way be induced to believe in your 
 ignorance of the Queen s presence when the attack 
 was made, or at least be persuaded to treat you 
 with leniency." 
 
 " Who will undertake the negotiations ? " 
 
 The lady turned from the window and looked at 
 me expectantly. 
 
 " The matter must take its own course, for the 
 present. When the opportunity presents itself, I 
 shall be prepared to do all in my power. I think 
 we shall not have long to wait. Meantime, if you 
 hope for a successful conclusion I must have your 
 confidence and support." 
 
 The lady looked anxious, and watched her father 
 eagerly, while he remained silent, apparently in doubt 
 as to what course to take. 
 
 At last he said : " The matter is of great weight, 
 and one to which an answer cannot be given without 
 deep consideration. At dinner-time I shall give you 
 my decision. In the meantime I promise to take 
 no action." 
 
 Again the lady s eyes sought mine. They now 
 seemed to bear a message. 
 
 " Am I at liberty to leave my house ? " Sir Alfred 
 smiled faintly. 
 
 " I hope to see you at dinner, Sir," I bowed. 
 
 He unlocked and opened the door and met Toby, 
 who faced him with drawn sword. 
 
 109
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 "All is well, Toby," I nodded. "Permit Sir 
 Alfred Heron to pass." 
 
 The little man frowned slightly, and drove his 
 sword into its scabbard with a sharp click. 
 
 Sir Alfred strode forth with a swagger, then 
 slackened his pace and crossed the lawn leisurely, 
 his hands behind him. 
 
 I stepped to the door, and in a whisper, gave Toby 
 his directions. " Follow him," I said, "wherever he 
 goes ; but offer no interference, unless he should 
 attempt to speak with someone else." 
 
 Toby touched his hat in silence, and was off. 
 
 " Now, Madam, what is it ? " 
 
 " It ? What ? " she asked in wide surprise. 
 
 " Did you did you not wish to speak to me ? " 
 She seemed possessed of an innocent way of making 
 one feel uncomfortable. 
 
 She wrinkled her brow for a moment, as though 
 in deep thought. " No, I think not." She reddened 
 a little. " Ah, yes ! I desired permission to leave 
 the house ; but I see you have sent Toby away, so I 
 must wait my guard s return." She turned away 
 with a grimace of mock resignation. 
 
 " Toby has received no such appointment. That 
 honour I have reserved for myself." 
 
 " And have I no choice ? " she asked sadly, her 
 head bending in submission. 
 
 " None ! " I said firmly. 
 
 " Then I bow to the inevitable." And with a 
 mocking little smile, and head still bowed, she passed 
 out ; and I twisting my mustaches followed. 
 
 no
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 SHE had said she did not wish to speak with me ; 
 but I would have sworn that she had sent me a 
 " speechless message " with her eyes, which plainly 
 said : " When my father shall have left the room, I 
 have something to tell you." When we left the 
 house, I thought it was some foolish pride that made 
 her deny that she had anything to say. But as we 
 strolled slowly from one walk to another, and she 
 spoke freely and light-heartedly of nothing more 
 serious than the changed positions of the nests in 
 the trees, the progress being made by divers early 
 plants, or the neglect into which a certain arbour 
 which she volunteered to show me might have 
 
 o 
 
 fallen, during her absence, I came to the conclusion 
 that my eyes must have deceived me. 
 
 That anyone in her position could speak so calmly 
 of things most commonplace, was almost past be 
 lief ; yet in her strange as the statement may ap 
 pear it seemed most natural. 
 
 For this reason, it came to me as a surprise, rather 
 than as that that most reasonably should have been 
 expected long before, when, after explaining that 
 this was her first visit to her old haunts since the 
 previous year, she suddenly came to a halt and, 
 facing me, asked abruptly : " How did it chance 
 
 III
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 that you undertook this task of apprehending us ? " 
 There was no anger nor reproach in her voice the 
 tones were half idly curious, half sad. 
 
 As 1 have said, her sudden return to seriousness 
 took me something unawares ; and I hesitated, there 
 fore, before making reply. 
 
 Her patience vanished with her change of thought, 
 for with a toss of her head she started on again. 
 " I should not have asked you. I have overstepped 
 the rights of a prisoner." 
 
 If her question surprised me, this sudden change 
 of temper did not help to collect my wits. Faith, 
 its total unwarrantableness set off a sudden anger 
 within me. 
 
 " Halt ! " 1 shouted sharply. 
 
 She started as though I had discharged a pistol, 
 then turned in alarm, white-faced and trembling. 
 
 The blood rushed to my head, my brain swam, 
 I felt my face burn as from fire, my eyes sought 
 the ground, and with uncovered head I took a step 
 toward her. 
 
 She drew back to the side of the path, fearing 
 that 1 should touch her. I should have preferred a 
 sword-stroke. 
 
 " Madam," I said humbly, " forgive me. There 
 is no excuse for the brutal way in which I spoke to 
 you, I know. My hope of pardon lies in your gen 
 erosity. Pardon an old soldier, whose rough life 
 has made him more masterful than gallant." 
 
 Her head was bowed, when Hooked up, but after 
 
 112
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 a little she raised her face to mine slowly. " It was 
 my fault," she said quietly. " I had no reason in 
 me, when I spoke so childishly. But I am so 
 troubled, Sir, I scarce know what I say." Her voice 
 trembled, and tears sprang to her eyes. 
 
 " I never shall forgive myself," I said bitterly. 
 
 " But you were in the right, Sir ; you brought 
 me to my senses." 
 
 " No, no, your kindness but makes me the more 
 miserable." 
 
 " It was all my fault ! " She stamped her foot 
 impatiently. 
 
 Her emphasis warned me to desist, else we were 
 like to run into greater difficulties : so I half- 
 smiled and bowed in submission, which seemed to 
 satisfy her, for she returned the smile, which pres 
 ently became broader on both sides, and finally 
 ended in a hearty laugh, in which our misunder 
 standing was borne away. 
 
 " And now, we are friends once more ? " I asked. 
 
 She reddened a little, glanced away, then replied 
 with great seriousness : " No, not friends, but ene 
 mies that are now allied against a common foe." 
 
 " Is it possible for foes to be allied ? " 
 
 " The English and the Dutch are so united." 
 
 " And the common foe ? " I asked, as we drew 
 near the arbour. 
 
 She looked at me strangely. " Perchance I was 
 wrong. You may have no enemies." 
 
 Why did I not bite my tongue to stop that ques- 
 
 8 113
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 tion? I meant it to draw out her confidence, but 
 her reply showed me the unkindness of my words. 
 It seemed as though my every effort was to wound 
 her ; and God knows how far were such intentions 
 from me. 
 
 " Indeed I have many," I said hastily. " For that 
 reason I wish to say to what one you refer in par 
 ticular." 
 
 Again she glanced at me, but half-believing. 
 
 " That opens up the whole matter," she replied 
 very seriously, her brow wrinkled and her whole 
 manner almost comically deliberate and judge-like. 
 
 Here was my opportunit} r now was my one 
 chance to learn the many mysteries still unsolved 
 and I seized it. 
 
 " But that is what I most desire, Madam ; if you 
 will so honour me with your confidence." 
 
 "We were at the arbour now a pretty place, noth 
 ing fallen into neglect, as she had feared, but still 
 retaining its quaint arrangement of seats and art 
 ful training of shrubs, a most restful and pleasing 
 spot of originality and seclusion among the flowers. 
 The little stream that we had visited in the morn 
 ing glided quietly past us here, between banks of 
 brightest green, which, on the side where we stood, 
 was steep, but opposite climbed into a hill of long 
 and gentle reach, and, with the exception of a few 
 yards by the water s edge, covered with grand old 
 trees. It was a place that made one think of a hot 
 summer day in the peaceful shade, of books and a 
 
 114
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 long-stemmed pipe, of twittering birds and a life of 
 ease, and yes a soft-voiced laugh, or a jolly romp. 
 It showed one, more clearly than all your philoso 
 phies, the follies of intrigue, warfare, hardship 
 and glory ; and softly whispered to one s heart that 
 here, and here only, could be found the real goal of 
 all ambition the rare contentment of a tranquil 
 mind. 
 
 I had time for the dream ere the lady resumed. 
 
 " Yes," she said presently, seating herself, " that 
 opens up the whole unfortunate affair. Why, why 
 did I ever consent to think of courts ? They con 
 tain naught but strife and wickedness. But you, 
 Sir," she broke off, " you have not yet answered my 
 question. How do you chance to be mixed in my 
 unhappy fortunes ? I shall not be so impatient this 
 time," she added, with a sad little smile. 
 
 Before making reply I looked carefully around, to 
 make sure that none could be eavesdropping ; then 
 taking a seat directly facing her, I said, speaking 
 low : " A note was handed me by the landlord of 
 the inn at which I was staying, which requested me 
 to be present at the dance of which you know, and 
 be prepared to render a noble service to the King." 
 
 u By whom was it signed?" the lady asked 
 eagerly. 
 
 I smiled at her innocence. " Tis not customary 
 to sign such missives, Madam. It merely directed 
 me to the place of merriment, and told how I should 
 know the writer." 
 
 "5
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " Yes ? " she asked, leaning forward with clasped 
 hands and eager face. 
 
 " It said that I might know him by a masque of 
 bright red, and that he would seek me out, if I would 
 sit at table, and come without disguise." 
 
 " A red masque ? " She shook her head. " 1 
 know of none that went so." 
 
 " Well, we met, as you know. He led me to a 
 private room above-stairs, where I was presented 
 after some little dispute to another gentleman, who 
 there awaited us. They told me of a plot to abduct 
 the Queen, and asked me to frustrate it. I con 
 sented and succeeded, as you know. The next morn 
 ing I went to Whitehall, at the command of the 
 King, and was informed by him that the lady who 
 had accompanied the Queen on the previous night 
 had disappeared from the Palace most mysteriously. 
 I handed to his Majesty a sword that I had taken 
 from one of the conspirators. On the blade was 
 engraved /Sir Alfred Heron and a coat of arms. 
 The King at once saw what had become of the 
 lady. She was the daughter of Sir Alfred, he told 
 me. A warrant for your father s arrest was given 
 me, and I set out at once. The rest, Madam, is 
 known to you." 
 
 " And you gave the sword to the King ? " There 
 was regret and reproach in her voice and 
 look. 
 
 " I did, but without knowing aught of Sir Alfred. 
 To me he was but a conspirator. Xot once did I 
 
 116
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 dream that he was the father of the lady that had 
 disappeared." 
 
 "No, no! How could you?" she said, after a 
 little thought. " But did you not learn more of the 
 man in the red masque ? " 
 
 " Yes. He was the Duke of Monmouth." 
 
 " The Duke of Monmouth ! And he told you of 
 a plot to abduct the Queen ? " 
 
 " Hush ! " I held up a hand in warning. " There 
 may be listeners about. Our conversation must be 
 secret." Then, before answering, I took a look 
 around among the trees and bushes. "We were alone 
 seemingly. 
 
 " Yes," I said, coming back, " twas his Grace that 
 told me of the plot. The other gentleman was the 
 King." 
 
 " The King ! Was he there too ? " 
 
 " In faith he was. And a close watch he had 
 placed on the Queen and her companion." 
 
 " Oh, the treachery of it all ! Why, Sir, twas the 
 young Duke that persuaded my father to make the 
 attempt to carry me off. He learned, in some way, 
 of her Majesty s intentions knew that I was chosen 
 to accompany her and then went to my father and 
 proposed my abduction, as the best way of getting 
 me away from that that awful place. I thought 
 he had told my father that it was with the Queen 
 I should go ; but even in that he was a knave, it 
 would seem. And he told you it was for carrying 
 off the Queen ! Oh ! is there no faith in man ? "
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 She buried her face in her hands for a moment, then 
 looked up again, wiping her eyes. 
 
 " But there must be some reason for this treachery. 
 No man will make of himself a plain traitor, unless 
 he hopes to further his selfish interests in some way. 
 Can you not think of any object the Little Duke 
 would have for washing your plans to miscarry ? He 
 seemed most anxions that the abductors should be 
 caught. In fact, he was quite annoyed when I re 
 fused an offer of assistance." 
 
 She thought for a moment, then blushed deeply 
 and turned her head partly from me. " It might be 
 because the Duke had some private quarrel with one 
 by whom my father was assisted. I can think of 
 no other reason," she said slowly, her eyes not meet 
 ing mine. 
 
 " And this one by whom your father was assisted ; 
 what is his name ? " 
 
 She looked up quickly. " Is it right that I should 
 tell you, Sir ? I mean, would it be a betrayal of my 
 father s confidence? I should like to tell, but know 
 not if tis right. Guide me, Sir. I am but a poor, 
 troubled maiden, driven almost to madness." There 
 was a tremble in her voice, and her mouth quivered, 
 as though she was near to giving way. 
 
 Here was something for which one would not 
 look, under such circumstances, and also something 
 that one should seldom find, if he should search for 
 a life-time. " How can Sir Alfred Heron be the 
 father of so noble a lady ? " I wondered. " Zounds ! 
 
 118
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 she s one in ten million ! " I swore under my 
 breath. 
 
 " Nay, Madam, do not tell me. A conscience like 
 yours always will guide you aright. But luckily I 
 know his name. Your father s companion was a 
 certain Lord Cad waller, a man of great friendship 
 with the King. 
 
 Her head remained bowed, and she gave no sign 
 of the effect of my words, save in the rosy colour that 
 rushed up her neck to her cheeks, then receded, only 
 to return again with the next breath. But from 
 this I felt assured that Cadwaller was the man, for 
 had I been wrong, she would have denied my as 
 sertion, I made no doubt. And now to learn more 
 concerning this person that already had played so 
 important a part in this business, and who judging 
 from Avhat I had overheard of the conversation be 
 tween Sir Alfred and his daughter was like to re 
 appear ere the play could be finished. 
 
 " "Tis unfortunate that his Lordship managed to 
 escape us. Now, had he been taken, the situation 
 would have been less uncomfortable for your father. 
 Cadwaller s influence with the King would doubt 
 less be strong enough to have everything hushed, 
 for on his head the greater responsibility would rest ; 
 and the King, ever lenient with his personal friends, 
 would, to shield the Earl, forego his vengeance on 
 Sir Alfred. But as the matter now stands, with his 
 Lordship unsuspected, the King will not be so ready 
 to please his friend. Then, if there is a quarrel be- 
 
 119
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 tween Cadwaller and the Little Duke, the opposition 
 of the latter must be considered also. For these 
 reasons we must come to the conclusion that his Lord 
 ship will be of little, if any, assistance to us." 
 
 Her look became almost joyful. " Oh, I am so 
 glad of that, Sir ! I have nothing but contempt for 
 the knave ! " She clenched her little white fists in 
 sudden fury. " If I were only a man ! " (Eyes 
 sparkling and lips compressed.) 
 
 I had a mind to tell her that the transformation 
 would be far from an improvement. But I said 
 nothing, and awaited the abating of the little tempest. 
 And it soon came. Gradually the red lips and the 
 hands relaxed, then slowly her face turned toward 
 me, and catching a twinkle in my eye a thing that 
 I could not suppress her sense of humour asserted 
 itself, and she was unable to keep back a smile. 
 
 " Still, I do," she persisted, a moment later. 
 
 " Well ah well, can not that defensive alliance 
 of which we were speaking be made to serve 
 instead ? " 
 
 She laughed a little, yet tried to appear impatient. 
 " You are not over-serious, Sir," she pouted, toying 
 with a ribbon. 
 
 " Oh, Madam, I protest ! " 
 
 "Nay, nay, hush ! as you told me a few moments 
 since ; there may be listeners, as you said. Much 
 protesting, you know, is a sign of insincerity, they 
 say." She was smiling again. 
 
 Zooks ! twas a mighty difficult task for one to 
 
 1 2O
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 remain serious for long, when in her presence. She 
 was so young, and beautiful, and bright, and full of 
 sunshine, even in such sore trouble, that she made 
 one feel the fire, glory, and irrepressible light- 
 heartedness of youth, despite a most embarrassing- 
 situation and five-and-thirty years of kicks about 
 the world. 
 
 I again took my seat, and looked very serious, 
 while she, after watching my expression for a 
 moment, rested her chin upon the backs of her hands 
 and stared off across the little stream, apparently 
 lost in her thoughts. 
 
 " I wish I knew "she started slowly, her eyes 
 
 still directed across the stream and there she stopped 
 abruptly, and turned red, as though the words 
 had slipped out half-unconsciously. For a fraction 
 of a second she looked at me, then dropped her eyes 
 again, with : " No, I did not mean it." 
 
 " Oli ! " I said. " Should I feel pleased or an 
 noyed ( " 
 
 " If you will promise to be annoyed, I will tell 
 you what I was about to say." (A little spitefully.) 
 
 " I swear to be angry and 
 
 " Swear ? " she laughed. 
 
 My mustaches required a thoughtful twist. " No, 
 not without special orders." 
 
 " Then I fear you will not be very angry." 
 
 " I only swear when amused." 
 
 " How full of amusement men s lives must be." 
 
 1 made no return of the blow r . 
 
 121
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 The little victory seemed to give her more confi 
 dence. " What I started to say was : I wish I knew 
 you better that is, I wish I could see how you will 
 act in this trouble, and why you are working against 
 my enemies. You kno\v you you seem so 
 honest, and yet I have seen you but once. I know 
 not why I should trust you. You may be working 
 against me, for for aught I know to the contrary." 
 Her head was bowed again, and while she spoke 
 she plucked the petals from a rose bloom, one by 
 one, and dropped them into her lap. 
 
 So sincere was my determination to see justice 
 done to this poor maiden, that it had not seemed 
 strange to me that she was so ready to trust and 
 take me into her confidence. Yet now, when she 
 spoke of it, I could not but wonder that she had 
 been so confiding ; for, as she said, she had not 
 known of my existence until two days before. Faith, 
 as I looked at the matter from her point of view, it 
 became evident that I should, explain my position ; 
 and at that moment it occurred to me that a rea 
 sonable explanation of why I WLS assisting her 
 would be a mighty difficult and embarrassing thing 
 to give. 
 
 " Gad ! " I said, sorely puzzled, " I wonder not at 
 your uncertainty. Now that you mention it, my 
 position seems a strange one. The only explanation 
 I can offer is that I am not hired by the King to do 
 whatever he bids. True, I undertook to arrest your 
 father, and to prevent your leaving here until I 
 
 122
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 should hear from his Majesty ; but I promised no 
 more. I made myself party to no undertaking that 
 had the injury of an innocent person as its object ; 
 in fact, I undertook the service more for the purpose 
 of seeing justice done, than aught else. I am not 
 in the pay of the King, and when I hear from him, 
 what I promised shall have been fulfilled. After 
 that, tis possible his Majesty and I may differ on a 
 question of justice who can tell?" 
 
 While I was speaking, she kept her eyes fixed on 
 the opposite bank, but when I had finished, she turned 
 and looked at me steadily for a moment. 
 
 " As God s above us, Madam, I have told you the 
 whole truth and nothing more," I said, uncovering. 
 
 " I believe you, Master Everard. I have trusted 
 you ever since you came, though without a real 
 reason. We shall be friends now if you will, Sir." 
 She put out the smallest, whitest little hand in the 
 world. 
 
 " As well as allies," I reminded, bending over it. 
 
 She laughed, then turned serious. " But the 
 King, Sir, is not the only one I fear," she said, 
 with head turned partly from me ; " though I must 
 not further weary you with my troubles." 
 
 " If we are allies, you should tell me all ; if friends 
 and allies, the more reason for your confidence. The 
 greater my knowledge of the whole matter, the less 
 difficult will be my task of frustrating your perse 
 cutors, which in any event seems like to be suffi 
 ciently uncertain to lend zest to the enterprise." 
 
 123
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 She glanced around, then, lowering her voice and 
 leaning forward a little, she said, very low : " Tis 
 undutii ul to say it, I know, but you you already 
 know my father ; he 
 
 " Yes, yes, I understand," I put in, for she seemed 
 inclined to go no further. 
 
 " This Lord Cadwaller has some influence over 
 
 him, I fear, and he Oh, I cannot tell you, Sir, 
 
 tis too shameful ! " 
 
 " Yes," I said with a tightening about the jaws, 
 "I have suspected this. Come, Madam, do not 
 despair; neither the King nor Cadwaller yet has 
 seriously harmed you, nor shall either, by Heaven! " 
 I gave my hat a savage jerk forward over my eyes 
 and stared at the opposite bank myself. 
 
 Neither spoke for some time, and I was wander 
 ing off through a whirl of plans for the defeating of 
 them that soon were to be my opponents, when I 
 heard a strange little laugh, and, turning to the 
 lady, beheld her smiling through her tears. 
 
 " You swore," she said comically. " Are you 
 amused ? " 
 
 I tried to put reproof into my look, but, for some 
 unknown reason, it would not come at my command ; 
 and as she continued to look at me with that half- 
 laughing, half-tearful expression, I abandoned the 
 effort, and smiled back broadly. 
 
 " No, that is the exception that proves my rule," 
 I said, laughing. 
 
 At this moment a small piece of gravel struck 
 
 124
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 the rustic bench upon which I was sitting. The 
 lady gave a little startled scream, and sprang to her 
 feet, while ray hand flew to my sword by instinct, 
 as I arose and faced in the direction from which 
 the stone seemed to have come. I listened in 
 tently, and thought I made out a faint sound, as 
 of someone retreating from behind a hedge a few 
 paces from the arbour, before which we had been 
 sitting. 
 
 " Be not alarmed, Madam, and remain where you 
 are ; I shall return in a moment. I must search 
 behind that hedge." 
 
 " Nay, nay, Sir, you must not ! there may be 
 danger there ! " She put her hand on my arm in 
 restraint. 
 
 " Danger ! " I cried. " II a ! Danger and I are old 
 friends." And gently releasing myself, I whipped 
 out my sword and, crossing the open space at a 
 run, cleared the hedge like a schoolboy. In the air 
 I wondered at my activity. 
 
 But not a soul could I find, though I searched in 
 ever} r place that offered a chance of concealment. 
 If any one had been there, listening, twas evident 
 he had made his escape ; though how he managed 
 it so quietly, I could not make out. There was also 
 the possibility that I had mistaken the place whence 
 the sound came. The strangeness of the incident 
 then occurred to me. " Why should an eaves 
 dropper wish to attract my attention to his pres 
 ence ? " I wondered. This thought gave me a 
 
 125
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 sudden shock. " What if it is but a plan to get me 
 away from the lady ? " I gasped, and started back 
 with all speed. As I came up to the hedge I peeped 
 over, half-fearful lest I should find that she had dis 
 appeared. Then I gave a sigh of relief, and re 
 turned to her presence with more dignity than I 
 had displayed in leaving. 
 
 At my approach she turned from a maid, to 
 whom she had been speaking, and advanced a few 
 steps toward me. 
 
 " Yes? " she asked, her face anxious. 
 
 " No one," I replied, raising my eyebrows and 
 nodding in the direction of the other. 
 
 " My maid, to say that tis dinner-time. But was 
 there no sign of anyone? " 
 
 "No. Tis possible it came from the other side 
 of the stream., or it may have been our imagina 
 tion." I wished to relieve her mind of anxiety. 
 
 " But the stone was not imagination. Here it 
 is." She handed me a little pebble about the size 
 of a chestnut. 
 
 " A bird may have dropped it," I said carelessly. 
 
 She looked at me peculiarly, evidently suspecting 
 my object, but said nothing. Then, turning to 
 the maid Martha, she called her she sent her 
 back to the house, after telling her we should fol 
 low directly. 
 
 " Come," she said, after standing silent so long as 
 the maid was in sight, " whom do you sus 
 pect ? 
 
 126
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " Of what ? " Her question came with too great 
 a suddenness. 
 
 " Of throwing the pebble, to be sure." 
 
 " Suspect ! Why, 1 can form no idea ; for there 
 is no apparent object that anyone listening could 
 have in wishing to call our attention to his pres 
 ence." 
 
 " I don t agree with you in this," she said, smil 
 ing a little at what, I could not imagine. 
 
 " In what do we disagree ? " 
 
 " I think there was someone there. Yes, more 
 than someone." She nodded her head very wisely. 
 Then a startled and pained look came over her face, 
 and I heard her mutter : " No, no, not that ! he 
 surely would not ! " 
 
 I watched her curiously. " Here is the strangest 
 puzzle with which I ever have been confronted 
 ay, and the most lovely ! Zounds ! what a wondrous 
 combination ! Youth, wit, and reason, and all done 
 up in the most beautiful and bewitching little bundle 
 possible to imagine. Tears one moment, then a 
 strange little laugh, that, some way, goes to one s 
 heart more than the tears ; and then, while the 
 pathos and humour are mixing within you, out pops 
 a sunbeam of rare penetration. Zooks! she is a 
 marvel of harmony and discord ; but, spit me ! 
 the discords seem harmony too." I shook my head. 
 " Strange, strange !" I muttered, "but she makes 
 one feel feel ah ah well boyish. Now I won 
 der I wonder what the devil do I wonder? Oh ! 
 
 127
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 I must be over hungry," I concluded, and started 
 after her, who stood waiting a few paces up the 
 path. Her face wore a little smile of half-amuse 
 ment, half-surprise. 
 
 " What were you considering so deeply ? " she 
 questioned, as I came up. 
 
 " Considering ! Was I considering ? " 
 
 A shadow of annoyance passed over her face. 
 " You should best know, Sir." 
 
 " Oh, yes to be sure ! why, certainly ! " I stam 
 mered uneasily. 
 
 She raised her eyebrows and looked at me curi 
 ously. 
 
 " Yes, that stone strange, the way it fell. Who 
 could have thrown it, I wonder ? " 
 
 She fixed her eyes on the house and smiled 
 strangely. " A bird dropped it, did it not ? I fear 
 you are forgetful, Sir." 
 
 " Oh, yes yes pardon me; I had forgot. But 
 look ! How beautiful ! " I broke off, stopping beside 
 a bush that was one mass of blooms, on one of 
 which a huge butterfly was sunning himself and 
 lazily waving his wings, as though breathing in the 
 perfume. 
 
 " Yes, beautiful, and so opportune! " she laughed. 
 " Give me your hat, Sir ; I must catch it." 
 
 But the purplish beauty had no mind for being 
 caught ; for as the lady attempted to drop the hat 
 over him, he made a demi-volte and flashed beneath 
 her arm. 
 
 128
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " Oh ! " she cried in disappointment. 
 
 " Quick ! " I seized the hat and started in pursuit. 
 
 He dodged quickly from one bush to another, 
 leading me a lively chase. Then I was almost upon 
 him. He circled beautifully, as though to pass 
 behind a brier bush, but changing his mind at the 
 last moment, he darted quickly upward, as though 
 in sudden fright. I swore and followed missed 
 him by an inch and came down upon something 
 that groaned sadly, as it and I rolled into the sweet 
 but sharp-toothed bush. " Oh, Lord ! " cried Toby, 
 as he scrambled to his feet, " you almost broke my 
 back, Sir ! " And then, with one hand held to his 
 back and the other over his mouth, lie made a sound 
 not unlike a smothered cough. I ll swear he was 
 laughing. 
 
 " Damn you, Toby ! why don t keep out of the 
 way ? " I stormed, lifting up myself and my sad- 
 looking hat. " Confound you ! you re always where 
 least expected ! " 
 
 " Very sorry, Sir ! sorry you missed it, Sir ! " 
 He bowed and brushed himself vigorously. 
 
 "Missed what?" 
 
 " Why, the butterfly, Sir." 
 
 I ground my teeth. Here was the second time 
 he had caught me playing the fool, feeding fishes 
 in the morning, chasing butterflies at noon. Lord ! 
 what next? 
 
 " Yes, I hate butterflies," I growled, with as good 
 a look of truth as I could put on. " I always kill 
 9 129
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 them when I can." How weak it sounded ! But 
 Toby managed to keep control of his features. 
 
 " Why did you throw the stone? " I questioned, 
 glad to change the subject. 
 
 " Sir Alfred had just reached the hedge, Sir, and 
 was watching you." 
 
 " Where is he now ? " 
 
 " Gone on toward the house, Sir." 
 
 " Quick, then ; follow him ! I hope you re not 
 hurt, Toby." 
 
 " Oh, no, Sir ! Sorry you missed it, Sir." 
 
 I shook my fist at his retreating figure, then 
 turned back to where I had left the lady. 
 
 " Did you not get it ? " In her voice was disap 
 pointment, in her eyes a merry twinkle. 
 
 " No, Madam ; but it got me." 
 
 " What ? the butterfly ? " She laughed outright. 
 
 " No ; a brier bush." 
 
 " Oh ! Were you injured ? " 
 
 " My temper, chiefly." I was half-angry, yet 
 tempted to laugh. 
 
 She hesitated a moment, as though wondering if 
 it was safe to say what she had in mind ; but the 
 temptation was too great. " Were you were you 
 amused ? " 
 
 I could not keep from laughing. " Well, just a 
 little a very little. I now regret that I did not 
 indulge myself more." 
 
 " But was all your conversation with the busli 
 and the butterfly ? " 
 
 130
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 I hesitated considered and decided that to one 
 of her character the truth should be told. " Nay ; 
 Toby was there," I said quietly. 
 
 She blushed deeply, bit her lip, as though to keep 
 back an exclamation of pain, and walked on with 
 quickened step and in silence to the house. And 
 through dinner she said scarcely a word, though 
 her father, who decided to be guided by me, laughed 
 and chatted merrily, as though he and I had been 
 comrades. 
 
 For his daughter s sake, I treated him as a gentle 
 man, and, though it went mightily against my 
 s t^- ~~h, conversed with him freely.
 
 CHAPTEK VIII. 
 
 I NOW felt no fear that Sir Alfred would again 
 change his mind and decide that his former plan- 
 that is, to run away was wiser than to remain. 
 He saw clearly, I made no doubt, that his only 
 chance of extricating himself from his difficulties lay 
 in the advice I had given him. He was a coward, 
 as well as a knave, I was forced to confess, and in 
 his cowardice lay the secret of his apparently brave 
 selection, he feared to flee, lest he then should cut 
 himself off from all hopes of compromise or pardon; 
 for he well knew I spoke truth when I said there 
 was no place in Christendom in Avhich he long could 
 hide from his Majesty, King Charles of England. 
 No, I did not look for any serious trouble from Sir 
 Alfred he now would rely on me from necessity, 
 for the present, at least; twas this Cad waller, 
 backed by the King, that caused my chief anxiety. 
 From the time when I overheard the stormy con 
 versation between father and daughter, I had formed 
 my opinion of the plans of his Lordship. That the 
 maiden had but a faint suspicion of the depth of 
 degradation that was being prepared for her, I 
 knew full well. As for Sir Alfred, I felt inclined to 
 believe that he too was partly in ignorance, even 
 though he had shown himself to be capable of almost 
 
 132
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 any villainy. In ray own mind was locked the mis 
 erable knowledge of their vile plans, the thoughts of 
 which, whether I strolled idly through the park or 
 tossed upon my bed, set such a fire to burn within 
 me as made me long for a moment when this uncer 
 tainty should be at an end, and I should stand face 
 to face with them that held the power. 
 
 But my hope that I should not have long to wait 
 ere matters were brought to a climax was doomed 
 to disappointment. There came no message from 
 the King the day following the departure of Sir 
 Charles, though I fully expected his Majesty to act 
 with promptness. The next passed the same, and 
 for a week after that we were kept in anxious 
 uncertainty. 
 
 Sir Alfred became irritable and excited ; Toby, 
 for someunexplainable reason, avoided my presence, 
 and sulked ; Mistress Heron fed the fishes and grew 
 more reserved, and rarely was seen without her 
 maid, Martha, at her heels ; while I developed 
 something of Sir Alfred s temper, and swore at the 
 servants, became less hearty at table, and sat be 
 side the little stream, alone, and stared into the 
 water with eyes that did not see. 
 
 Sometimes I spent a whole morning in an at 
 tempt to lose myself in the park to get away from 
 everything away from myself. But always on 
 those wanderings, the uncomfortable feeling that 
 I was not alone that some one was following 
 me would not be shaken off. " Tis a foolish idea,
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 to be sure," I thought. " Yes, upon my soul, tis 
 childish ! " Then I would stop and consider. 
 " What the devil is the matter with me ? " I would 
 cry out peevishly. " I must be far from well," I 
 would conclude, and then return to my favourite 
 spot near the arbour, and try to see the fishes in 
 the stream. But still the feeling of another pres 
 ence would not leave me a presence not to be 
 desired. 
 
 On the eighth day after the return of Sir Charles 
 to London, I was sitting by the stream as usual, 
 oppressed by the same unexplainable melancholy 
 that now had become a part of me, when I heard a 
 lady s voice, and, glancing over my shoulder, be 
 held Mistress Heron and her maid emerging from 
 the path. The lady was laughing, as though in 
 high glee, and telling something to the other. I 
 know not what caused it, but a boyish impulse to 
 run came over me, and, obeying its dictate, I 
 dodged quickly behind a bush and ran hastily back 
 until I had passed the end of the hedge, round 
 which I went almost silently. Then I peeped out 
 to see if I had been detected. No ; she was seated 
 now, and while I watched, she turned to the rose 
 bush behind her bench and plucked a bloom, as she 
 had on that first morning. For a moment she was 
 serious, then the maid said something, and the lady 
 clapped her hands joyously, and her merry laugh 
 came to me. I turned on my heel and walked 
 away, with mixed feelings of sadness and anger. 
 
 134
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " She is happy and gay and thoughtless," I mut 
 tered, "and I am sad, gloomy, and Ha, you 
 
 knave 1 So I have caught you at last ! " And I 
 let out my wrath in the pursuit and capture of the 
 fleeing Julius, the porter. 
 
 He was gliding from behind one tree to another 
 when I spied him, but seeing that he was detected 
 he threw off his snake-like manner for the nonce, 
 and showed a cleaner pair of heels than one should 
 expect in so slow-moving an animal. He fled for 
 but a score of yards, however, for his foot caught 
 on a projecting root, and he sprawled at full length 
 upon the grass. As he regained his feet I was upon 
 him. My mind was in no condition to exercise 
 leniency. I seized him by the collar, and shook 
 him until his teeth rattled, then administered as 
 liberal a quantity of boot leather as my toe could 
 well stand. 
 
 " Now hark, you spying villain," I said, when I 
 had exhausted my list of stronger terms. " If ever 
 again I catch you at such practice, tis steel instead 
 of leather I will use ! There, begone, and thank 
 heaven that you have escaped with your life !" I 
 gave him a final shake and push from me. 
 
 Not a word did he utter, and no struggle did he 
 make, but took his punishment with scowling pas- 
 siveness. "When I bade him go, he stared at me 
 savagely for a moment, then turned, still silent, and 
 sneaked off. At a dozen paces from me he halted, 
 turned slowly, and cast at me another look of hatred. 
 
 135
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 Yes, plainly that look meant murder. The face 
 was still of the almost yellow hue no trace of a 
 fiery passion. Twas in its hellish calmness that 
 the menace lay a calmness as hideous as unnatural. 
 Not even in the eyes did a fire burn twas a masque 
 of Death, as perfect as any that the most morbid 
 sculptor could dream of ; and the lank and dead 
 black hair made a fitting drape. As Toby said, when 
 I told him of the incident, the creature reminded 
 one of the vile insects under a rotten log. 
 
 The devil boiled up within me as he stared. I 
 took a step toward him, my hand upon my hilt, 
 but he limped off through the bushes, and in a mo 
 ment was out of sight. I leaned against a tree and 
 stared after him, while the conviction that this half- 
 dead fiend and I some day should have a greater 
 difference to settle was forced in upon me. 
 
 " Yes," I muttered, " there is here the hand of 
 Destiny. Either that devil was born to murder me, 
 or I sent here to rid the earth of that foul ulcer. 
 Which ? I wonder. Well, something tells me we 
 shall not have long to wait for the answer ; and 
 which it is bah ! I care not." Then I laughed at 
 my foolishness, but turned with a start at the sound 
 of a footstep behind me. 
 
 A little scream. " Oh, you frightened me ! " she 
 cried reproachfully. " Why so warlike ? " she smiled 
 in surprise. 
 
 I sheathed my blade in confusion, and bowed, 
 feeling mighty foolish and uncomfortable the while. 
 
 136
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 "I just have finished chastising a spy, Madam. 
 He left but now, and when I heard you behind me, 
 I thought he might be returning." 
 
 "A spy!" 
 
 " Ay, Madam ; a most loathsome creature Julius, 
 he is called, I think." From some absurd cause, I 
 felt quarrelsome felt like blaming her for some 
 thing wished to put her in the wrong ; therefore I 
 emphasized the loathing I felt for this Julius the 
 thing that she had defended the first morning at 
 the bridge. 
 
 " Julius ! " She raised her eyebrows. " And have 
 you not outgrown your dislike for poor Julius ? " 
 She laughed provokingly. " And Julius a spy ! Fie, 
 Sir ! you wrong him. There must be some mistake. 
 But did you hurt him ? " Her voice was anxious 
 and a little severe, I thought. 
 
 "Nay, I fear not," I replied coldly; "for the 
 thing seems possessed of no feeling. Next time I 
 shall try steel." 
 
 " Xo, no, you must not ! "What has he done to 
 make you speak so bitterly ? " 
 
 Her great solicitude for the knave but irritated 
 me the more. 
 
 " What has he done ? He has followed me every 
 day since I came here. He dogs me wherever T go. 
 To-day was the first time I succeeded in catching 
 him the next shall be the last." I know my man 
 ner was brutal, but I felt the ill-temper within me, 
 and it would force itself out. 
 
 137
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 Her face took on a startled look, and she drew 
 back, as though in fear. " You you must not kill 
 him ! " she said earnestly. " Nay, please promise 
 me that you will not." She held out her hands in 
 supplication. 
 
 I smiled, but the smile was mirthless, for my heart 
 was bitter. An unworthy question came to my lips, 
 but, thank God, I kept it back, and blushed for it. 
 
 " Think not that I wish you to be harmed," she 
 went on in a lower voice ; " but I know he means 
 you no injury ; tis but because he looks upon you 
 as my enemy. I shall see that he will trouble you 
 no more, Sir. Now, will you be less Avarlike ? " 
 She laughed a little uneasily. 
 
 " Oh, Madam, you need have no fear for your 
 servant. I am no murderous ruffian that slays with 
 out provocation. I shall harm no one, save in self- 
 defence; but the actions of this Julius seem mighty 
 suspicious, and I have no liking for the knife of such 
 a knave between my shoulders. He may, as you 
 say, mean meno harm, but he has a look about him 
 not encouraging to confidence." 
 
 Her eyes flashed in anger for a moment, then she 
 lowered them, her toe tapping the grass impatiently. 
 
 I leaned against a tree and dug holes in the ground 
 with the heel of my boot, while strong feelings 
 of anger, disappointment, and I know not what, 
 surged and mixed uncomfortably within me. I felt 
 like swearing, crying out with a groan, or anything 
 foolish ; but I bored holes, and said nothing. 
 
 138
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " You know," she said presently, " I can not blame 
 you for disliking him ; his appearance is against him. 
 I feel uncomfortable when I look at the fellow my 
 self. But he is so faithful a creature that I think it 
 a duty to treat him with kindness. Come, we must 
 not quarrel over a servant. I shall warn him to 
 trouble you no more." 
 
 There now seemed to be no room for a mis 
 understanding. Her reserve of the past few days 
 had disappeared. She had made a step in the direc 
 tion of the renewal of our former peaceful relations. 
 My gloom melted ; my unreasonable anger against 
 every one and everything settled down into a more 
 generous feeling ; the old Spirit of the Park shook 
 off the frown he had been wearing, and smiled as 
 on that first day yea, I even fancied that he chuckled 
 softly, as though enjoying some rich joke. I had 
 lost some dignity, mayhap, and a little temper ; but 
 I felt no inconvenience from the loss I was lighter 
 without them. 
 
 " I hope, Madam, you again will forgive my 
 roughness," I said earnestly. "I am always craving 
 your pardon for some hasty rudeness, it seems. I 
 fear you will weary of it, and think me insincere." 
 
 " Nay, nay ! tis not wholly your fault, Sir," she 
 said with mock severity. " You are afflicted with 
 a monstrous bad temper, therefore allowances must 
 be made. This time I shall exercise leniency ; the 
 next shall be the last ! " She frowned, stamped 
 her foot, and imitated my manner so ludicrously 
 
 139
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 that though I felt a little uncomfortable I was 
 forced to laugh aloud. 
 
 " Nay, I fear I am too lenient. You must not 
 escape without punishment. Surrender your sword, 
 Sir. 
 
 I surrendered. 
 
 " Oh ! tis very heavy," she cried, with a most 
 comic look of disappointment, as the point bent to 
 the ground. " Faith, I must use both hands, 1 fear." 
 Then she took her stand against a tree, and with 
 arms locked over the hilt, and the point resting on 
 the ground, she bowed her head upon her breast 
 and looked frowningly off through the trees in the 
 most laughable imitation of me. Suddenly she 
 started up, listened for an instant, then sprang from 
 her position and brandished the blade threateningly. 
 
 I took the cue, and jumped back with : " Oh ! you 
 frightened me." And then we both laughed until 
 the park rang. 
 
 "Now, are you sufficiently punished?" Again 
 she was trying to look severe. 
 
 " Nay, I fear not. You must do that again." 
 
 " No ; that awful sword is too heavy. Tis more 
 punishment to the innocent than to the wicked." 
 With both hands she pointed the weapon at me. 
 
 " That awful sword ? Oh, Madam, you are cruel ! 
 Yes ; for that good old blade and I have weathered 
 many storms together. For more than ten years it 
 has hung from my shoulder always faithful, ready, 
 and eager to defend. There " I pointed to a nick 
 
 140
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 near the hilt " is an old scar to bear witness of 
 what I owe it. The blow that caused that gash was 
 meant for me. I leave it there for old memory s 
 sake. That blade is no courtier s toy, Madam, but 
 a rough and unless in the right hands clumsy old 
 warrior. No high-polished bauble, full of tricks and 
 flourishes, but a true bit of steel, which never will 
 fail." 
 
 " I believe you love it." She smiled gently. 
 
 " Love it ! I do. Tis all I ever have loved it 
 and and Toby." 
 
 She bent over the hilt and examined it very care 
 fully. " Yes, tis a stout old blade," she said quietly. 
 Then she gave it back to me, looking toward the 
 arbour. " Are you coming this way?" Her voice 
 had a strange tremble in it, and she did not look 
 at me. 
 
 " I wonder if anything I said hurt her ? " I 
 muttered. Then I caught sight of her face. . . . 
 she was smiling. 
 
 As we passed through the opening in the hedge, 
 a man-servant was talking with the maid, who 
 pointed to the place from which we were coming. 
 The man turned and came hastily toward us ; but 
 when asked his business, he glanced at me uneasily, 
 fingering his hat the while, and needs must again 
 be commanded ere he would deliver his mes 
 sage. 
 
 " Tis a coach, Ma am, that has just arrived," says 
 the fellow, still eyeing me anxiously. 
 
 141
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " Well, and is that all ? " Mistress Heron tapped 
 her foot impatiently. 
 
 " And and, may it please you, Ma am, the 
 Master told me to say, Ma am, 
 
 " Yes, yes, and you have said it more than suffi 
 cient ! What is your message ? " She stamped her 
 foot in emphasis. 
 
 The fellow took one last look at me, then, throwing 
 caution to the winds and breaking orders, I war 
 rant. he said : 
 
 " The Master said, Ma am, that you will please to 
 come to him at the Hall." 
 
 " Yes, yes and the coach. Who came in the 
 coach ? " 
 
 " A gentleman, Ma am. Lord Lord . I forget 
 the name, Ma am." 
 
 " Return, and tell your Master that you have 
 delivered your message," I put in, for the lady 
 turned to me appealingly. 
 
 The fellow glanced at his Mistress. 
 
 " Go ! Must I speak twice ?" I shouted. ... He 
 vanished. 
 
 " Ha ! " I puzzled, when we were seated and the 
 maid dismissed. " How comes he here ? Mon- 
 mouth must have been outwitted." 
 
 " Oh, now start my greatest troubles ! Do you 
 think he has orders from the King to take me 
 away ? " She was pale and trembling. 
 
 " If so. he has found a nice, warm, dry soil in 
 which to lie," I laughed savagely. 
 
 142
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " But the King s orders ! " 
 
 " I have not yet been told that his Lordship 
 bears them. But if it should come to that, there s 
 for the King and his orders." I snapped my fingers 
 in the air. 
 
 " But, oh, Sir, you know what that means to you ! 
 Please promise me that you will not act rashly ! 
 Come, you know you are inclined to be to rash ! 
 And if you should come to grief on my account, I 
 never could forgive myself ! Promise me, before 
 you meet this man, that you will be politic. Out 
 wit him, but do not leave yourself open to a serious 
 charge ! " Her voice was eloquent beyond descrip 
 tion, and her look beseeching and full of trouble. 
 
 I smiled back reassuringly. " Have no fear for 
 me, Madam. Kings are not so difficult animals to 
 manage as people are inclined to imagine. I have 
 had much to do with them in my time, and have 
 learned that a stiff upper lip has more power than 
 a bended knee. Do not act with his Lordship as 
 though you fear him, and I will look out for the 
 rest." 
 
 At this moment Toby came up hastily. Halting, 
 he touched his hat smartly, then stood motionless, 
 awaiting my speech. 
 
 " Yes, Toby ? " 
 
 " The Black Masque that escaped, I ll be sworn, 
 Sir. Calls himself Lord Cad something. Just ar 
 rived in a coach, with but the coachman and one 
 servant. He sent for me, Sir, and ordered me (Toby 
 
 143
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 almost choked on the ordered ) to tell you to report 
 to him at once, Sir." He sniffed indignantly. 
 
 I sprang to my feet so did Mistress Heron, who 
 fixed her eyes anxiously on my face. " Return, 
 Toby, and tell his Lordship, with my compliments, 
 to go to the devil. I take orders from no one." 
 
 Toby touched his hat and turned without a word. 
 
 " Toby ! " I called, as he reached the path. 
 
 " Yes, Sir ! " 
 
 " Deliver my message word for word, and be 
 where I easily can find you in half an hour." 
 
 " Yes, Sir ! " And he was gone. 
 
 " Oh, dear, dear, such a hot-head ! I am unable 
 to manage you ! " She shook her head mournfully 
 as she took her seat. But for all that, I could see 
 she was glad his Lordship at last had met with a 
 rebuff that would sorely wound his dignity. 
 
 I said nothing, but, again taking my seat, pulled 
 at my upper lip thoughtfully. 
 
 " But will Toby deliver your message as you told 
 him ? " she smiled. 
 
 I laughed. " And it were the King himself, not 
 a jot of amendment would Toby make." 
 
 She again shook her head. " "What a strange pair 
 of men ! " she said musingly. " Master and man 
 and how well matched ! " Then she looked off 
 across the stream, with a strange, half-sad little 
 smile. 
 
 And 1 sat twisting my mustaches and won 
 dering. 
 
 144
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 AT the end of half an hour, when we emerged 
 from the path and started to cross the lawn, we 
 beheld Sir Alfred, arm and arm with the Earl, 
 strolling to and fro before the house. 
 
 Mistress Heron turned white of a sudden as she 
 saw them, and then she drew closer to me, as though 
 for protection. 
 
 Then Sir Alfred caught sight of us, and the two 
 stopped and, after a hasty glance toward us from 
 Cadwaller, they entered into what seemed a most 
 absorbing conversation ; for no notice did they take 
 of our approach until we were within a dozen paces 
 of them, when his Lordship turned with a start and 
 at sight of us came forward, bending low, with hat 
 in hand. 
 
 " You see, Madam, how impossible is life at 
 "Whitehall now. Faith, we ve been groping in the 
 dark since our bright star fled ; but I saw it spark 
 ling in the east, and followed." He attempted to 
 take her hand as he finished this piece of nonsense, 
 but the lady put her hands behind her back and 
 bowed coldly, at which his Lordship turned red to 
 the roots of his hair, and cried out, with a mighty 
 poor attempt at a smile : 
 
 " Cruelty, thy name is woman ! Old William 
 should have writ it so. Slife! were not ladies 
 10 145
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 to be judged by the opposite to their words and 
 acts, my heart might well be heavy." He laughed 
 uneasily, and turned to Sir Alfred. " I fear tis evil 
 communications. You know what our old 
 friend- 
 
 " Toby ! " I called aloud, seeing the little man 
 standing a score of yards away. 
 
 The Earl turned with a half muttered oath and 
 stared at me with flashing eyes. Sir Alfred looked 
 frightened, and drummed his fingers upon his snuff 
 box uneasily. His daughter seemed startled, and 
 watched me anxiously. And Toby hastened to 
 where we stood. 
 
 " Oh, Toby, I gave you a message some little 
 while since. Do you remember ? " 
 
 " Yes, Sir." 
 
 " And did you deliver it ? " 
 
 " Yes, Sir." 
 
 " Yery well, Toby that will do." 
 
 Cadwaller turned a deeper scarlet, and glared 
 savagely, first at me, then at Toby. From me he 
 got a straight stare, from Toby a good imitation 
 of me. 
 
 " Ha, ha ! how very clever ! Od s fish ! who 
 would look for such wit in a brigand ? Ton my 
 soul, Sir Alfred, you ve made a find ! " 
 
 " Fie, fie, my Lord ! you would make me your 
 equal. Believe me, I am not so ambitious." 
 
 " What the devil does he mean, Sir Alfred ? My 
 rough journey has muddled my wits." 
 
 146
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " Come, come, gentlemen, no quarreling ! Re 
 member the servants ! " Sir Alfred anxiously put in. 
 " And you, Virginia, I understand not your 
 rudeness to his Lordship, to whom we owe so much. 
 I give you to understand that it will be through Lord 
 Cad waller s good offices that we shall escape from 
 the embarrassing position in which we now stand. 
 And it will be more becoming to drop this absurd 
 reserve, and treat with due respect the nobleman 
 whose wife you soon shall be." As he finished he 
 glanced at me, as though what he said was meant 
 for the ears of more than his daughter. 
 
 Her face was pale as she made reply, but she held 
 her head high and spoke with such a cairn dignity 
 that it gave what she said a power far beyond what 
 one would expect from a sorely troubled maiden. 
 
 " Lord Cadwaller has received from me all the 
 courtesy that I owe him, ay, and more. You say 
 that through his good offices we shall escape from 
 our difficulties. If I mistake not, twas partly 
 through his good offices that we fell into them. You 
 speak of him as the nobleman whose wife I soon 
 shall be. To that both you and he have had my 
 answer before, and that answer is never do you 
 hear ? Never, my Lord ! " And she turned to Cad- 
 waller and cast at him a glance of unspeakable 
 contempt. 
 
 " Silence, you hussy ! " Sir Alfred choked, purple 
 with rage. " Damnation ! am I. to be ruined by 
 the caprices of a child ? Slife ! you would send me 
 
 47
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 to the block for the sake of a senseless whim. Into 
 the house, now ! I see I must treat you as I should 
 have long since ! " 
 
 I swear before Heaven, had he not been her 
 father, I should have run him through ere he had 
 half finished his abuse ! So, so contemptible a 
 creature for a father ! and her father ! As it was, 
 my hand swept to my hilt by impulse. 
 
 Even Cad waller seemed less a brute, or it may 
 have been his trickery that prompted his apparent 
 kindness. "Nay, nay," he said; "you are too 
 harsh with the maiden, Sir Alfred ! I pray you be 
 more indulgent. They are all alike, ever ready to 
 shy at what is for their good. They must be 
 treated with kindness. Your daughter is but a 
 lass, Sir, and must needs have her fling. Her 
 heart is right, I ll be sworn! Come, old war- 
 horse, you have made her weep, I ll warrant ! Now 
 go after and let her not spoil those pretty eyes." 
 He poked Sir Alfred in the ribs with his thumb, 
 and shoved him gently by the shoulders. 
 
 My position was unenviable. I had no right to 
 interfere between father and daughter, though I was 
 resolved that in the end the daughter should have 
 justice. I was forced, therefore, to say nothing 
 just then, but I ground my teeth and swore within 
 me that I would make her persecutors pay dearly for 
 their work. Sir Alfred was an overbearing old 
 coward and fool, who could put on a mighty daring 
 and insolent front, when he felt sure of strong 
 
 148
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 backing. Lord Cadwaller, I perceived, was a low 
 animal, confident of his power, who was possessed 
 of a cunning of a certain sort, which made him a 
 dangerous opponent. That Sir Alfred was com- 
 pletely under his influence was evident. Together 
 they made a most difficult pair of knaves to 
 manage. . . . And behind all I could see the swarthy 
 shadow of the King. And here was I and Toby 
 to face them all. But with us I felt a great force 
 twas the will of a maiden that no power of evil 
 could shake. I filled with admiration as I thought 
 of the answer she had given her father and this 
 menial of the King. The indignation that was boil 
 ing within my heart made me not inclined to treat 
 his Lordship with great consideration. 
 
 " Now," he said, when Sir Alfred was out of 
 earshot, " we may talk, Sir." 
 
 " Yes, my Lord, I think it well that we should 
 have some little understanding." 
 
 He stroked his jaw thoughtfully, and watched the 
 setting sun for a moment. Then he said : " What 
 say you, Sir? shall we walk or speak within 
 doors ? " 
 
 " Walk." And we started back toward the 
 arbour. 
 
 " Now, Master Everard, in the first place, I must 
 inform you that your services to the King are at an 
 end." He paused and glanced at me, as though 
 expecting some comment ; but I made none. " His 
 Majesty is well pleased, I think, with your work, 
 
 149
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 and will doubtless bo liberal in his reward." Again 
 the Earl paused to watch the effect of his words. 
 " This business has been, from the first to last, no 
 more than a huge misunderstanding, with an attempt 
 by an enemy of Sir Alfred to give the affair an air 
 of gravity. The plans of this malicious person 
 have been defeated, however, and the King has 
 come to see plainly that Sir Alfred has been 
 standing in a false light, cast on him by this other." 
 He walked on in silence, his hands behind him. 
 
 I said nothing, but thought quickly ; and in 
 another moment we reached the arbour. Seating 
 myself carelessly, and crossing my legs, I looked 
 off to the other bank, as usual, and twisted my 
 mustaches in silence ; while his Lordship stood 
 drumming his fingers upon the back of a seat before 
 me. Presently I threw back my head and laughed 
 aloud. Cadwaller started as though I had dealt 
 him a blow, but quickly recovered his self-possession. 
 
 " What the devil ? " said he, and then broke 
 
 off. 
 
 " Zounds, my Lord ! tis amusing, upon my soul ! " 
 
 "What? ah, yes, very. Ha, ha ! " he laughed 
 feebly. Then his face became severe, as though 
 he thought he lacked dignity. 
 
 " Yes, my Lord, is it not strange that every set of 
 conspirators must have its fool, whoever pays the 
 cost?" 
 
 " I fear I understand you not, my man." 
 
 I took no notice of his insulting manner. " For 
 
 150
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 the benefit of your Lordship, then, I shall speak in 
 plainer terms. I say tis strange that every band of 
 conspirators or brigands, if you prefer that name 
 should have its Sir Alfred, who pays the penalty 
 for all." 
 
 He swore most foully. " What the devil do you 
 mean by these riddles ? Sir Alfred a fool, forsooth ! 
 and paying the penalty for all ! You are more 
 madman than knave, Sir, I warrant. But have a 
 care how you insult me. You know not the length 
 of my arm." 
 
 " Bah, my Lord ! you have no arm of your own ! 
 You are but the dog of the King a King Charles 
 spaniel, by Heaven ! and must dance as he 
 fiddles ! Come, come, my Lord, Mistress Gwynne 
 has taught you well, but this acting has no weight 
 with me. Cast it aside. I am in no mood for high 
 words, and may lose patience." 
 
 His sword flew from its scabbard, and calling me 
 a foul name, he stepped forward. 
 
 I sprang to my feet, and a spark flew from our 
 meeting blades. Cadwaller s back was to the stream 
 and as he retreated from my first lunge, he felt the 
 slope of the bank. He swung round with great 
 lightness of foot, that I might not have this advan 
 tage, and by that, I believe, saved my life. For as 
 I turned with him, still engaged, the last gleam of 
 red from the western sky fell upon the hedge, now 
 behind my antagonist. There it was, peering over 
 the sallow, corpse-like face of that devil Julius, A
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 chill ran through me as I beheld it, and the same 
 uncontrollable rage that always came to me when I 
 looked upon this creature, suddenly possessed me. At 
 that moment Cad waller s foot struck against the 
 leg of a seat, and he fell backward to the ground. I 
 sprang toward the hedge, but the face disappeared 
 ere I had taken a step. I peered over, but the 
 gathering shadows made too deep a screen, and I 
 could see but a little way beyond. It was useless to 
 follow, I knew ; and the thought came to me that 
 the Earl might misinterpret my act, were I to leave 
 him without explanation. So I turned again to his 
 Lordship with a mind to let loose my rage upon 
 him. 
 
 He stood with sheathed blade beside the seat that 
 had caused his fall. " I am injured from my acci 
 dent, Master Everard, and am therefore unable to 
 continue our contest. So soon as my arm shall have 
 recovered sufficiently I shall kill you by God, I 
 shall ! " His eyes blazed, and he held his head bent 
 forward, as one that meant his words. Indeed he 
 had a dignity about him, this knave, and was far 
 from being the fool he at times tried to lead one to 
 think him. He cut a fine figure as he stood by the 
 rustic bench, his spotless ruffles and fine plumes 
 giving him an air and a grace not displeasing, even 
 though he was something overdressed. 
 
 u Had I died every time I have been told that, my 
 Lord, I now should be but the faintest fragment of 
 a worn-out ghost, more full of perforations than a
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 pin-cushion," I smiled, my anger subsiding when I 
 saw that he had no intention of renewing our little 
 difference. 
 
 Of course you must not for a moment think that I 
 believed him to be injured in fact, I knew his story 
 to be but a lie, for I had seen him fall fairly upon 
 the soft grass. He had some other reason for thus 
 excusing himself, I knew, but what that reason was, 
 could only be conjectured. What first occurred to 
 me was cowardice ; but if this were true, why had 
 he drawn his blade, knowing, as he doubtless did, my 
 skill in swordsmanship ? No, the fear of being in 
 jured was not the reason. "When he had taken time 
 to think the matter over, during my rush to the 
 hedge, he came to the conclusion that it was foolish 
 to take the risk of spoiling his game, when his pur 
 pose could better be accomplished by strategy. He 
 looked not the coward, but the calculating trickster 
 who was too clever to use force where finesse would 
 accomplish his purpose. 
 
 He looked at me strangely for a little space, and 
 I could see in his eyes that a struggle was taking 
 place within him. As a man experienced in the 
 ways of all kinds of men, I had no great difficulty 
 in reading his new plan. He thought he now knew 
 me and had discovered my weakness. 
 
 " You area brave man, Master Everard," says he 
 very slowly, and with a good shade of admiration in 
 his voice, " but with sad failing. You are over- 
 reckless. Tis a pity that a man of your parts
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 should so disregard his opportunities ! " And his 
 Lordship sighs heavily and seats himself. 
 
 " Faith, my Lord, I miss your meaning," I replied 
 with a great show of interest. 
 
 Ho shook his head and went on, as though more 
 to himself than me. " Brave men always arouse my 
 admiration. But when they are of so careless and 
 independent a disposition that they will quarrel 
 with their own bread, one is tempted to let them 
 take their own course, which is in the end their un 
 doing." lie paused for a moment and stroked his 
 jaw, as was his habit, while I smiled behind my 
 hand and resolved to let him take his own way. 
 " Why," he resumed, " one man is known to me 
 who has in his keeping a thing that s worth a 
 dozen fortunes, yet I ll be sworn he knows not how 
 to extract therefrom the wealth and power that all 
 men so covet. Slife ! tis a pity ! And yet he is 
 possessed of great courage, skill and wit. One can 
 but admire such a man ; but after cool considera 
 tion, he s blamable, yes, upon my soul, tis a waste ! " 
 And the Earl brought down his clenched right hand 
 upon his knee, by way of emphasis. 
 
 " I rejoice to see that your sword-arm has recov 
 ered, my Lord," I smiled. 
 
 " Tis but injured for fence ; for social purposes 
 tis quite sound," he returned carelessly. 
 
 " But this person of whom you speak is there no 
 one that will instruct him as to how he should use 
 this all-powerful knowledge ? " I was leading him on. 
 
 154
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " Twere dangerous, I warrant, to offer him a 
 suggestion. But if I were his friend, I should advise 
 him to hold his secret fast, and not permit a word 
 of it to pass his lips." 
 
 " Zooks ! my Lord, but this must be a most 
 strange secret. You say that with his knowledge 
 he can purchase wealth and power, and yet he may 
 not impart this secret to another. I confess, tis 
 beyond my comprehension." 
 
 The Earl smiled knowingly. Then he faced me, 
 and in a low and confidential tone went on : " You 
 see, this brave and witty, but uncautious, soldier 
 holds a secret that, he thinks, would compromise a 
 person of high standing, who enjoys the friendship 
 of the King, were he to impart this knowledge to 
 his Majesty." 
 
 " Whereas I put in. 
 
 " Precisely. You are a gentleman of perception, 
 as well as of courage, Sir. Whereas, as you say, 
 the King would give the tale no credence ; and, 
 instead of rewarding this most courageous gentle 
 man, would cast him off as the slanderer of his 
 friend." He paused and watched my face anxiously, 
 his long, white fingers stroking his pointed chin 
 slowly, yet uneasily. 
 
 " Granted. What follows ? " 
 
 " Besides thus losing the favour of the King, this 
 gentleman would make an enemy of his Majesty s 
 friend, who, for some time past, has wielded an 
 
 155
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 influence that is in strength the second in the land, 
 an influence ever increasing. 
 
 " Yes, yes, my Lord, but the alternative, this 
 road to wealth -and power? " 
 
 " Ah ! " he smiled, with sparkling eyes, " now 
 we come to a vastly different picture, a picture in 
 colours as bright as those of the other are dark, a 
 canvas of broader dimensions, and one more happy 
 of contemplation." 
 
 I bowed and leaned forward, for he spoke very 
 low and glanced around through the gathering 
 shadows, to make sure that no third person was 
 there. 
 
 " Should this gentleman, this soldier of whom we 
 are speaking, choose another course the alternative, 
 as you say he would still retain the good will of 
 the King, to whom he has rendered faithful service, 
 and besides, make a friend of this nobleman, who 
 otherwise would be his enemy. This, then, opens 
 up a career for the holder of this little secret a 
 career to the possibilities of which there is practically 
 no limitation." 
 
 " You use strong terms, my Lord." 
 
 " Yet not more strong than the ability of the 
 King s friend to fulfil his promises." 
 
 " And the promises? I mean in plain terms." 
 
 " There are many high offices at Court, all of 
 which mean a life of luxury and power. But if the 
 tastes of this soldier should not run in this channel, 
 why then, there are some fine estates within the gift 
 
 156
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 of the Crown. I know of one, at least, that is worth 
 three thousand a year. But I only name this as an 
 example. There are many, very many, alternatives, 
 Master Everard, that one in high favour may take." 
 
 " And would it not seem strange, even to this 
 blunt soldier, that his little secret should be of such 
 worth, my Lord ? Might not the thought occur to 
 him that if it was of so much consequence to the 
 King s friend that this secret should be kept, it must 
 have a power to harm the nobleman, if it should be 
 told ? Then, my Lord, when this curiosity is once 
 aroused, he would doubtless think that the King s 
 friend has some deeper object than lavish generosity 
 in paying so high a price for so little a thing? In 
 other words, he might think that the other has need 
 of his services." 
 
 " Od s fish, Sir ! you are a master of discernment. 
 You have struck the nail upon the head. There is 
 a little service that the King s friend would like to 
 have done him, but tis so small that I had over 
 looked it. Faith, when one comes to examine it 
 closely, it proves to be nothing more than that the 
 soldier will attend to his own business. In other 
 words, as you say, all that is required of him is that 
 he leave the place where he now is, and journey to 
 say London, where he will be pleased to remain 
 for a few days." He leaned back in his seat and 
 watched me through half-closed lids. Then he 
 laughed a little forcedly. " Tis a mighty small 
 condition to attach to so great a reward, upon my 
 
 157
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 soul. I cannot understand any sane man even 
 stopping to consider, especially when its rejec 
 tion means the withdrawal of all reward, and the 
 enmity of the King s friend." lie ended the threat 
 very deliberately, still stroking his chin on every 
 word. 
 
 " And this enmity of the King s friend, what is 
 its consequence ? " 
 
 " In this case, it is equivalent to death." 
 
 " But there are others to whom the secret is 
 known." 
 
 " Quite so ; but those persons for reasons known 
 to me are unable to impart it to another." 
 
 " So this blunt soldier is a person of some im 
 portance ? " 
 
 " You mistake me, Sir. Tis the absence of this 
 courageous gentleman that is of such importance. 
 Quite a different matter, is it not, Sir? And his 
 absence can be assured in two ways." 
 
 The coolness of the scoundrel aroused a kind of 
 admiration within me, an admiration for his 
 daring insolence though at the same time I had to 
 keep a curb on my anger, lest I should break loose 
 and spit the knave as he sat watching me with a 
 smile of careless tolerance, while in his speech he 
 assured me of my fate in case I should not sell my 
 honour to him. 
 
 I sat silent for a moment, then said : " You have 
 told me that my services to the King are at an end. 
 Have you an order from his Ma jest v ? " 
 
 158"
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 He drew forth a packet and handed it to me in 
 silence. 
 
 There was not sufficient light now to read by, so 
 I did not break the seal. 
 
 " You have not yet expressed your opinion as to 
 the opportunities of this soldier, Sir," says the Earl, 
 as I arose and started for the path. 
 
 " No, my Lord ; for there are times when the 
 tongue is too weak for the purpose, and yet we have 
 reasons for not using a sharper instrument. How 
 ever, since you ask, I will say this : If I were the 
 supposed soldier of whom we were speaking, and 
 you should chance to be the other the King s 
 friend, and you were to offer me the rewards you 
 named, and on the same conditions, I should have a 
 great struggle with myself to keep from spitting 
 you for a damned knave, to whom honour is un 
 known." I faced him fairly as I spoke and thrust 
 my jaw within a foot of his, and when I had finished, 
 put my hand upon my hilt, that he might have no 
 excuse for hesitation. 
 
 He stared back at me savagely for a moment, then 
 burst into a mocking laugh. 
 
 " Ha ! ha ! I might have known ! Sir Alfred s not 
 such a fool after all, Sir ! Ha ! ha ! how laughable ! 
 Well, well, you have yourself to thank. I would 
 have saved you, in return for the service you have 
 done me in defeating the plans of Monmouth s 
 puppy Sir Charles Rawley ; but you will not 
 have it so." 
 
 159
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " Yes," I said through clenched teeth, " I defeated 
 the plans of the puppy ; I shall do likewise with 
 those of the dog ! " 
 
 His hand flew to his hilt, but he did not draw. 
 " My arm is not yet sound, Master Brigand. Abide, 
 abide, Sir ; your fate is sealed." 
 
 I kept an eye on him, and side by side we walked 
 toward the house. Then he halted suddenly, turned 
 quickly, and looked back. I did likewise. All was 
 still, and the path clear, though 1 heard a sound as 
 of a stealthy footstep. I well knew what it was, 
 and could picture that death-like face behind the 
 hedge. Then on the other side of the path I heard 
 a rustling sound, which quickly died out in the 
 distance. I twisted my mustaches over it, but could 
 make nothing of it. 
 
 On the last terrace before the house Cadwaller 
 again stopped. " So you are resolved to remain 
 here ? " he asked. 
 
 " Until I have a mind to leave, Master Spaniel." 
 
 He laughed. " Then you will dance at my wed 
 ding ? " he sneered. 
 
 " I make no engagements for the next world. 
 Tis a superstition I have, my Lord." 
 
 His sneer became broader, and his laugh more 
 malicious. " Slife ! " he said slowly, " Sir Alfred 
 has had his eyes open. Ha ! ha ! Bottom, by 
 Heaven ! But remember, Master Bottom, you may 
 play one part only. And for that part you have 
 been cast." 
 
 1 60
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " A dream only a dream, good Spaniel!" 
 " Rot me ! but I will make it a reality." 
 " But in this dream of yours, Master Menial ah, 
 Spaniel, I mean you must lend me your head." 
 
 He was about to make reply, but at that moment 
 Sir Alfred came forth hastily, so the Earl stepped 
 forward to meet him. 
 
 Our host was excited. " Strike me dead, my 
 Lord, but things have come to a pretty pass ! " 
 cried he. 
 
 " How now, Sir Alfred what s amiss ? " 
 " My authority seems to have vanished. Not a 
 trace can I find of my daughter, my Lord. Spit 
 me ! but she defies me past endurance. And both 
 you gentlemen heard me order her to her room ! I 
 trust, my Lord, you will overlook these annoyances 
 for my sake ; but I confess 
 
 Cadwaller burst out a-laughing. " "Why, Sir 
 Alfred, the lass is but playing a sly trick ! .There, 
 she but now stepped back from that window. Come, 
 come, Sir Alfred, you must not take a maiden with 
 too great a seriousness." 
 
 " Ah ! " sighed Sir Alfred, as he hooked his arm 
 into that of his Lordship, " I shall feel relieved of a 
 great responsibility when all is settled, my Lord. Not 
 because I have no love for my daughter think not 
 that for a moment quite the contrary, I assure 
 you ; but, you see, she understands not the gravity 
 of my position, and consequently she keeps me in a 
 state of great anxiety, lest some of her caprices 
 II 161
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 should not be interpreted aright by you, my 
 Lord." 
 
 " Ha ! ha ! have no fear, ray dear Sir Alfred. 
 Faith, I understand women." 
 
 " And rats, my Lord ? " I put in. 
 
 " Now damn you ! your insolence is unbearable \ " 
 he cried, starting to draw. 
 
 " Nay, nay, my Lord ! " put in Sir Alfred. " No 
 quarreling now ! " Then he whispered something in 
 the other s ear. " And you, Master Everard, be at 
 peace with his Lordship. Come, we all must be 
 good friends to-night, for Master Everard leaves us 
 in the morning, I hear." 
 
 " You shall have time to bid me adieu, Sir," I 
 shrugged, and strolled into the house. 
 
 162
 
 CHAPTEE X. 
 
 IN the hall I broke the seal of the parchment 
 given me by the Earl, and read. Twas a royal 
 command, which ordered me to release the persons 
 of Sir Alfred Heron and his daughter from arrest, 
 to betake myself to London, where I should report 
 to the King at Whitehall, after his return from 
 Dover. 
 
 " Dover ! " I muttered. " So the King already is 
 at Dover ! " Then I again looked at the date, and 
 noticed that the order was four days old. " Ha ! 
 why this delay ? " I wondered. " Strange that so 
 determined a villain as Cad waller would delay after 
 having the King s order. "Well, well, there must be 
 a reason. . . . What? I wonder what?" I refolded 
 the order and put it in my pocket, turned and 
 faced Mistress Heron, who stood watching me with 
 anxious eyes. 
 
 "What is it? she almost whispered, glancing 
 toward the door apprehensively. 
 
 " An order from the King, which bids me to re 
 lease my prisoners and betake myself to London. 
 Tis dated at Dover, four days since." 
 
 " Quick in here." She led the way into the 
 room in which the stormy conversation between Sir 
 
 163
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 Alfred and her, on the morning Sir Charles returned 
 to London, had taken place. She crossed to the 
 window and peeped out. "They still are talking. 
 Now, why did you fight him ? " 
 
 " Fight him ? when ? " I puzzled. 
 
 She shook her finger at me. " Come, be truthful. 
 Why did you fight him ? " 
 
 / / 
 
 I twisted my mustaches perplexedly, wondering 
 what she could know of it. 
 
 " I have not had time to speak to Julius," she 
 smiled. 
 
 "But how ?" 
 
 "Yes, yes, I saw and heard all, Sir. And I had 
 asked you not to quarrel with him ! " she reproved. 
 
 " So that was the rustling I heard when return 
 
 " Yes. I feared that something of the kind 
 would happen, so I followed. Ah ! you are incor 
 rigible." She sighed, but smiled as she turned 
 away. 
 
 " But I merely defended myself." 
 
 " A school-boy s excuse ! " she mocked. " But, I 
 confess, I enjoyed it." 
 
 " And I too, though I lost my temper at the 
 last." 
 
 She smiled, then became grave with the next 
 breath. " But what do you intend to do ? " 
 
 " When ? " 
 
 " Now, Sir, now ! I mean about going to Lon. 
 don," 
 
 164
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " Well, Madam, I have not yet even thought of 
 it." 
 
 " But but will you go ? " Her voice faltered a 
 little. 
 
 " Only when you command." 
 
 " But the King ? " 
 
 " The King is occupied at Dover." 
 
 " Yes, yes ; but his order ? " 
 
 " Were he here, I should feel inclined to send the 
 same message to him as I sent to the Earl." 
 
 Her face showed great anxiety, but when I said 
 this, she half laughed. 
 
 " But tell me," she said, after a moment s pause, 
 " why you frown so. Have I have I displeased 
 you ?"" 
 
 " No, no, Madam far from it ! You could not 
 displease me! You you No, you have not dis 
 pleased me." I broke off abruptly and strode to the 
 window. 
 
 They still were talking, but as I looked they 
 slowly started toward the door. 
 
 I turned to the lady. " Kemember, Madam, what 
 I already have said : shovr no sign that will tell this 
 knave that you fear him." 
 
 " No," she replied bravely, though she did not 
 look at me. 
 
 " And when you have entered your chamber to 
 night, lock the door, and open to none not even 
 to your father or your maid until morning." 
 
 " No." 
 
 165
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " I expect no danger to-night, Madam ; but tis 
 well to take every precaution." 
 
 " Yes." She looked up for an instant, then, as I 
 passed into the hall, she turned to the window. 
 
 I scarcely had time to hasten to a chair beside 
 the table and assume a careless attitude, when they 
 entered, still talking confidentially. 
 
 Sir Alfred seemed surprised to find me there, but 
 the Earl passed on with scarce a look, and started 
 up the stairs. At the first landing he turned. " I 
 shall be ready in a moment, Sir Alfred," he said. 
 
 " Very well, my Lord," the other returned, 
 bowing and rubbing one hand over the other. 
 
 I could hear our host giving orders for the serving 
 of supper. 
 
 A few moments later, when I stepped forth from 
 my room, I came face to face with his Lordship. 
 
 " Did you read the King s command ? " he asked, 
 civilly enough. 
 
 " I did." 
 
 " And ? " he questioned. 
 
 " Tis something old in date, my Lord." 
 
 I watched the effect of my words. He looked 
 uneasy, I ll be sworn ; but he was too clever a knave 
 to reveal much by his expression. 
 
 " Yes ? " he sneered. 
 
 " Yes, my Lord ; and will need repeating ere I 
 take the responsibility of acting on it." 
 
 " And may I ask why ? " 
 
 " Circumstances may have changed since twas 
 
 166
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 written, my Lord. " Yea, I ll be sworn they have 
 changed." 
 
 " You are very vague, Sir." 
 
 " You see, my Lord, there are many hands in this 
 game; the stakes are considerable ; the play rapid." 
 
 " I do not follow you, my dear Sir." 
 
 " No ? Well, to be brief, one cannot run the 
 chance of staking on an old deal. I have lost the 
 fire of extreme youth, so play with a quiet caution." 
 
 " You play a fool s game, Sir, and speak in 
 riddles." 
 
 " You hold a hand in the game, my Lord." 
 
 He shrugged his shoulders ; and together we went 
 down the stairs to supper. 
 
 As we reached the lower hall, Sir Alfred and his 
 daughter came forth from the room in which I 
 had left her. The face of the former was flushed 
 and angry, of the latter, pale and determined. 
 But at the sight of the Earl, Sir Alfred mastered 
 his anger, and, smiling and bowing, led the way to 
 the supper-room. 
 
 Twas a strange company we made. The Earl 
 tried to ignore all that had passed, but there was an 
 anxiety and restlessness about him that I had not 
 observed before ; and after several fruitless attempts 
 to start a conversation with Mistress Heron, he 
 lapsed into a sullen silence, from which even 
 our host s attempts at wit could not draw him. Sir 
 Alfred was embarrassed by the manner of his 
 Lordship, and soon, followed the other s example. 
 
 167
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 This made the quartette almost speechless; for 
 Mistress Heron and I said barely a word from first 
 to last she ignoring all remarks addressed to her, 
 and I keeping silent that I might the better form 
 my plans. Doubtless the Earl had a reason similar 
 to my o\vn, for several times I caught him looking 
 intently at me from under his brows, with a sort 
 of puzzled expression. 
 
 " It seems as though I made a good guess when 
 I suggested that circumstances have changed since 
 the King s order was dated," I thought. " What, 
 what, I wonder, is taking place at Dover. Some 
 thing that does not please the King s friend over 
 well, I warrant." Then the Little Duke came to 
 my mind. " His Lordship seems to lack confidence 
 in something. I wonder if he fears that Monmouth 
 will succeed in overthrowing him, during his 
 absence. That order, four days old. . . . Ha ! 
 something very urgent prevented his delivering it. 
 Now, what that something was must be discovered. 
 But how how ? Ha ! I must ask the Little Duke. 
 I now regret that I offended him that night at the 
 inn. And there is Sir Charles, too, his man, my 
 enemy. Yes, yes, I must see Monmouth, and he 
 will explain these mysteries to me. And if he will 
 not ah ! why then, he must. I see now the 
 Earl is uneasy ; wherefore he will not wish to be 
 long separated from the King. I must act the 
 quicker, then. I first shall talk with this old fool 
 which I know will be useless, then I must move 
 
 168
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 quickly. Ha! ha! my Lord, I believe you have 
 betrayed yourself, just by that uneasiness over so 
 little a thing as the date of an order. Zooks ! 
 you are a handsome knave. Now, if I had that 
 
 face, without the sneer, I might " I broke off my 
 
 musing, for for my mind was running away from 
 the plan I was forming. 
 
 As we rose from the table, Sir Alfred, after- 
 a glance at me, turned to his daughter and 
 said sternly : " You will kindly withdraw now 
 to your room, and will not again leave it to 
 night." 
 
 She bit her lip at the insult, but turned without 
 a word and did as directed. 
 
 Cadwaller looked inquiringly at Sir Alfred ; the 
 other nodded, and the two started toward the hall, 
 giving me no more attention than if I had not 
 existed. 
 
 " Sir Alfred," I said, as they reached the door. 
 
 He stopped and looked back with insulting sur 
 prise, and answered nothing. 
 
 " I must speak with you," I added. 
 
 He whispered something to Cadwaller, then 
 turned back with a look of impatience. 
 
 I stepped to the door and closed it behind his 
 Lordship, then went to the other, which I opened, 
 to see that no servant was near. After again closing 
 this, I turned to my unwilling host. 
 
 " Sir Alfred," I said quietly, " I intend ,to speak 
 to you in very plain terms," 
 
 169
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " Tis a habit you have, Sir, and springs from 
 your ignorance/ he answered roughly. 
 
 " Be that as it may, Sir, so I shall speak to 
 you." 
 
 Then make haste, and presume not too far on my 
 patience." Sir Alfred had discovered a great cour 
 age since his Lordship s arrival. 
 
 " I have heard you say twice tha,t your daughter 
 shall be married to Lord Cadwaller, and yet she de 
 tests him, and has assured you that she never will 
 consent to the alliance." 
 
 " You accursed meddler ! " he cried, " do you ex 
 pect me to listen to such presumption ? " He made 
 a move as though to pass me. 
 
 "Wait, Sir Alfred," I said quietly, but firmly, 
 at the same time stepping directly in front of him; 
 " you shall hear what I have to say. When I have 
 done, you may leave at your pleasure." 
 
 " Oh, indeed ! may I ? How very kind ! " 
 
 " That depends upon your then intentions. It 
 may prove to be a cruelty." 
 
 He looked as though he might explode with in 
 dignation ; but he did nothing but take snuff im 
 patiently. 
 
 " Now, Sir Alfred," I continued, " I gave you 
 credit for taking the course that you have taken, 
 partly through ignorance of what your daughter s 
 fate will be in case you succeed in carrying out your 
 base proposal." 
 
 I 7
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 He seemed ready to fall down in a fit from anger, 
 but he stood still, glaring at me with bulging eyes, 
 his nostrils expanded like those of a war-horse. 
 
 " Come, Sir, I shall show you that which evidently 
 has escaped your eye in this much mixed matter. In 
 the first place, you became alarmed because of the 
 King s attentions to your daughter. You resolved 
 that she should leave the Court, but feared the King s 
 strong opposition. The Duke of Monmouth, for 
 reasons that are best known to himself, came to your 
 rescue. He proposed the abduction, and Lord Cad- 
 waller most kindly consented to assist you. But many 
 other plots and counterplots were working, but into 
 these we need not go, as their work is now accom 
 plished, and their results are sufficient to require all 
 my attention." 
 
 " You are tiresome, Sir, and only show me how far 
 my daughter has- fallen, when she takes a common ad 
 venturer into her confidence." His voice shook with 
 rage, but he spoke in low tones, as though he did not 
 wish the Earl to overhear what he said. 
 
 " Xow, Sir, I wish you to follow me closely. You 
 consider your daughter s honour in danger because 
 of the King. Lord Cadwaller is the King s most 
 ^ntimate friend you follow me, Sir ? and you 
 would marry your daughter to his Lordship." 
 
 The door behind me opened ; I turned ; there stood 
 the Earl upon the threshold, an evil smile about his 
 lips. 
 
 171
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " You are ,too patient, Sir Alfred," he said, as he 
 entered and closed the door. u Faith, the head of 
 this fellow has been turned by your consideration. 
 Give him but another day, and he ll say wha.t changes 
 he desires to be made in your household. Od s fish ! 
 he s so sure of his ownership here that one knows not 
 what next to expect. Tell me, Sir Alfred, which 
 of you gentlemen is now my host I would know to 
 whom I m indebted for my entertainment." And he 
 took a step back and bowed deeply to me. 
 
 Sir Alfred stood speechless. He glared unspeak 
 able hate at me; and when Cadwaller spoke, he 
 seemed to hear him not. His face was purple, the 
 veins of his neck and temples stood out like whip 
 cords, and his hand clutched at his band to relieve 
 the strain. I feared for his life, so stepped to a 
 window and swung it open. As I did so, the sound 
 of the bell at the porter s lodge quivered very faintly 
 on the night. I glanced quickly at the Earl and Sir 
 Alfred, bu,t no sign did either show of having heard 
 it. The former was staring fixedly at the latter, who 
 still stood holding his band from his short, thick neck. 
 Then our host put his hand to his head, and moved 
 unsteadily to the door. 
 
 " Come, my Lord, come with me," he muttered 
 Together they passed out, crossed the hall, and en 
 tered the room from which he and his daughter had 
 come forth to supper. 
 
 There was no sound from beyond this door for 
 
 172
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 some moments, .then the heavy, uneven step that I 
 knew to be Sir Alfred s began pacing back and forth. 
 I listened for the sound of voices, but they did not 
 come. Then I remembered the bell. It seemed to 
 carry in its mystic voice a message mayhap a 
 threat. I went up the stairs quietly and got my hat. 
 Returning, I halted by the door of the room in which 
 the two knaves were. Sir Alfred was talking ex 
 citedly, in short and broken sentences, interrupted 
 by the soft, insinuating voice of Cadwaller. Their 
 words were killed by the heavy door twas but a 
 murmur I heard. 
 
 " And now, to be the first to greet the late visitor," 
 I muttered, and stepped forth into the bright moon 
 light. 
 
 173
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 
 AT the branch in the main drive I halted and 
 listened. No sound came from the direction of the 
 gates. " Strange," I thought, " They have had 
 ample .time to come the distance, if they were ad 
 mitted. If they did not get in, the bell would have 
 told me." Again I listened carefully. This time 
 I thought I heard a sound as of a horse s feet upon 
 the bridge. Yes, there it was, very faint, coming 
 from the right through the trees as a whisper. I 
 turned from the path and started toward the little 
 bridge at which Mistress Heron fed her fishes. 
 Twas necessary to go with great caution, for evi 
 dently the visitor was attemptng to escape observation, 
 or he would not have chosen so indirect a path. As 
 I approached the bridge, I stopped several times and 
 strained my ears to catch a sound. Not the faintest 
 movement could I hear. I stepped into the little 
 path and, stooping, searched for a footprint. By 
 the moonlight one could see almost as distinctly as 
 by day. . . . There in the fine gravel were the marks 
 of the horse s feet, I tried to follow them, but the 
 shadows thrown by the trees across the path made this 
 
 174
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 impossible. I calculated the time since I had heard 
 him upon the bridge. To me it seemed about five 
 minutes. " Very well," I muttered, " in five 
 minutes he could reach the house. He is there 
 now. ..." I started up the path. I had taken but a 
 score of paces, when a small bird came fluttering un 
 certainly toward me, dodging from one side to the 
 other, searching in the unaccustomed light for a safe 
 hiding-place. It flew almost against me then, with 
 a little squeak, swung gracefully into the protecting 
 leaves of a bush at the path-side. 
 
 " Ha ! my little friend, so you are frightened." 
 I stopped and glanced around. " ISTow, what could 
 have alarmed you so greatly ? "Tis late, I swear, for 
 you sail thus abroad. And ,tis but this moment 
 you were awakened so rudely, for you would not 
 travel far, methinks, in this strange, mystic light." 
 Another flutter of wings, and a second little feathered 
 thing dived into the bushes at the other side. 
 " Zooks ! I must be a great attraction, my friends. 
 Another, and yet another ! What ! do you still come ? 
 Oh, ho! there must be some campaign against you. 
 Very well; just step under my wing, and fear 
 nothing. I soon shall be called ,the father of Kent. 
 Zounds ! I seem to be the only man here not bent on 
 destruction. Your hands seem determined to be full 
 of trouble, Mark Everard ; even the birds fly to you 
 for safety. You have not enough to look after al 
 ready, but you needs must find more. Trouble! 
 
 175
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 Ha! ha! I like it tis my life. But this time it is 
 different. It hurts, this time it hurts." 
 
 I walked on with bowed head, forgetful of the 
 birds. There was a subtle something somewhere 
 it seemed in the air, or the moonbeams that brought 
 a strange, half-sadness to me. Twas something of 
 the na,ture of the gloomy spells that had laid hold on 
 me since I had come to Heron Hall; but not so 
 melancholy it had a strange sweetness about it that 
 made me not wish to shake it off. I soon was lost 
 completely in my thoughts. The incident of the 
 frightened birds, which I had resolved to trace to its 
 source, was forgotten. I wandered aimlessly on, my 
 hands behind me, and my eyes fixed on the little, 
 winding strip of gravel. Sometimes I stopped to 
 stare off through the moonlight, or to gasp in the cool, 
 pure, flower-scented air; sometimes I halted by a 
 bush of blooms, and scattered petals on the ground, 
 with thoughts far from my occupation. And all the 
 while my mind ran on through unaccustomed dreams. 
 There was some strange spell upon me a spell of 
 peace and good-will. Twas a witchery of the night. 
 Twas soft and calm and sweet. But somewhere in 
 it was a taste of gall a subtle something that gnaw r ed 
 most slyly at the heart, and made the throat to ache. 
 Twas a great calm storm a meeting of opposing 
 forces, that made no move, for each endured the 
 strain. Within me twas as the night without a 
 grand stillness, that throbbed wi,th some unknown 
 and pent-up force. 
 
 176
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 How long my dream lasted, I cannot tell, but it 
 must have been some considerable time, for when I 
 awoke the moon was muc h farther up the sky than 
 when I had stood by the little bridge. I was stand 
 ing with my back against a tree, and gazing at a 
 window on the second floor of the house. The cur 
 tain was raised, and I imagined nay, I was sure 
 I saw a small, white face looking out into the moon 
 light. It moved a little, once or twice, as though 
 changing the resting-place of the chin from one hand 
 to the other. Then the face vanished, and it was 
 a,t this moment I awakened with a hand upon my 
 shoulder. 
 
 " Hush, Sir ! " whispered a familiar voice in my 
 ear. 
 
 "What is it?" 
 
 " Step back into the shadows more, Sir, and be 
 very quiet, they are but a few yards away." 
 
 Holding my scabbard close to my side, that it 
 might not knock against anything, I followed Toby 
 to where scarcely a moonbeam could struggle through 
 the foliage. As I tiptoed after the little man, the 
 memory of the ga,te-bell, the horse crossing the bridge, 
 and the frightened birds, came to me as a shock, and 
 I stood a moment scratching my head and inwardly 
 cursing myself for my lunacy. Such a piece of gross 
 carelessness never had happened before. " You are 
 mad, Mark Everard, you have lost what little brains 
 you ever had," I muttered angrily. " How many 
 
 13 177
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 times is Toby to catch you in the act of making a fool 
 of yourself ? This is the third." I pulled my mus 
 taches in annoyance, and glared at my companion in 
 the darkness and made no doubt that in his sleeve 
 he was laughing at me. 
 
 "" Who is it ? " I whispered presently. 
 " I don t know for a certainty, Sir, I was just get 
 ting within earshot of them when I spied you, Sir. 
 I feared they also might see you, so I stole round 
 them and came to where you stood." 
 " How did you chance ,to see them ? " 
 " Julius came to the door of the men s room and, 
 after taking quite a time to waken them without dis 
 turbing my dreams, got admittance. I hadn t un 
 dressed yet, Sir, so was ready and waiting to follow so 
 soon as they left. Well, Sir, pretty soon the door 
 opened very quietly, and two of them tiptoed down 
 the hall. They took an awful time to pass my door 
 and to get to the other end of the passage. So soon 
 as they had gone down the stairs, I followed, with my 
 boots in my hand. I waited at the door until .they 
 entered the shade of the trees, and then followed." 
 " Who went out with that toad Julius ? " 
 u I m no,t sure which one of the men, Sir, but I 
 think from his walk it was Detiton." 
 " Yes, yes ; and where did they go ? " 
 " I had some trouble to follow them, Sir, without 
 being seen. I lost them once or twice, and at last 
 i^earlv stumbled over them. They were talking to 
 
 I 7 8
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 someone else ; but as I was creeping nearer, the 
 stranger said something to Julius, and he crawled 
 away toward the little bridge, you know, Sir, where 
 we went the first morning." 
 
 I tried to get a look at Toby s face, but the shadows 
 were too deep. 
 
 " Yes, Julius sneaked off and then ? " I asked, a 
 little impatiently. 
 
 " Oh, yes, Sir. Then Denton and the stranger 
 went on talking in almost whispers, and I was just 
 getting near enough to catch a word here and there, 
 when I saw you, Sir, walking back and forth near the 
 edge of the trees. I feared they would see you, Sir, 
 so when I saw you lean against the tree, and start 
 looking at the house 
 
 " Yes, yes, Toby I know the rest," I broke in. 
 
 " Yes, Sir of course, Sir." He pulled his hat a 
 little over his eyes. 
 
 " Xow where are they ? " 
 
 " Yonder, Sir about three score yards from 
 here." 
 
 " Lead on, then." 
 
 We took about a score of paces, then I halted Toby 
 and, after getting from him the exact position in 
 which this mysterious stranger and Denton were con 
 versing, directed him to take a circuitous route, that 
 ho might approach them from theoppositeside. With 
 out this precaution, .there was a danger of their 
 making off at the first sound. I allowed Toby what 
 
 179
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 I considered sufficient time to get into position, then 
 proceeded cautiously in the direction indicated. 
 From tree to tree I glided, keeping in the shadows as 
 much as possible, when compelled to cross an open 
 space. At every stop I listened for the sound of 
 voices. I counted every step, that I might not pass 
 them in the darkness. 
 
 " There," I said at last, " but twenty paces more, 
 according to Toby s calculations, which usually are 
 about right." 
 
 I listened breathlessly for a moment. Not a 
 sound. Then, after peering into the shadows in all 
 directions, and seeing nothing, I tiptoed softly to the 
 shade of a large tree some half-dozen yards ahead. 
 
 " There must be no ifs about it. I say he must not 
 be permitted to leave." The voice was raised in 
 anger, though still under some restraint. 
 
 The reply reached me as a murmur. 
 
 " That is your affair, Denton," the first speaker 
 continued. " The coach. . . . Horses. . . . Any 
 way you can. . . . Must be detained." 
 
 " Xow I wonder if I figure in your plans, Sir," I 
 thought, working my way a little nearer. 
 
 They were but ten paces from me when I halted 
 this time. T could see their forms plainly, as they 
 stood beneath a great tree, for on the other side a 
 great pa.tch of moonlight lay upon the grass, against 
 which they stood out darkly. 
 
 1 80
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " Hark ! what was that ? " They stood listening a 
 moment. 
 
 " I think twas a bird, Sir." 
 
 Silence again. 
 
 " Well, I have told you all, I think. Make sure 
 that you are not seen when you return to your room. 
 That little devil, Toby, is a sly one, and tis im 
 possible to say how Everard would act, were he to dis 
 cover our object. I must now be off. Remember, 
 detain him as long as possible. You shall hear from 
 me soon." 
 
 He started to cross the patch of moonlight. In the 
 centre he stopped, drew out his timepiece, and turned 
 so that the light fell upon i.t. 
 
 " Eleven," he said, as though to himself. " Two 
 hours to Dover. Get back to bed, Denton ; you may 
 have to be stirring early. Good-night, my man, 
 and remember what I have told you." He gave his 
 hat a li.ttle jerk forward and strode off. 
 
 I whistled sharply. The man, with an exclama 
 tion, sprang back a little and drew his sword. A,t the 
 same instant an oath rolled out at the other side of 
 the moonlight. Then came a gruff " Drop that ! " 
 from Toby, followed immediately by the click of 
 angry steel. 
 
 " Don t hurt him, Toby ! " I shouted, stepping 
 from my concealment. 
 
 " Oh, no, Sir ! we re only playing, Sir. The 
 gentleman wants exercise," he laughed. 
 
 181
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 Dcnton sprang forward and lunged. Zooks! the 
 fellow almost had me, for I was giving more heed to 
 Tobv and Sir Charles than to my antagonist. Faith, 
 1 had not drawn when his blade shot past me as I 
 sprang aside. 
 
 " Slife! would you draw steel against your officer, 
 then ? Sheath that sword, or I ll spit you ! " 
 
 His reply was another lunge, more vicious than the 
 first. I put it aside, slid my hilt against his, that 
 he could not disengage, and dealt him a heavy blow 
 under the ear with my left fist. He was a stout 
 fellow, and did not go down, but he staggered back 
 a few steps, half-stunned, his point upon the ground. 
 Ere he could recover, I knocked his blade from his 
 hand. 
 
 " I ve a mind ,to carve you as I would a capon ! " I 
 said. " Is there no loyalty in your stupid head ? 
 Did you not know me ? " I wished to leave him an 
 excuse. 
 
 " Oh ! your pardon, Sir. I didn t know you, I 
 I thought it was someone else ,the the Earl/ he 
 stammered. 
 
 A man of resource, upon my soul ! was this Den ton. 
 Doubtless he knew my hatred of Cadwaller, and so 
 took occasion to profit by it. 
 
 I said nothing further, but turned to watch Sir 
 Charles and his agile little adversary. Deixton fol 
 lowed my example, but held his hand to his jaw the 
 while. 
 
 182
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " Be sure not to injure him, Toby," I again cau 
 tioned, as I saw how hot was the pace. 
 
 " No, Sir ; we ve tips on our foils, Sir," he 
 chuckled. 
 
 Sir Charles handled his blade as one well taught. 
 His thrusts and guards were too regular and ma 
 chine-like, however, for they bespoke the apt pupil 
 rather than the master of the steel. Had he been 
 opposed to an ordinarily good swordsman, he could 
 more than have held his own yea, much more ; but 
 with Toby he was as a child agains.t a giant, the 
 little man but played with him. Toby fought with 
 an ease and seeming carelessness that can be acquired 
 only by years of experience and an independent 
 mind. Twas mechanical art opposed to a perfect 
 art that had become a habit more than a thing con 
 trolled by a rule or reason. Sir Charles was fight 
 ing to save himself from humiliation at the hand of a 
 presuming servant. Toby fought for the pure love 
 of fighting. To him twas but a splendid diversion 
 after long days of inactivity. As he fought he 
 laughed and made most ludicrous remarks that 
 seemed to drive the other to madness. He was hav 
 ing such sport that I had not the heart to interfere, 
 for I had no love for Sir Charles, and made no doubt 
 that a piece lopped off his dignity would be. more 
 improvement than loss. 
 
 " Ha ! ha ! well done ! but a little Into ! Yes, that 
 was better, but too low ! \ 7 ery bad indeed, Sir ! If 
 
 183
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 you leave another opening like that, I must take ad 
 vantage of it, Sir ! Ha ! ha ! " he laughed, as their 
 hilts crashed above .their heads, " too savage and 
 AA ild ! Your point went straight through a poor 
 moonbeam ! " 
 
 Sir Charles swore through his teeth, then flung 
 his hat behind him, and re-engaged with redoubled 
 fury. 
 
 " Now, now, you must not be so reckless, Sir ! 
 You may hurt yourself despite me ! " Toby gave 
 ground, that he might not be forced to draw blood. 
 " That was very wrong, Sir ; you should have 
 doubled ! Always remember, Sir, a double is a very 
 good thing. Now, now, you really must keep back, 
 or you shall impale yourself! There! so I told 
 you ! You see, if I hadn t raised my point, you now 
 should be gasping for Heaven ! " 
 
 I now saw the necessity of stopping .the play, for 
 the pace was so furious that, as Toby said, the 
 Baronet was running a great chance of being 
 wounded, simply because his rage had robbed him of 
 any reason he might at other times have possessed. 
 
 " Come, Sir," I said, approaching, " stop this at 
 once ! " 
 
 Sir Charles in reply gasped ou.t an oath. 
 
 " Then disarm him, Toby, if he knows not when 
 he is beaten." 
 
 A second later a sword struck the ground at my 
 feet, and the Baronet stood glaring at Toby, his 
 
 184
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 shoulders rising and falling quickly, as he gasped 
 for breath. Toby s sword was in its scabbard, his 
 heels together and his hand at his side, head erect 
 and soldierly, with nothing in his appearance that 
 would suggest the recent encounter. 
 
 " Well, Sir Charles, so we meet again, as you 
 said ; but I m surprised at your apparent haste ,to 
 leave. Why, why so warlike? Do you come from 
 the King this time, or from from his Grace ? By 
 your actions I should take it to be the latter. Come, 
 declare yourself ! Friend or foe ? " 
 
 He glanced around until his eye fell upon Den- 
 ton. " Oh ! so you are a prisoner, ,too, my friend," 
 he said. Then he again turned to me. " I come 
 to-night as neither friend nor foe of yours, Master 
 Everard, and therefore cannot understand your con 
 duct in spying upon me and committing this great 
 outrage." 
 
 " There has been no outrage, Sir. An unknown 
 person came secretly to this place, which I am guard 
 ing, and held a conference with one of my men. 
 The stranger was challenged ; he drew against the 
 sentry, was overpowered and asked to explain his 
 presence. Quite simple, you see, and far from out 
 rage." 
 
 The words I had overheard : " He must not bo 
 permitted to leave. . . . Coach. . . . Horses. . . . 
 Any way you can," ran quickly through my mind. 
 Looking at them now, since he had said he came as 
 
 185
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 neither friend nor foe of mine, I thought I under 
 stood them. 
 
 u Toby, return Sir Charles Rawley his sword, and 
 you and this man withdraw until I call you," I 
 said, after a few moments of silence. 
 
 When they were gone Sir Charles picked up his 
 hat and stood facing me, his manner suggesting de 
 fiance. 
 
 " Xow, Sir Charles, if you are not my enemy, 
 will you explain your presence ? " 
 
 " I did not say I was not your enemy," he re 
 plied bluntly. " I did not come here to-night as 
 your enemy, was w r hat I told you." 
 
 " Quite so ; but that has no bearing on the ques 
 tion. I ask you, if you did not come as my enemy, 
 what is your reason for all this mystery ? " 
 
 " Why should I take you into my confidence, after 
 you have insulted me by every means within your 
 power ? " I could see by the way he spoke that at 
 heart he wished to tell me the secret. 
 
 " Because you are a gentleman of good under 
 standing, to be sure, Sir Charles. If your plans 
 are not meant to oppose mine, you have the chance 
 of securing a good ally, and whether I undertake to 
 co-operate with you or not, you assure yourself of 
 your liberty. Two very excellent reasons for your 
 confidence, are they not, my dear Sir Charles ? " 
 
 He remained silent a moment longer, then came a 
 little nearer and said : " After consideration, I can 
 
 186
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 see no reason you should have for opposing me. 
 You see, Sir, there are many forces at work, of which 
 you know nothing." He looked very wise, and 
 paused to let me realise my insignificance. 
 
 " Doubtless there are many, as you say." I tried 
 to look a little awed. 
 
 " Of course you have discovered that Sir Alfred 
 has been used as a blind to hide a deeper game. You 
 saw that before I returned to London." 
 
 I nodded. 
 
 " You mistook the part that I was playing. You 
 thought me to be in league with Cadwaller, did you 
 not?" 
 
 " I had not then decided, but knew you were op 
 posed to the interests of Sir Alfred." 
 
 " Quite so, though, remember, I have no ill-will for 
 Sir Alfred personally. He was but an obstacle in 
 my path." He straightened himself and again 
 paused for effect. 
 
 I smiled in the shadow of my hat, and said nothing. 
 
 " Well, Sir, there was a real plot to abduct the 
 Queen ; and in that plot even Lord Cadwaller played 
 but a secondary part." His voice here dropped to 
 a whisper. " There were men behind it that prac 
 tically rule England. But remember, Sir, the King 
 had naught to do with it. He has faults, but he 
 never would stoop to such injustice. I am not per 
 mitted to divulge their names yet, and they may 
 never be made public, or the crime brought home to 
 
 187
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 the ringleaders, for they have seen to it that their 
 tracks are well covered. But with Oadwaller tis 
 different, I think. There is a chance tis only a 
 chance that evidence may be produced that will 
 convince the King of his guilt. His greatest ene 
 mies my friends are working against him with 
 all their power. But he has so great an influence 
 with the King that tis desirable to keep him from 
 Dover so long as is possible. Twas this I told Den- 
 ton. Yes, if he can be detained here for a few days 
 longer, there is a chance of his overthrow; for the 
 King soon can forget, especially in such company as 
 he has at Dover." 
 
 " And these men, are they trusty ? " 
 
 " Perfectly. If I tell Denton to obey your or 
 ders, they will do so." 
 
 " I overheard you say to him something about a 
 coach and horses. What was it ? " 
 
 " I told him to tamper with the coach, so that it 
 would break down, or with the horses, that he can 
 not ride, to do anything that will prevent .the Earl 
 from travelling." 
 
 " Ah, yes ; but his Lordship looks like a man that 
 would be hard to defeat in cunning. Does he know 
 of this attraction at Dover that may rob him of the 
 King s favour?" 
 
 " Oh, yes, and fully realises his danger ! Sun, 
 strike me! but he almost feared to leave the King s 
 side to come here, I ll warrant." 
 
 1 88
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " And the attraction, what is it ? " 
 
 Sir Charles laughed. " That that always attracts 
 the King most a woman." 
 
 " Ah, a new one ! When did she come upon the 
 scene ? " 
 
 " But four days since. She is in the train of the 
 King s sister, the Duchess of Orleans that is, she 
 came in the train of the Duchess." 
 
 "Oh, ho! I see!" 
 
 " A gift right royal, upon my soul ! " he laughed. 
 
 " Four days since she came, you say ? " 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 I twisted my mustaches in silence for a moment. 
 What Sir Charles told me fitted in nicely with the 
 King s order, four days old. It explained also the 
 anxiety on the part of the Earl to make sure that I 
 should offer him no opposition. Before this, I had 
 thought it strange that one so secure in the King s 
 favour should think it necessary that I should keep 
 close silence. He saw his danger and realised that 
 no time could be spared for the overcoming of nny 
 opposition I might make. But now he knew I could 
 not bo bought. His every moment was precious. 
 It was evident he would lose no time in defeating 
 me. I must be more than ever on my guard his 
 Lordship would force the pace. 
 
 " From what I have said," resumed Sir Charles, 
 " it must be clear to you that Cadwaller a strongest 
 chance of defeating us lies in the speed with which 
 
 189
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 lie returns Mistress Heron to the Court. He lias 
 gained Sir Alfred s pardon from the King. With 
 this he will buy the daughter, and with the daughter 
 he will repurchase any prestige he may lose during 
 his absence." 
 
 " Oh, will he i " I thought, and ground an oath 
 between my teeth. Aloud I said : " But what ob 
 ject have I in defeating the plans of the Earl ? " 
 
 He looked uneasy for a moment. " I believe you 
 have an object, Master Everard," he said, then 
 laughed lightly. 
 
 I watched him, but he only smiled knowingly, and 
 took a pinch of snuff. His manner brought to my 
 mind another strange thing. 
 
 " And how comes it, Sir Charles, that you have 
 no fear that that fellow Julius will betray you ? " 
 
 He looked embarrassed, took another pinch of 
 snuff, and then, deciding on his course, laughed soft 
 ly. " I thought you were missing that point. You 
 are right I have a suspicion of your object, and 
 have no fear that Julius will betray me. I may say 
 no more, but I think you understand me." 
 
 " Ah ! you own Julius, then ? I now better under 
 stand many little things." 
 
 " Do you, now ? " he laughed. " Tis very un 
 wise to take so much for granted, Sir. And there is 
 one thing I would have you remember: " he drew 
 closer and lowered his voice " you have yet to 
 answer to me personally for your insults. In this 
 
 190
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 other matter we may work for a common end; but 
 I have no desire to stand in a false light, and have 
 you think me your friend." 
 
 I admired the boy for his frankness, though I was 
 disposed to laugh at his threat. 
 
 " Do you think it wise to warn me ? " 
 
 " I think I know my man," he nodded. 
 
 I laughed. " Zooks ! Sir Charles, you have de 
 veloped a great wisdom since last we met. Yes, you 
 are right you know your man." 
 
 " Then you agree to ally yourself with us ? " 
 
 " Yes, up to a certain point. When my object 
 shall have been accomplished, I shall drop out ; and 
 then well, after that we shall know how we stand." 
 
 " Blood me ! but I cannot help liking you, Sir ! 
 You should be one of us. There s a great time com 
 ing, if the King should do something that he seems 
 inclined to do." 
 
 I stopped him with a wave of my hand. " Don t 
 jtell too much, Sir Charles, if you hope to succeed in 
 this great time that you speak of. For myself, 
 I m but a poor soldier of fortune, without politics or 
 ambition. I have passed the time when I expected 
 dreams to be fulfilled." 
 
 He stood looking strangely at me. Then he drew 
 his timepiece. " Twenty minutes to midnight. 
 Slife ! I must be off ! " He again turned to me as 
 though to say something, bujt evidently changed his 
 mind. 
 
 191
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " You intended to speak to join* man, Denton," I 
 reminded. 
 
 " Oh, yes ; but liark ! who is this ? " 
 
 The sound of hasty movements came from the 
 deepest shadows, and a moment later Toby appeared, 
 running softly. 
 
 I stepped forward to meet him. " Yes, Toby ? " 
 
 " A mounted man is passing down the little path 
 toward the gate, Sir." 
 
 " Where ? Quick ! " 
 
 Toby sprang toward the path, with Sir Charles 
 and me at his heels. Through the trees we dodged, 
 slanting our course, that we might strike the path as 
 far down as possible. It was very dark here under 
 the great branches. On we stumbled, our progress 
 slow. I cursed as my foot caught on something, and 
 I was thrown to the earth. But the next moment I 
 was somewhat consoled to hear a grunt from Sir 
 Charles, who had flattened himself against an in 
 visible tree. Toby glided through with the skill of 
 a fox, and a moment after the accident to Sir Charles, 
 turned sharply to the left and sprang to the middle 
 of the path, where he stood listening. 
 
 " Has he passed ? " T whispered. 
 
 " I fear so, Sir ; but hark ! " 
 
 We held our breaths and listened. 
 
 " Yes there he is, crossing the bridge ! " 
 
 " Quick ! " I cried, " we must catch him ! " 
 
 On the little bridge we again stopped to listen. 
 
 192
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 ... A faint rattle came from the gate, then an 
 indistinct challenge, and a muffled reply. 
 
 " Denton is after him ! " Toby shouted, as we 
 dashed along. 
 
 The sharp, whip-like crack of a pistol rang out on 
 the night. We sprang into the main drive, and 
 were just in time to see Denton stagger and fall, and 
 a horseman bend low in his saddle and gallop at a 
 furious pace toward .Canterbury.
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 r As we approached the spot where the man lay, he 
 struggled to his feet and came unsteadily toward us. 
 His right hand he pressed to his left shoulder, and 
 between the fingers a little stream of red was 
 trickling. 
 
 " Hard hit, my man ? " said Sir Charles, support 
 ing him. 
 
 " Nay, Sir, tis not bad, I think ; but the blow 
 upset me. I m steady now, Sir." He quickly was 
 recovering from the shock. 
 
 "Did you recognise the knave?" I. asked, remov 
 ing some of his clothing so as to expose the wound. 
 
 " Xo, Sir, not definitely ; but it wasn t the Earl, I 
 think." 
 
 " Oh ! not his Lordship, but his Lordship s man ! 
 As bad, if not worse ! Where is that accursed 
 Julius, that he permitted him to pass so quickly ? 
 The knave is always in the way when not wanted ! " 
 
 " I sent him to watch my horse, that it might not 
 neigh," said Sir Charles. 
 
 A dark form moved from behind a tree, and, cir 
 cling noiselessly past us, approached the gate, which 
 it quietly closed. There could be no mistaking the 
 awkward form nor the snake-like movement. 
 
 I stood grinding my teeth in the same unaccounta- 
 
 194
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 ble rage that always came over me when I beheld the 
 hideous creature, while Toby bound a scarf over the 
 furrow that had been ploughed across the top of Den- 
 ton s shoulder. There was something remarkably 
 strange in this hatred. It meant something ... I 
 wondered what. 
 
 " There, friend Den,ton, to-morrow you ll be as 
 sound as ever, save for a little stiffness," said Toby ? 
 as he finished his operation. 
 
 " Don t you think, Sir, we d better get off the 
 drive ? " he asked. 
 
 "Zounds, yes!" cried Sir Charles. "That shot 
 would warn Cadwaller! Here, Julius!" (The 
 other sneaked toward him). "Fetch my horse, 
 quick ! I must be off. Slife ! " he went on, to me, 
 as we stepped back under the shadows, " we now 
 must move with double haste, the Earl has gained a 
 great advantage." 
 
 " Yes, he has sent either for more authority or re 
 inforcements or both." 
 
 " And mayhap for something else, as bad as 
 either." 
 
 "You mean ?" 
 
 " He may be in need of a priest." 
 
 " Xo ; a priest would not suffice without the 
 others." 
 
 " You mean that you would resist ? " 
 
 " Resist ! Cadwaller may beat me ; but if I go 
 under, he shall go too." 
 
 195
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 lie said nothing for a moment, then : " And yet 
 you have no object! " he laughed. "Well, go onj 
 but our paths soon may cross, I warn you." 
 
 " Oh ! " I said, and stood silent, pondering a new 
 problem. 
 
 " You see I am frank with you." 
 
 " I am sleepy," I yawned. 
 
 He muttered something under his breath, then 
 we both remained silent until the sound of a horse s 
 footsteps coming through the trees in the rear told 
 us that Julius was returning. 
 
 Sir Charles moved to where the wounded man 
 stood and said a few words in a low tone, then turned 
 to meet Julius. After mounting, he leaned from his 
 saddle and I made no doubt gave him whispered 
 directions also. Julius moved off to open the gate. 
 Sir Charles rode up beside me. 
 
 " I hope you will be successful in the carrying out 
 of your resolutions, Master Everard strike me 
 dead if I don t! If you hear from me at all, it shall 
 be soon. Cadwaller has set a mighty fast pace. 
 Slife ! we must move quickly or be ridden down. 
 Au rcvoir, Sir. And if we meet not again I shall at 
 least write your epitaph." 
 
 He bent low in his saddle, drove spurs into his 
 horse s sides, dashed along the drive and through the 
 gates at full speed. 
 
 For some time after he had gone I stood with my 
 back against a tree, staring through the branches at 
 
 196
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 a 
 t< 
 
 the starry sky. I heard Julius close the gates, then 
 enter the lodge. 
 
 " Toby," I said presently, " return with this maa 
 to ,the house. Tis late and you need sleep ; to-mor 
 row seems like to be a busy day." 
 
 And you, Sir ? " he asked uneasily. 
 I ? Ah ! I shall remain in the grounds 
 awhile." 
 
 He turned away unwillingly, then stopped and 
 looked back, twisting his mustaches in indeci 
 sion. 
 
 "Toby!" 
 
 " Yes, Sir ? " 
 
 " What do you think of this affair, Toby ? " 
 
 " Very bad, Sir, very bad ! The worst yet, Sir ! " 
 
 "Surely not!" 
 
 " Well, Sir that is ah the most important." 
 
 " You surprise me, Toby ! Do you forget our last 
 affair in Paris ? " 
 
 " Xo, Sir ; but this is very different." 
 
 " Yes, different circumstances ; but the odds are 
 much the same." 
 
 lie fidgeted. " Of course Sir Alfred might be 
 managed, and Sir Charles, and the Earl, and 
 and Julius ; but 
 
 " Oh ! but you think the King is one too many for 
 us! Well, you may be right; to-morrow looks 
 dark yes, faith, very dark." 
 
 jerked his hat more over his brows, cleared 
 197
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 his throat and squared his shoulders. " I didn t 
 mean the King, Sir; I meant ah meant 
 
 " Good-night, Toby. You and Denton must have 
 your sleep." I put my hands upon his shoulders 
 and peered into his face. He stared steadily at the 
 ground. I tried to laugh, but the attempt was a 
 sorry failure ; my lips refused to expand smilingly, 
 and my throa,t ached with the effort to produce the 
 sound. 
 
 " Why, Toby," I said presently, " tis strange in 
 deed to see you become despondent." 
 
 " Despondent, Sir ! " He sprang back as though 
 I had struck him. 
 
 "Ha! that is better, Toby! The old spirit is 
 there still, I see ! " 
 
 " Ay, Sir, and always will be. But I hate might 
 ily to lose you, Sir." He was looking at the ground 
 again. 
 
 Denton had moved off toward the house. 
 
 " Lose me ? " I asked quietly. 
 
 He said nothing for a moment, then he thrust for 
 ward his head. " But the devil take me if she s 
 not worth it, Sir ! " 
 
 This time I did laugh, scornfully at first, then bit 
 terly, as the .true situation was more thoroughly real 
 ised. 
 
 " If you never lose me until I am lost in that way, 
 Toby, our hairs shall grow white together. Ha ! 
 
 198
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 ba! " I laughed again, and struck my chest, "upon 
 my soul, Toby, you re mad ! " 
 
 Toby sadly shook his head. 
 
 I grew half-angry, half-alarmed, attempted to 
 laugh again, bu,t failed, and finally ended by twist 
 ing my mustaches and boring holes in the ground 
 with the heel of my boot. 
 
 Toby stood with hands clasped behind his back, 
 staring off through the patches of moonlight and 
 shadow, a mournful little figure that saw his idolised 
 master and comrade drifting swiftly from him. 
 Zooks ! I knew not whether to swear or wipe my 
 eyes. I long had known the little man would lay 
 down his life for me, but I never thought him capa 
 ble of such foolishness. I fought with the tempta 
 tion to lose patience, and presently stepped to his 
 side and put my hand upon his shoulder. 
 
 He touched his hat smartly and turned ,to face me. 
 His manner killed the last spark of impatience with 
 in me. Zounds ! every move of the little man went 
 straight to my hearjt. 
 
 " Come, Toby," I said kindly, " I must show you 
 how groundless is your fear." (I felt like a fool in 
 having to discuss the matter.) " In the first place, 
 think of the King and Cadwaller. They must be 
 defeated or we shall go under the la,tter seems the 
 more probable. Xext remember Sir Charles, who 
 hopes to be rewarded for the overthrow of his Lord- 
 
 199
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 ship, as he to-night told me, and warned me to keep 
 out of his path. But so much for him." I snapped 
 my fingers. " After that, think of Sir Alfred, who 
 hates me like the devil, arid almost choked with rage 
 when last I spoke to him. ... A fine array of ob 
 stacles, are they not, to assure you that we shall not 
 drift apart ! But these, insurmountable as they are, 
 must be placed below the greatest. My dear Toby, 
 but look at me and recall what I always have been. 
 Surely you know me well enough to prevent you 
 from supposing for a moment that I am capable of 
 falling in love with a woman ! " 
 
 Toby smiled faintly. 
 
 " Why, Toby, my boy, I don t know what love is ! " 
 
 " That s the worst of it, Sir." 
 
 "What!" 
 
 " That is why you weren t able to keep clear of it, 
 Sir." 
 
 " Keep clear of it ! Why, man, I have kept clear 
 of it ! Zooks ! upon my soul, Toby, you re mad ! I 
 admit Mistress Heron is the only woman in the world 
 with the power of reason ; the only woman with a soul 
 and a man s sense of honour, and a spirit that would 
 fight ; the only beautiful woman in the world ; the 
 most kind, witty and brave; the only woman in the 
 world not overloaded with vanity and the love of 
 courts; faith, the only real woman I ever have be 
 held ; but to be in love with her oh, no, Toby ! 
 you know me better than to think that, surely ! " 
 
 2OO
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 Toby turned his head from me and drew his hat 
 still far.ther forward. 
 
 I was silent for a moment, wondering if I should 
 say more. But I felt communicative that night, and 
 as I always before had taken Toby into my confi 
 dence, I could see no reason why I should not 
 go on. 
 
 " And besides, Toby, you forge,t who she is and 
 who I am. Zounds! " (I laughed harshly), " she, as 
 I have said, is the only perfect woman in the world, 
 and what am I? She (and here s where the world 
 comes in), she is the only child of a man with an in 
 come of from five to ten thousand at least, and to 
 what am I heir, Toby? Why, my good friend, we 
 have a few hundred scraped together, a pair of good 
 swords and a horse apiece, and yes, Toby, old 
 friend, your love and devotion, which I d not ex 
 change for a kingdom." 
 
 He cleared his throat with great vigour and gruff- 
 ness, and drew his shoulders up to greater square 
 ness. 
 
 " No, no, Toby. She s proud, doubtless and 
 with good reason and I am but a blunt soldier. 
 Bah ! what good would it do me if T did love her ? 
 She looks on me as a good, honest fellow, and trusts 
 me to lead her from her troubles and honoured am 
 I with the service ; but as for loving me oh, no, no, 
 my friend, tis absurd ! " 
 
 Toby turned on me almost savagely. " And why 
 
 2OI
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 should she not, Sir ? " His mustaches bristled with 
 indignation, like the hairs of an angry cat. 
 
 I could have hugged the little man for his loyalty. 
 
 " Why, because I am no.t worthy, Toby. Remem 
 ber, my dear old friend, I am not the great hero you 
 would make me. You are blind to my faults, old 
 comrade, and doubtless think my like is not. Others 
 take me at my true worth." 
 
 He made an impatien,t movement. 
 
 " Don t you see, Toby ? I have nothing ! s\> 
 position, no wealth, no learning worth mentioning, 
 and as bad as any other failing no looks. Why, 
 Toby, my man " (I stepped into a patch of moon 
 light), "do but look at those boots shapeless and 
 discoloured ; this coat last year s style ; this hat, gaze 
 on it that feather has not been curled in a half- 
 year ! " 
 
 " Dress ! " said Toby scornfully. 
 
 " Dress ! Zounds ! dress is all I can claim, and 
 I haven J even that. And then come looks to com 
 plete my list of imperfections. I m very homely, 
 Toby." 
 
 " Oh, Sir! " (Vast depreciation.) 
 
 " Do you know, Toby, even my mother and I 
 was only six years of age when she died, so it must 
 have been before that said I was an ugly little 
 devil." 
 
 I think Toby swore under his breath. 
 
 " No, she didn t think over much of my beauty, 
 
 202
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 and she should have known. My father said I was 
 an ill-tempered young fiend that would end my life 
 upon the gibbet. He cast me off and disowned me, 
 as your know." 
 
 Toby coughed gruffly. 
 
 " Faith, ol d friend, I never have been very popu 
 lar. You are 4 the only soul with whom I have not 
 quarrelled, and your forbearance accounts for that. 
 And, knowing all these prodigious failings, you could 
 for a moment think the most perfect creature God 
 ever made could love me! Out, Toby, tis ab 
 surd ! " I laughed a little, but it did not sound right, 
 and then I bored more holes. 
 
 Toby was silent for some time, then he chuckled 
 softly to himself. 
 
 I looked up, surprised and annoyed. " You are 
 amused, Toby ? " 
 
 " No, Sir ! Xo, Sir ! Just thinking, Sir." 
 
 " Oh ! And what might be your thoughts, Toby ? 
 Do you see now how very wrong you were in .think 
 ing so foolishly of me as to suppose that I ever could 
 be in love ? " 
 
 " Yes, Sir. To be sure, Sir." 
 
 " What ! oh, yes. ... I am glad you see your 
 your mistake." For some unaccountable reason, my 
 voice shook painfully. " And you see, Toby," I 
 went on, after a moment s pause, " I have another 
 sad failing. You know, Toby, I I swear like the 
 devil eh, Toby ? " 
 
 203
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " Yes, Sir, very bad, Sir." He turned his head 
 from me. 
 
 We walked on in silence toward the house. 
 
 " And, Toby," I said presently, " I am too old .to 
 change my habits, am I not ? " 
 
 "Oh, yes, Sir ! " he answered quickly, but in a 
 voice that made me look at him hastily. 
 
 " And, after all, there is no life like that of a 
 soldier, is there, Toby ? " 
 
 " No, Sir ! No, Sir ! Of course not, Sir ! " 
 
 We stepped back into the path near the little 
 bridge, and, glancing back to see that we were alone, 
 walked slowly up the gentle slope. On the bridge I 
 halted. ... It seemed an age since last I had 
 crossed it. How still and peaceful it was ! that lit 
 tle span of rustic work with its undisturbed surround 
 ings. How lazily it stretched from one bank to the 
 other! Twas difficult to realise that this was the 
 same little bridge over which we had rushed to cut 
 off the escape of an enemy. No, it looked different 
 now ; the moonlight sparkled brighter on the water ; 
 no frightened birds sought shelter; scarce a leaf rus 
 tled in the gentle breeze; now it was the bridge of 
 that first morning. Less than two weeks since that 
 first morning! It seemed scarce a day, and yet a 
 lifetime. Since that day, until this, nothing of great 
 importance seemed to have happened, and yet how 
 much. I had come to unravel a plot, and hero 
 Toby had discovered the key. How long ago that; 
 
 204
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 seemed ! The mysteries of the plot all were clear to 
 me now, but my position was not what I had ex 
 pected; the difficulties opposing me grew greater 
 with every movement. Never before had the 
 thought of defeat alarmed me now I shuddered as I 
 thought of the possibility. Yes, this time it was 
 different this time there should be no defeat; this 
 time it hurt, it hurt. 
 
 I stared into the water and tried to see ,the fishes 
 her fishes but they were not there. 
 
 " Zooks ! how sharp was her tongue that morning ! " 
 I muttered, and smiled at ,the memory of her startled 
 look as she stood upon the great, flat stone, ready to 
 flee, and yet attempting to look dauntless. " A brave 
 little heart! And the odds that were against her, 
 and what defeat meant! And then her sharpness 
 when I protested my innocence. She thought I was 
 spying upon her. Then I protest : Madam, I said, 
 I swear Yes/ she snaps out, ere I could 
 
 proceed, I heard you, Sir ! I chuckled to myself. 
 " And then her irrepressible youth, which sprang up 
 within her and overflowed. How she seemed Jto 
 trust me from the first! Zounds! how happy the 
 world would be with more such unsuspecting spirits ! 
 And then we fed the fishes her pets. . . . Then 
 Toby came and surprised me. Ah, the sparkle in 
 the little man s eyes when he caugh,t me! Do you 
 remember, Toby ? " 
 
 " What, Sir?" 
 
 205
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " Why, the bridge, the fishes that morning ! " 
 
 " Oh, yes, Sir ! Very well, Sir ! " 
 
 " Ah, that was a great day, Toby ! Faith, there 
 will be no more like it, my friend." 
 
 " And and the arbour, Sir." 
 
 " Ay, and the arbour, Toby." 
 
 " And the butterfly, Sir." 
 
 I looked sharply at him. I feared he was laugh 
 ing in his sleeve, but his face was more sad than gay. 
 
 " And the rosebush, Toby." 
 
 He laughed, then put his- hand to the hollow of his 
 back. " Zooks ! I never shall forget the rosebush ! 
 My back aches now when I think of it, Sir." 
 
 " Ah, yes, yes, ; that was a great day, my friend ! 
 And there will be no more, no more! To-morrow 
 will begin with what I fear will be a tragedy. And, 
 Toby, we must come out on top. Remember, old 
 comrade, there shall be no such word as fail. Tis 
 not for ourselves, but for her. She must be saved, 
 Toby! May we be damned for knaves through all 
 eternity if we go down until our work is done ! " 
 
 " Amen, Sir," said Toby solemnly, and grasped my 
 outstretched hand in a gripe there was no mistaking. 
 
 206
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 As we emerged from the path and started to cross 
 the lawn I was struck with surprise to see the lights 
 still shining brightly from the windows of the room 
 in which Sir Alfred and the Earl had been talking, 
 as well as from the main hall. I was filled with a 
 sadness and disgust, also, for if Sir Alfred was still 
 up, as the lights would lead one to suppose, it meant 
 that he had taken no heed of the warning that I had 
 given him in the supper-room. 
 
 " The pitiable creature has been frightened into 
 giving his consent," I thought. " He is a child in 
 that knave s hands. Ah, the shame of cowardice! 
 To what will it not make its victims stoop ? He 
 clearly saw that what I said was true. Twas not 
 mere indignation that almost strangled him ; twas 
 the recognising of an ugly truth. And he will sink 
 his daughter to such a depth merely to save his miser 
 able neck! Ah! tis too revolting! " 
 
 Faith, when he left the room I had no thought 
 that he would have the strength to face the matter 
 bravely. T thought the Earl would win. But now, 
 as I fully realised that he had consented to bear the 
 disgrace, it turned me sick at heart. I ground my 
 teeth in rage and disgust, and silently swore that 
 
 207
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 it should not be, even if the whole of England should 
 rise against me. 
 
 I felt a de.spera.te feeling of recklessness begin to 
 boil up within me. It always comes to me when I 
 am pressed too hard. Its presence made me to real 
 ise the hopelessness of my undertaking, for I always 
 have been my own master, and feel confidence of ulti 
 mate triumph until it comes. It is the smouldering 
 embers of a fiery temper crushed into control by 
 years of discipline. But at a great crisis it is dan 
 gerous twill burst out with a force .that always 
 sweeps me from my feet. Twill hurl me on 
 against my opposition, and then something always 
 has given way. Before this night it had been the 
 opposition ; but this time I wondered which. Only 
 the first symptoms now were present. I still was 
 master of myself, and I made a great struggle to re 
 main so. I crushed the fire within my heart, de 
 termined ,to fight my opponents with all the coolness 
 I could muster. Before the end I should give way 
 to it, I felt ; but not now, or I should do more harm 
 than good. 
 
 On the second floor the windows all were dark. 
 I paused and looked more particularly at hers. The 
 little white face in the moonlight was not there. 
 " She sleeps peacefully," I thought, " all uncon 
 scious of the victory of the great black spider on the 
 floor below. Or does she toss restlessly and doubt 
 my power to guide her safely through ? " My jaw 
 
 208
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 tightened and I griped my fists as we drew nearer. 
 Damnation ! she shall come safely out," I mut 
 tered. Then: " But I must stop that swearing; tis 
 vastly rough and unbecoming." A moment later I 
 smiled at my proposed reformation. 
 
 At % the corner of the house we stopped. 
 
 " They are gay, Toby. They illuminate in honour 
 of their victory in getting their man safely through." 
 
 " Yes, Sir ; but they don t seem very boisterous 
 over it, Sir." 
 
 I went to the window and listened. Not a 
 sound came from within. 
 
 " Well, Toby, sleep with loaded pistols, and warn 
 the men to be prepared. Call me at the first alarm, 
 should anything happen this night." 
 
 " Yes, Sir. Good-night, Sir." He touched his 
 hat and turned to go, but after three steps again 
 came to a halt. " Beg pardon, Sir," he said, ap 
 proaching, " but you will retire now, Sir ? " 
 
 " Yes, yes, of course, Toby." Then I smiled. 
 " Why, my friend, did you think I might take an 
 other stroll ? " 
 
 He pulled at his upper lip and regarded me 
 strangely for a moment, his head held to one side. 
 Then he saluted again smartly and strutted toward 
 the rear. 
 
 I stood looking after him until he disappeared, 
 then walked slowly to the door. There was a little 
 movement within as I turned the knob, but when I 
 14 209
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 swung the door from me and stood upon the thresh 
 old, as a precaution against a sudden atttack, every 
 thing was orderly and calm. Two large candle 
 sticks stood upon the table, a little fire crackled 
 merrily beneath the mantel, and wreaths of blue 
 smoke curled lazily up from behind a small volume 
 in the Earl of Cadwaller s hands. I entered and 
 glanced behind the door, which I then closed. 
 
 His Lordship calmly looked up, his finger marking 
 his page. " All safe, Sir," he sneered. " Od s fish ! 
 you grow .timid, my friend." 
 
 " I always know where to expect assassins, my 
 Lord." 
 
 " From old associations, I suppose." He blew a 
 smoke-ring into the air, then cut it with his long 
 pipe-stem. 
 
 " They always choose one kind of company." 
 
 " Then you are lonely ? " He raised his eyebrows. 
 
 " Nay, faith, most cheerful, which should prove 
 me a knave." 
 
 " But something irritable since your little defeat." 
 He laughed softly, and puffed his pipe with great 
 relish. 
 
 " Nay, pleasured with your great haste to suicide." 
 
 " Suicide ! " Again he laughed. 
 
 I placed a chair with its back against the wall by 
 the fire and sat down. 
 
 " Yes, my Lord, you hasten your fate." 
 
 2IO
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " And such a fate ! " ho smiled. " Oh, the Fates 
 are with me ! " 
 
 " They soon will be, my Lord." 
 
 " Slife, Sir, they are already ! Come, felicitate 
 me ; I have won." 
 
 "Yes?" I laughed. 
 
 " Yes, a fact, I assure you. Will you nofc smoke a 
 pipe with me ? " He smilingly held it toward me, 
 then lighted a splint in the flame of a candle. 
 
 I took it, shook the tobacco from the bowl into the 
 fire, crossed to the table and refilled it from the jar. 
 He sat staring for a moment, then stroked his jaw 
 slowly and smiled in amusement. 
 
 " As cautious as the Duke of York ! " he laughed. 
 " But then, I suppose all great folk are alike. 
 Doubtless you fear a plot to rob you of the succes 
 sion." 
 
 " No, I fear if I should smoke what you gave me I 
 migh,t wear a crown all too soon, my Lord." 
 
 " You flatter yourself, Sir ; I have no need to re 
 sort to such measures." 
 
 " No." He smiled very contentedly, crossed his 
 legs and resumed his occupation of playing with the 
 smoke-rings. T said nothing, but puffed thoughtfully 
 nnd watched him. His eyes twinkled merrily, as 
 though he was relishing some pleasant secret. 
 
 " You are determined to fight my battles for me," 
 
 211
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 he said presently. " First you came across my path 
 to capture, but failed." 
 
 " You are fleet of foot, my Lord." 
 
 He carelessly waved my remark aside. " You 
 irritated me somewhat then, hut at the same time 
 gave me my strongest card you put Sir Alfred with 
 in my power, when you gave the King his sword. A 
 bad mistake, was it not ? But then, I suppose you 
 were free to act disinterestedly at that time ; you had 
 not fallen into the golden web, eh ? Sblood ! is it 
 rot strange that all even the lowest of our sex are 
 so vulnerable in a certain spot ? The most hardened 
 ruffian is as susceptible as the most refined " 
 
 " Ruffian ? " 
 
 " Xo, gentleman." 
 
 " Go on, pray ; you are vastly instructing, my 
 Lord." 
 
 " "Tis from you I learn, Sir. But permit me to 
 proceed with the list of favours you have rendered 
 me." 
 
 " After placing Sir Alfred within my power, you 
 prevented his unwise flight, which increased my in 
 debtedness to you. Then you upset the plans of Sir 
 Charles and his powerful supporters, which made my 
 third debt." (lie was counting them by touching 
 his fingers with his pipe-stem). "And, as though 
 these were not enough kindnesses, you ,this night have 
 rendered me a fourth. I have no more to ask, for 
 this last has removed the obstacle that you created." 
 
 212
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 He looked at me closely and strangely, to see whether 
 I had caught his meaning or not. 
 
 I sat smoking in silence, trying to find in what had 
 happened that night an act of mine that would agree 
 with his reference to this fourth kindness. Faith, 
 twist my brain as I would, I could think of nothing 
 that would explain i,t. So far as my knowledge went, 
 nothing to contribute to his success had happened ex 
 cept the escape of his servant, which would assure 
 him of assistance. But by no stretch of my imagina 
 tion could I see where I had helped the servant to 
 pass out. And then, what did he mean by : " This 
 last has removed the obstacle that you created ? " 
 No, twas clear that he did not refer to the flight of 
 the servant. But if not that, then what ? I must 
 have shown my lack of comprehension in my face, 
 for he made an impatient move and said : 
 
 " Slife ! it must be later than I had thought ; 
 when Master Everard s bright mind cannot grasp a 
 plain statement tis time for weaker wits to be abed." 
 
 I still sat watching him as he rose and, placing his 
 pipe upon the table and his book in his pocket, 
 stretched his arms far above his head and yawned 
 lazily. There were sly devils lurking somewhere 
 deep in his eyes, which he never took off me from the 
 moment he made the remark about the fourth kind 
 ness I had done him. There he stood, the long, 
 tapering fingers stroking his pointed jaw, which be 
 trayed the trait of character, the perversion of which 
 
 213
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 was the cause of his present depravity. The rebel 
 lions feeling of recklessness that I had felt before en 
 tering again took hold of me. He meant something 
 fiendish, I could see by his look. What, what could 
 it be ? Twas nothing that had happened in the 
 grounds. In the house then. And if in the house, 
 and it assured his success, as he said, then it must be 
 injurious to Mistress Heron. I felt my lips tighten 
 and my nostrils twitch, and as I peered intently 
 through the smoke that now rose furiously before my 
 face, the long-disciplined fire mounted quickly from 
 heart to head and almost gained control. 
 
 His Lordship turned away slowly, moved to the 
 other side of the table, and again stood still. You 
 may have solved the riddle ere sunrise," he smiled. 
 A good-night to you, Sir. May you enjoy your 
 watch." His eyes turned, for a fraction of a second, 
 toward the door of the room in which he and Sir Al 
 fred had been talking earlier in the evening. 
 
 Like a flash the strangeness of the lights burning 
 within that room at that late hour came to me. Not 
 a sound had come from there to Jtell that it was occu 
 pied. And the Earl reading alone in the hall, when 
 the rest of the house was hushed in slumber ! A sud 
 den suspicion took hold of me, and I glanced quickly 
 to his Lordship, then to the door again. 
 
 lie saw my look, and smiled. " Ah, your wits are 
 reviving, my friend," he nodded. Then I think he 
 saw the fire in my eyes, and was warned. " Again, 
 
 214
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 good-night ,to you," he smiled, and turned toward the 
 stairs. 
 
 I slowly rose, every muscle strained to keep control 
 of myself. " Halt ! " I growled iii a voice that told 
 me how near I was to the danger point. " Not so 
 fast, my Lord Cad waller." I kept my eyes on him 
 and crossed to .the foot of the stairs. 
 
 For a moment a look of dismay was on his face, 
 then his careless sneer returned. " Oh, you still de 
 sire company? Really, you grow tiresome, my 
 friend." 
 
 " Come," I said, speaking very low, " stop that, 
 Sir ; we are done with child s play. Banish that 
 sneer, you knave, or I shall carve it from you ! " 
 
 " Stand aside, or 
 
 I seized his arm in a gripe that sunk each finger 
 deep, and drew him ,to me. " Now, Sir, I have quit 
 the play. I am now Mark Everard, who never yet 
 has known defeat. Stop squirming or I shall pull 
 your villainous bones apart. Now, answer my ques 
 tion : Who is in that room ? " 
 
 He tried to look dignified, but his eyes dropped be 
 fore my stare. 
 
 I seized his other arm and shook him roughly. 
 " Quick ! " 
 
 Ho looked me in the face, a fear creeping into his 
 eyoe. " Not a soul," he said strangely. 
 
 " What! " I was a little taken aback, so relaxed 
 my gripe. 
 
 215
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 He took advantage of the impression he had made 
 on me, and sprang back a step, tearing himself free. 
 His sneer returned as he drew himself up proudly, 
 his right foot advanced and his hand upon his hilt. 
 
 " I say there is not a living soul wi,thin.that room," 
 he said slowly, dwelling a little on the " living soul." 
 
 My suspicion was confirmed. I took a step toward 
 him. He drew half his sword from its scabbard and 
 thrust forward his head, ready to fight. Then a 
 strange look came to his face, and he hesitated, his 
 mouth half open, as though anxiously listening. 
 
 " You are a liar ,my Lord," I said quietly, for I 
 too had heard the sound that startled him. 
 
 He turned white and trembled, as his eyes sought 
 the door of the room whence the alarming sound had 
 come. Then it came again, and he trembled and let 
 his blade slide back into its scabbard. 
 
 " You grow timid, my friend," I mocked, using 
 the words that he had spoken when I, on entering the 
 room, glanced behind the door. " Come, my Lord, 
 we shall explore and learn the cause of the mystery." 
 I seized his arm and drew him with me. 
 
 For a few steps he went passively, his eyes fixed 
 upon the door-knob with the expression of one that 
 expected some grim horror presently to step forth. 
 Then the drear sound again rolled out, distinct and 
 painful, and my Lord shuddered and shrunk back in 
 alarm. 
 
 " Another coward," I muttered in disgust. Then 
 
 216
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 aloud : " Come on ! " I snarled, and drew him 
 roughly to me. 
 
 " No, no, I will not ! " he cried hoarsely. u I will 
 not enter there ! There is no one ! That sound is 
 not human, I know, I know ! His lips were white, 
 and twitched painfully. His whole appearance was 
 the mos,t disgusting in the world to a man, it depicted 
 abject terror so perfectly. 
 
 " Oh ! you know, do you ? Well, come along ; we 
 soon shall see." I put my hand upon the knob and 
 jerked him to me as I turned it. 
 
 A pitiable groan came from the room the moment 
 the door was opened. The Earl sprang back and 
 struggled frantically ,to escape. 
 
 " Come, coward ! " I brought my right hand to 
 the assistance of my left, and at last I succeeded in 
 forcing him to cross the threshold. 
 
 Another groan trembled from the farther end of 
 the room, and Cadwaller s hand flew to his hilt. 
 
 " Your victim, I suppose," I taunted, locking the 
 door and putting the key in my pocket. Then I 
 crossed to ,the sofa, upon which Sir Alfred lay. 
 
 " Are you wounded, Sir ? " I asked. 
 
 He stared straight at me and struggled as though 
 to speak, but no sound came forth save another pain 
 ful groan. 
 
 " Is he alive ? " The Earl whispered tremblingly 
 from beside the door. 
 
 217
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 At the sound of Cadwaller s voice, a sudden change 
 came over the features of the stricken man. His 
 eyes blazed like fire and almost started from his head ; 
 the veins of his face and neck stood out in grea,t black 
 ridges ; and his breast rose as though it would burst. 
 He was making a desperate effort to move, but no part 
 but his eyes succeeded, and they seemed powerless to 
 turn in .their sockets, or do aught but twitch slightly 
 and transmit the inward fire. Even the hands re 
 mained folded upon the breast, like those of a corpse. 
 A handkerchief, which I recognised as the Earl s, 
 lying on the floor beside the head, accounted for this 
 strange position. 
 
 " Come here," I said briefly to Cadwaller, as I 
 opened the poor sufferer s band, that, he might not 
 choke. Then, as the knave still hesitated : " Come," 
 I repeated, " you have no cause for fear ; he is not 
 the ghost you thought him. You were a little too 
 hasty, my Lord, in laying his body out." 
 
 When his Lordship saw tha.t the drear sounds had 
 come from a live man, and not an angry spirit, as he 
 had thought, his self-assurance was not long in re 
 turning. He approached the sofa a little timidly, 
 but when he had gazed for a moment upon the wild, 
 blazing eyes of the man that he so had wronged, the 
 colour came into his face again, and presently he 
 turned to me with something of his accustomed inso 
 lence. 
 
 " This is your work, Sir," he said quietly. " Tis 
 
 218
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 the result of your damned meddling in the supper- 
 room." 
 
 " Liar, keep a check on your tongue ! " I com- 
 lOJided, for I saw the effect his words had on Sir 
 Alfred. 
 
 The stricken man s whole form was .trembling with 
 some terrible storm that made the beholding of it an 
 gony. It would have been less shocking had his 
 3atures moved, but as he was, his struggle was ari 
 awful spectacle. He seemed racked with pain and 
 rage beyond human endurance, and was bound in 
 7 "onds of no human forging. His breath rushed in 
 irough his teeth with a hissing sound, and escaped 
 again in a sobbing groan. His eyes he was attempt 
 ing to turn to Cad waller, and the nearer they came to 
 their goal the more fiercely they burned. Then, at 
 last, they beheld the hated object; a struggle, the 
 most savage yet, set in. The mouth drew back at tho 
 right side and left exposed the teeth, on which a froth 
 had gathered ; the right hand twitched for a moment, 
 vhen opened wide and moved from the other, which 
 still seemed dead ; the right leg stirred next in painful 
 jerks, bent at the knee with great labour, and pressed 
 against the sofa-back, as though to shove its owner to 
 the floor. His appearance was shocking beyond my 
 power of describing. 
 
 The Earl drew back and turned his face away to 
 escape the stare of hate from those awful eyes. T 
 sprang to the poor sufferer s side and raised his 
 
 219
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 shoulders upon my arm. But he seemed to take no 
 notice of my act ; his eyes remained fixed on Cadwal- 
 ler, and he continued his desperate struggle to reach 
 the floor. By sheer force of will and burning rage 
 Sir Alfred was tearing his body free from the gripe 
 of death .that grasped his every muscle. Inch by 
 inch his right side was moving, as though fighting a 
 weight of lead. His left side still was helpless, the 
 arm hanging limp and lifeless from the shoulder, and 
 that side of the face fixed and dead as marble, while 
 the right twitched and grinned horribly. 
 
 " Be calm, be calm, Sir ! " I pleaded, for I knew 
 his rage must but hasten the end. 
 
 His reply was another tremendous strain that 
 wrenched his every bone, a spasmodic griping of the 
 hand, and a yet more hideous grin, as, with my sup 
 port, he wriggled himself into an almost upright posi 
 tion. Death was yielding to a wronged man s rage. 
 
 " Stop ! " cried the Earl, shrill and trembling. 
 " Leave him alone ! The fool is is coming to life 
 a^ain ! " The King s dog was giving way again. 
 lie kept his hand upon his hilt, which he clutched till 
 his knuckles were white. 
 
 " Silence, cur, or you shall be the first to pass ! " 
 
 Sir Alfred s right side worked more vigorously. 
 Now his lips were twitching with more suppleness, 
 and some babbling sounds came forth. He was mak 
 ing heroic efforts Jto launch a curse, I know. 
 
 Cadwallcr saw and heard the attempt, for he 
 
 2 2O
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 sneaked to the other side of the table, where he stood 
 staring fixedly at Sir Alfred, a strange mixture of 
 fear and expectation on his face. 
 
 Again Sir Alfred babbled, and his Lordship 
 laughed uneasily, as a woman laughs when over 
 wrought with fear. 
 
 The effect on the stricken man was wonderful. 
 His whole right side shook off the last shreds of 
 Death s strong bands ; he clenched his fist and sprang 
 from the sofa, then toppled to ,the left, and should 
 have fallen but for my support ; his mouth and eyes 
 worked madly for a moment, unintelligible words 
 rolling out in a torrent. His voice was hoarse with 
 pent-up passion, and his words were made thick by a 
 useless tongue. 
 
 "Dog!" he forced ou>t at last. "Dog! dog! 
 dog ! " For a space this was the only word he could 
 pronounce, and he repeated it a many times in satis 
 faction. 
 
 Again my Lord laughed unnaturally, and chills 
 ran through my frame. 
 
 Sir Alfred s mouth worked hideously. I could 
 feel my own muscle strain, as though forced to help 
 him to break the power of the stroke. My lips 
 twitched and ached in sympathy with his, and my 
 eyes were wide with awe. 
 
 "Dog! Traitor!" He seemed to cough the words 
 out. Then came something that I could not catch. 
 ..." Castlemaine ! Castlemaine ! " He hurled it 
 
 221
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 indistinctly forth. " You would make my 
 daughter into a Castlemaine ! " He gasped and 
 choked on every word. 
 
 His Lordship grinned a sickly grin and moistened 
 his lips with his .tongue. 
 
 "Kill the knave; Everard! Kill him kill 
 him ! " He struggled desperately to cross to where 
 Cadwaller stood, but the stroke again had griped 
 tightly his right leg; twas upon my arm his whole 
 weight hung. He realised his helplessness. " I m 
 done ! I m done ! " he muttered. . . . He gasped 
 for a moment, his eyes glaring wildly around the 
 room, as though he sought for someone. " Where is 
 she ? " he choked out suddenly. " Not gone ! He 
 has not got her ? " 
 
 " Nay, nay, Sir ! she is safe ! Calm yourself, 
 Sir Alfred ! " I tried to get him back to the sofa, but 
 he struggled against it. 
 
 " No, no ! " he gasped. " Quick ; I m going ! 
 Save her, Everard ! save her ! " His weight grew 
 heavier upon my arm, his eyes closed for a little 
 space, and his breath came with greater difficulty. A 
 convulsion ran through his body, and a sickening 
 rattle sounded in his throat. 
 
 My Lord attempted to sigh his relief, but it sound 
 ed like the croak of a raven. 
 
 Sir Alfred sprang into new life, as though the 
 sound of Cadwaller s voice were a match that set off 
 a mine of rage within him ; and the Earl stepped 
 
 222
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 back with a high-pitched cry of fear, and hand on 
 hilt. 
 
 " He he mocks me ! " coughed Sir Alfred. 
 " Curse you dog ! A Castlemaine, eh ! Ha ! 
 ha! " His laugh was horrible, and the expression 
 of the one live side of his face no less so. His right 
 arm he stretched ou,t as though to gripe the hated 
 throat ; and with my support he actually hobbled a 
 pace forward. 
 
 " Keep back ! " cried my Lord hoarsely, his face 
 grinning and twitching uncontrollably. " I ll kill 
 you, by God ! Don t look at me like that ! " And 
 again he laughed that awful laugh of fear. 
 
 " Ha ! ha ! " Sir Alfred croaked, " he fears me ! 
 Ha, dog! you would make her in,to a Castle 
 maine ! You you told me so ! And you 
 struck me with your fist, dog! I am coming 
 now to tear your lying tongue out with these 
 dying fingers ! Hal! ha ! " The inhuman 
 chuckle made me shudder and turn cold. 
 
 " Back ! back ! " cried Cadwaller, cringing, yet 
 fascinated by the other s eyes. 
 
 "Ha! ha!" croaked Sir Alfred, "you woulcl- 
 ruin me if I did not give my consent eh ? 
 You may do your worst now, but I shall kill 
 you." Again he coughed the cough of death and 
 hobbled forward, the right hand working in spas 
 modic gripings, eager to tear his Lordship s throat. 
 
 The Earl \vas a hideous sight. He cringed beside 
 
 223
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 the table, on which one hand was griped tightly 
 the other held his sword, the point rat "ling on the 
 floor; his face was white and drawn; his eyes start 
 ing from their sockets and staring in fearful fascina 
 tion at the .threatening form coming toward him; 
 and his mouth twisted and twitched in fear, as he 
 moistened -his lips with his tongue. 
 
 Suddenly, with a curse, he sprang forward and 
 flashed his blade across the table. I swung Sir 
 Alfred aside. The blow missed him, and Cadwaller 
 almost lost his balance as he leaned toward us. 
 
 " Coward ! " Sir Alfred croaked, and hurled him 
 self from my arm and fell upon ,the table, the grasp 
 ing, claw-like hand shutting relentlessly on the hated 
 throat. 
 
 " Help ! " Cadwaller choked, and drew back his 
 s\vord. I struck it from his hand. He tore and 
 twisted at the hand that held him ; his face grew 
 purple, .then black ; he tried to scream, but could not ; 
 and still the hand did not relax. He struck madly 
 at the dead form before him, his mouth opening and 
 closing quickly, but no move came from Sir Al 
 fred, and no sound passed his Lordship s lips. His 
 eyes rolled wildly at me, but I made no move to save 
 him. He swayed, gave one last pull at the deadly 
 hand, sinking his fingers into it, tottered more un 
 steadily and fell heavily to the floor. Sir Alfred s 
 body slid partly across the table, then came a rip 
 ping of linen, and the dead man slipped back again, 
 
 224
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 and to the floor beside me, his Lordship s band and 
 ruffles in his gripe of death. 
 
 One half of the dead face almost smiled, but the 
 eyes blazed quite as fiercely as a moment before. 
 . . . He had died at the moment he seized Cad- 
 waller s throat. 
 
 My face was wet with horror, and I shuddered as 
 I turned away. 
 
 At that moment a scream, shrill, piercing and full 
 of terror, rang trembling through the house. Then 
 ano.ther and another. Twas a woman s voice. 
 Yes ! yes ! it was hers ! 
 
 " My God ! such a night ! " I groaned, as, with 
 cold and shaking finger?; I sought the door-key, 
 
 225
 
 CHAPTEE XIV. 
 
 THE door slammed behind me, and I sprang up 
 the stairs three steps at a time. Her voice rang in 
 my ears and turned me chill at heart. 
 
 " Help ! help ! " she screamed. " Master Ever- 
 ard ! quick ! here ! " 
 
 " Ay, Madam, I come ! I come ! " I shouted, 
 and dashed along the passage toward her calls. 
 
 Another female voice vvas screaming wildly. 
 Then a door slammed, wild laughter pierced the 
 darkness, and heavy, deadened blows, as of some one 
 hurling his weight against a door, came from a near 
 by room. 
 
 I cursed the darkness that caused me to go slower 
 as I drew near. I could not see my hand before me, 
 but felt my way along the wall. 
 
 " Help ! " screamed the second voice, which T 
 knew r ,to be that of the maid, Martha. 
 
 " Be quiet ! " Mistress Heron commanded. " We 
 are here, Master Everard!" She rapped upon tho 
 door to guide me. 
 
 " Yes, Madam ! " I sprang to the door, knock 
 ing my fingers severely against the frame as I slid 
 them quickly along the wall. The heavy blows still 
 sounded, and I heard a crackling of wood, as though 
 
 226
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 a door within was giving way. The cause of these 
 sounds was working with grea,t fury, for blow on 
 blow fell without a moment s space between. Not a 
 word did he speak, but worked grimly on, hurling 
 himself against the door with a force that shook the 
 walls. 
 
 " Quick ! " I cried. " Open and come out ! " 
 
 " The door is locked," she answered, her voice 
 shaking with excitement. 
 
 " Yes, but unlock it quickly and come forth ! De 
 lay may cost your life ! Quick ! quick ! " I shook the 
 door-knob angrily. 
 
 The maid screamed wildly. " Oh ! he s coming ! 
 he s coming ! " she cried. " See, Madam, see, the 
 door is cracking ! We both shall be murdered ! We 
 both shall be murdered ! " Again she laughed and 
 wept with terror. 
 
 " Silence ! " cried her mistress. I heard her 
 stamp her bare foot upon ,the floor. This was fol 
 lowed immediately by a sharp slap, and the maid 
 lapsed into a whimpering wail that reminded me of 
 the little foreign Queen the night she drove with me 
 to Whitehall. 
 
 " Haste ! has,te ! " I cried again, as I heard the 
 heavy blows continue. " Open, Madam, open ! 
 That door, I hear, is giving way ! " 
 
 " I cannot open, Sir ! But you must make haste 
 if you would save us; the door is splitting, and I fear 
 he means to take my life." Her voice was almost 
 
 227
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 calm, but evidently under great force of will, for it 
 sounded sharp and shrill. 
 
 " My God, Madam ! I know he means to take 
 your life! Banish this modesty, and let me save 
 you ! It it is dark here, Madam." 
 
 I ll swear she laughed, very low, and for but a 
 moment, but laugh she did. " Xo, no, it is not that," 
 she said presently. " The key is not here." 
 
 " Not there ! " The thought sent a chill to my 
 heart. 
 
 " Xo," and her voice shook, " I locked the door 
 and took the key to my room, and when I ran in 
 here I forgot to bring it ! " 
 
 The door creaked louder and louder, the unrelent 
 ing fiend hurling his weight in unabated fury. 
 
 " Where is your room ? Can I get ,the key ? " I 
 felt a cold moisture break out on my forehead 
 again. 
 
 " Xo, no, no ! He is in my room. This is my 
 maid s. Tis the door between that he is breaking 
 down ! " She was incredibly calm for one in her 
 terrible position. She saw and fully realised her 
 danger, but instead of this knowledge driving her 
 frantic with fear, as it would any other woman, it 
 made her cool and steady, prepared to face a des 
 perate situation with a courage that few men can 
 boast. 
 
 I groaned aloud as the horror of her position was 
 forced upon me. " Who can the fiend be ? " flashed 
 
 228
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 through my mind. That his object was murder I 
 could not doubt, for had it been anything less, he 
 would not have been so bold nor determined as to 
 attempt to break down a door to follow her, after the 
 alarm had been given and he knew tha,t assistance 
 was at hand. There she was, shut within four nar 
 row walls, with no chance of escape, and a murder 
 ous ruffian storming at the door, which, most as 
 suredly, must give way ; and there stood I, unable to 
 set her free or get at her would-be assassin. If I 
 had but had a pistol all should have been well I 
 could have blown the lock into pieces ; but I had only 
 my sword, here useless. She trusted in me to take 
 her safely through, and here I was failing miserably, 
 being defeated by some unknown scoundrel that I 
 had not expected, and whose reason for his act I 
 could not comprehend. Failing! failing! failing! 
 Hearing her murdered, when only a door separated 
 me from her ! The thought drove me almost mad, 
 and I, that never before had known fear, now trem 
 bled and turned faint. All this flashed through my 
 mind as swiftly as lightning darts. I thought 
 quickly, oh, how quickly! for my heart was in each 
 thought. 
 
 " Which is the door of your room ? " I shouted, as 
 I heard the creaking oak crack louder a warning 
 that the end was near. 
 
 " The first door to ,the right ; but it is locked ! He 
 entered through the window ! " 
 
 229
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " The window ! " Ah, if I had time I might yet 
 save her ! 
 
 " Yes, the window ! " she called above the ever- 
 increasing noise. 
 
 " Quick ! " I cried. " Move anything heavy 
 against the door, a bed or anything, and hold out 
 for your life ! I shall save you if you can hold 
 out!" 
 
 " Yes, yes ! " she answered. " I trust in you ! " 
 The voice and words came as a spur more potent 
 than all others, as I sprang recklessly along the dark 
 passage to the stairs. 
 
 The thought that it was because of the warning I 
 had given her that she had taken the care to lock her 
 maid s door and take the key flashed reproachfully 
 through my mind, as I dashed down the steps at 
 break-neck speed, and I cursed myself for my cau 
 tion. On the landing I paused long enough to place 
 my fingers between my lips and whistle shrilly, my 
 old signal to Toby. In the hall below-stairs I almost 
 collided with two half-dressed and sorely frightened 
 servants, who at sight of me fled in terror, screaming 
 that I had murdered their mistress, and calling for 
 help. 
 
 " Oh, if I can be in time ! " I groaned between 
 clenched teeth, as I swung the main door open and 
 sprang for.th. Never before had I seemed so slow 
 of foot. I was a laggard, and, though I strained 
 every muscle to force a greater speed, the ground 
 
 230
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 seemed barely to crawl beneath my feet. I felt as 
 in some terrible dream, straining to reach a goal in 
 time, but cramped and retarded by some strange, ma 
 licious force. My head throbbed, my breath came 
 with a great effort and painfully. I could have 
 sobbed like a child with rage as I pictured the creak 
 ing door give way, and saw her writhing in the hands 
 of her assassin. My God ! would I never reach that 
 window? It seemed a year, a decade, a lifetime, 
 since I had left the upper hall, with her sweet voice 
 ringing in my ears ! " I trust in you ! " she had 
 called. And would I fail her? No! Or if I 
 should, I would not see another sun ! I shouted 
 aloud with joy as I beheld the large bow window 
 directly beneath the lattice at which I had seen the 
 sad little face in the moonlight. 
 
 " At last ! " I shouted, and dashed toward a lad 
 der that leaned against the lower window. My 
 hands shook with excitement as I seized the steps 
 and mounted. The lattice above me was partly open, 
 and the cries of the frantic maid came forth dis 
 tinctly. The blows were thundering yet, but with 
 each blow came another, louder and sharper. From 
 this I knew that my warning had been followed 
 something had been placed against the door, which 
 so far had saved it. As I stepped from the ladder 
 and reached for the little window, a hand that held a 
 knife was thrust out quickly, and a savage blow 
 aimed at me. 
 
 231
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 "Ha, dog! " I cried, and seized the wrist. But 
 he twisted it from my grasp with a strength surpris 
 ing, and slammed the window shut. 
 
 Blows still sounded from within, bu,t not on the 
 creaking door. They were short, sharp and fre 
 quent, and were doubtless made by a sword-hilt. 
 Then I heard Toby s voice. 
 
 " Quick ! quick ! open, I say ! " came the gruff old 
 soldier s tones. " Come, come ! am I to be kept 
 much longer ? " One would think him the King of 
 England in a fit of impatience from the authority 
 in his voice. Again came the sharp knocking. 
 " Haste ! haste ! or I must needs use force ! If you 
 would save your skin, obey ! " 
 
 I still stood listening, awaiting the outcome of 
 Toby s action. We had the knave whoever ho 
 was between us, and so long as he was unable to 
 leave the window, he could do no further damage to 
 the door of the maid s room. Martha whimpered a 
 little, but paused as though to listen whenever Toby 
 spoke. No word came from Mistress Heron, except 
 a call to Toby that she was safe. Ah, there was a 
 heart ! Of such quality are heroes made ! iNTo 
 weeping there, nor quavering voice ! Zounds ! her 
 like the world never again shall see ! 
 
 " Come, T do not wish to injure the door ! And 
 if you defy me longer T shall take your life! " The 
 little man s voice was more angry. I could tell by 
 its sharpness that his patience was at an end, and 
 
 232
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 that the fear of damaging thd door would restrain 
 him no longer. 
 
 " Fire the lock, Toby ! " I shouted. " Twill save 
 my breaking this window ! " 
 
 Faith, the place where I stood was not the most 
 desirable position one could wish for either attack or 
 defence. The rounding top of a bow window even 
 though it be a large one is a mighty poor place for 
 a fight, especially when your antagonist is to spring 
 from a casement, the bottom of which is on a level 
 with your breast. After giving my order to Toby, 
 the lack of soundness of my footing warned me to 
 put myself in readiness for what would happen 
 when the little man would burst into the room. The 
 murderous ruffian within would not show fight, I 
 thought that is, to Toby. No, it was more to be 
 expected that he would prefer to face me, for he 
 knew that I was without firearms, and standing upon 
 a most uncertain platform. Had the thought of re 
 treating to the ground occurred to me all would have 
 been well. But retreat is a thing that never has come 
 quickly to me, as it does to some others, for one is so 
 liable to trip in going backward that I had grown 
 accustomed to do very well without this mode of 
 movement. 
 
 " Now, Sir, if you rush out when the door opens 
 I have another pistol for you ! " Toby shouted in 
 warning. Then he called to Mistress Heron : " Be 
 not alarmed, Madam, at the fire ; I am only unlocking 
 
 233
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 the door ! Keep back, now ! " lie growled angrily 
 and I knew lie must be speaking to one of the serv 
 ants. " If you stand there you may be hurt ! Yes, 
 that is better ! Ready, Sir ? " 
 
 " Yes, Toby ! Come on ! " I crouched as low 
 and close to the house as possible, keeping well to 
 one side of the casement to avoid a stab from the 
 murderous-look ing knife that I had escaped a few 
 moments before. 
 
 Crash ! came the sound of the pistol. The maid 
 screamed loudly, the window above me shook a little. 
 I heard a moving within, as though the knave was 
 preparing to come forth. Then came another crash, 
 not of a pistol this time, but of a weight hurled 
 against a door with a shattered lock. I bent my arm 
 Jo protect my head and to grapple with the fugitive. 
 Another crash against the door the window above 
 my head flew open a blade flashed in the last rays 
 of the setting moon I caught a wrist as hard as 
 steel and the next moment was struggling savagely 
 with a black, lithe form that twisted like a snake, 
 and fought to free the hand that held .the knife. T^Tot 
 a word did my antagonist utter, but once I caught a 
 gleam of white teeth beneath a black masque, as his 
 face came for an instant into a ray of moonlight. 
 
 "Twist him round, Sir!" Toby growled, thrust 
 ing his head without. " A little more, Sir, and I 
 can reach him ! " 
 
 But my antagonist also heard these directions, and 
 
 234
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 seemed not inclined to make himself a willing victim 
 to the butt of Toby s pistol, which gleamed above 
 our heads. He bent low, wrapped his free arm 
 around my waist, contrived to get his foot against 
 the side of the house, and hurled himself recklessly 
 forward. There seemed to be but little difference 
 in our strength I had a small advantage in this re 
 spect, I think; but he was more agile, and with his 
 foot against the wall had no great difficulty in forc 
 ing me back. I felt my foot slip saw Toby lean 
 still farther forward and grasp wildly a,t the hand 
 with the knife saw the window next to where we 
 fought fly open and a white figure lean far out, 
 wring her hands, and shout to Toby : " Make haste ! 
 Make haste! Quick! he will be killed! Merciful 
 Heaven, save him ! " 
 
 " Hold on, Sir ! " Toby growled, and drew his 
 sword. 
 
 My foot struck the little railing that stood about 
 a foot high around the edge of our slippery platform. 
 Toby s blade flashed as he drew it back to lunge. My 
 antagonist again pressed forward ; my balance was 
 lost, and we both pitched over the railing into the 
 darkness below, struggling furiously as we fell. In 
 ,the air I managed to turn him that he would not fall 
 fairly upon me. Then an oath rolled out from 
 Toby, a groan from Mistress Heron, and the earth 
 sprang up out of the darkness and crashed against 
 us with a blaze of stars. . . . 
 
 235
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 A moment of darkness the form with which I 
 was locked rolled from me I felt a hand feeling 
 over my heart footsteps, that sounded as from a 
 vast distance, came hastily down the ladder fingers 
 pressed between my ribs, as though well to mark the 
 exact spot of ,the beating a blade, which seemed 
 huge and crooked, flashed between the starry sky and 
 me. . . . My scattered senses then came back, and 
 I shifted quickly to one side. I felt in my side ,the 
 sharp bite of steel then came a rush of feet a mo 
 ment later a pistol shot rang out more running, 
 which ended in a storm of oaths at the edge of the 
 trees near-by. 
 
 I sat up, leaning upon my left arm, but it pained 
 malignantly and forced me to stagger to my feet. I 
 could feel the warm blood trickling down my side to 
 my waist-belt. It felt soothing, so I leaned against 
 the great bow window and gazed up at the stars, 
 wondering at the strange sounds that floated down 
 from the windows above me. Some one was weep 
 ing wildly, a door banged, and more distant voices 
 rose in excited shoutings. A light now streamed 
 from the window of the maid s room, and then 
 yes, I could swear to that voice " Button that, and 
 stop weeping at once ! " The sobbing became more 
 subdued it sounded far off and soothing. 
 
 " Oh, you will be murdered, Mistress ! Please, 
 Madam, don t go ! " 
 
 " Silence, ingrate ! He has given his life for me ! 
 
 236
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 Haste ! " The voice was strained and trembling, and 
 seemed to catch in ,the beautiful throat that spoke the 
 words. 
 
 " But you will be murdered ! Oh ! Mistress ! 
 Mistress ! " 
 
 " ISTow who will be murdered ? " I muttered, my 
 hand pressed to my head. " Not Mistress Heron, by 
 Heaven! No, not while Mark Everard wears a 
 sword ! " I staggered along the wall in ,the direc 
 tion of the main entrance. The house seemed quar 
 relsome, and struck me most cruelly every few paces 
 I took. The stars were gay, for they whirled mer 
 rily around the sky and dipped gracefully to the 
 earth, which rose to meet them, harmoniously keep 
 ing time with the strange beating within my head. 
 I walked over hills and through hollows, missing 
 firm ground where I expected it, and suddenly en 
 countering it when I thought ,to step into the trough. 
 It rocked and rolled surprisingly. Twas a sea of 
 earth, tossing most boisterously. At every encounter 
 with the house something would bite me in the side, 
 and then my left arm would ache most ridiculously. 
 Even my sword my oldest companion and best 
 friend was absurdly provoking. It persisted in 
 conducting itself like a thing of inexperience. It 
 seemed to be in league with the wall. With every 
 other step I took it would insert itself between my 
 legs and hurl me forward or against the stones 
 against those vicious stones that held the knives. 
 
 237
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 Once I fell upon a rolling wave of earth and had a 
 most ludicrous time in regaining my feet, for the 
 ground heaved and rocked so absurdly that it turned 
 me light at head. Faith, I should have despaired 
 of reaching the door that night, and should have 
 been content to sleep upon that soft wave that rocked 
 me so soothingly had it not been for the words that 
 kept ringing in my ears. 
 
 " You will be murdered, Mistress ! You will bo 
 murdered, Mistress ! " How clearly they rang, even 
 though they did come from an almost incredible dis 
 tance ! They spurred me on when I had become dis 
 couraged, and was sore tempted to rest in comfort 
 until the storm had passed. 
 
 " Mispress Heron murdered ! Ha ! ha ! No, not 
 while Mark Everard wears a sword ! " I cried. But 
 my voice was lost in the roaring of the waves 
 those strange green waves that dashed against the 
 house and broke into a spray of stars. " Zounds ! 
 she shall not be murdered if the whole earth upse,t ! 
 I trust in you, she said. Ha ! and shall I fail her ? 
 Not while I wear a sword, even if it is unaccount 
 ably mischievous and provoking." 
 
 I plunged ahead over the rolling sea. Ah! there 
 were the steps. They sprang forward to meet me. 
 
 " A little impulse and rough, my friends ! " I 
 admonished, as I picked myself up from where the 
 top one had thrown me. 
 
 The door-knob avoided my hand, and dodged play- 
 
 238
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 fully from side to side, and it took me a moment or 
 two ere I became used to its motions. But finally 
 I seized it and smiled at i,ts fruitless efforts to break 
 loose again. 
 
 " She shall not be murdered while Mark Everard 
 wears a sword ! " I shouted, and swung the door open 
 and lurched into the room. 
 
 Zounds ! even the house within was monstrous 
 playful and unsteady. The floor rolled as unevenly 
 as the lawn without. The door slammed shut be 
 hind me, and I turned to see who had dared to 
 wrench it so roughly from my grasp. No one was 
 in sight, and I saw from the waves running along 
 the walls that the door itself was responsible. Many 
 more candles had been placed upon the table since I 
 left the room a few moments before. Zooks ! the 
 table was one mass of lights playful, graceful lights 
 that danced right merrily, twisting in and out in 
 soot/hing evolutions. But I had no leisure to watch 
 the pretty scene, for some one was in danger of being 
 murdered some one with a voice like music and a 
 heart of kindness some one that trusted in me to 
 save her. There could be no dallying to gaze upon 
 a table full of mad candles, even though their glitter 
 was alluring. T moved on with uncertain steps 
 toward the bronze Sultana standing upon the post at 
 the foot of the stairs. Ah ! now I saw the cause of 
 all the wild disturbance. She danced slowly and 
 gracefully upon her little stage, bending her body 
 
 239
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 from side to side in most surprising curves, and 
 waving her hand, full of many-coloured lights, in 
 circles overhead. That spray of candles was her 
 wand, I saw. She must be stopped then all would 
 be well. I stepped over the uncertain floor toward 
 her. I raised my hand and seized her by the ankle. 
 My arm pained me cruelly as I raised it, but I was 
 determined to stop this dizzy whirl. Zooks! she 
 uttered a low cry as I caught her a sympathetic lit 
 tle cry that was half a sob. I looked up at her in 
 surprise. Her head was held high, and she still 
 waved her wand of lights. Again I heard the cry: 
 " You are killed ! You are killed ! " it sobbed very 
 low. 
 
 " Who is killed ? " I asked, and drew my sword. 
 " Not Mistress Heron ! " My throat ached and 
 my breath came with an effort. I stared wonder- 
 ingly at the bronze figure, but it paid no heed to 
 me. 
 
 " Oh, noble, noble soul ! You have given your 
 life for mine ! " 
 
 I looked around the room, deeply puzzled. Then 
 I felt something upon my shoulder. I turned my 
 eyes to it, and beheld a hand a delicate white hand 
 to which an arm was attached, and at the end of the 
 arm a figure in a long, loose robe. I followed the 
 form to ,the feet, and saw that it was standing upon 
 the first step of the stairs. My eyes wandered back 
 to the face. Long, waving, dark brown hair fell 
 
 240
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 over the shoulders and cheeks. I leaned forward 
 and peered into the strangely moving face. 
 
 " A noble gentleman ! " 
 
 Zounds ! how could I ever mistake that voice ? 
 there was none other like it in the world ! 
 
 " Pardon, Madam," I said thickly, leaning my 
 sword against my leg and reaching for my hat. But 
 my hand only caught my hair; by some strange 
 chance my hat was gone. " Really, Madam, I did 
 not see you. I thought it was the Sultana that 
 spoke. A thousand apologies for my seeming rude 
 ness ! But, you see, the house rocks so absurdly that 
 it has made my head to swim. Ha! ha! tis a 
 strange storm, to be sure." 
 
 " Oh, God! " she groaned. " And all for me! " 
 She vanished from where she stood, and pres 
 ently I felt something thrust against the backs of 
 my knees, and as they treacherously gave way an 
 arm was gently pressed across my shoulders, and 
 I sank softly, oh, how softly! into a great arm 
 chair. 
 
 " Oh, Madam ! " I muttered, " this is absurd, quite 
 absurd ! " I struggled to rise, but she gently 
 pressed me back. 
 
 " Please do not move ! Oh, do not move ! There, 
 there ! to please me ! " 
 
 " But you stand while T sit ! "Pis absurd, quite 
 absurd ! And you are in trouble. I heard you 
 weeping but now. May not I serve you ? " 
 
 16 241
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 I heard her stifle a sob and felt her fingers at my 
 throat, loosening my band. And all the while she 
 continued to speak in a soothing, broken voice, 
 sweeter .than anything I ever heard before. Twas 
 such a novel experience that I had not the courage to 
 protest, but lay still and watched that lovely face, 
 full of tenderness, as she leaned before me like some 
 glorious vision. I felt very faint now and tired, so 
 I closed my eyes and smiled contentedly as I heard 
 her give an order for some one to fetch wine at 
 once. She spoke to me as to a petted child, and I 
 lay wondering that such gentleness could live in a 
 world of blows. Then I felt her hand shudder as it 
 rested upon my shoulder, and she drew her breath 
 sharply, as though she were hurt. 
 
 I sprang upright in my seat. " Where ? Who is 
 it ? " I cried, and raised my point. 
 
 She only wept softly and gently pressed me back 
 again. " Please, please, for me, be still ! " she 
 pleaded in my ear. 
 
 " But but you are hurt, or alarmed ! I fel,t you 
 tremble ! " 
 
 " No, no ! No, no ! " She turned her face away. 
 
 I put my hand stealthily to my side. It camo 
 away wet and sticky. I drew my coat more to the 
 front, that she might not see. 
 
 " Here, take this," she said tenderly, and held a 
 wineglass to my lips. 
 
 I drank greedily, for my throat was parched. 
 
 242
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 A door opened very softly. I turned my eyes 
 toward the sound, as did the lady. The Earl of 
 Cadwaller glided from the chamber of death, rolling 
 unnaturally and keeping time with the bronze Sul 
 tana. In his hand he held something white, which I 
 soon made out to be his ruffles. He started and drew 
 back in alarm when he saw us, as did Mistress Heron 
 at sight of him. The servant took the glass from 
 the hand of his Mistress and retired to a little dis 
 tance, keeping his gaze fixed on me. Cadwaller s 
 eyes were wild, and hair disheveled far from being 
 the calm, self-possessed and sneering nobleman of an 
 hour before. As he stared at me, however, his face 
 changed from its look of fear to one of malignant 
 hate. I saw his eyes and mouth change slowly as he 
 .took in the situation. The eyes became smaller and 
 more fiery, until they looked like glowing coals, the 
 mouth grew firmer and slowly drew back at the cor 
 ners, until loose-lipped terror was transformed into 
 snarling exultation. 
 
 " You may withdraw," he said hoarsely to the 
 servant. 
 
 " Stay ! " the lady commanded, as. the man turned 
 to go. 
 
 " And you also, Madam," the Earl continued. 
 " Tis late for you to be up, and this fellow and I 
 have business to transact." 
 
 " Since when, my Lord, have T taken orders from 
 you ? Master Everard is sore wounded and cannot 
 
 243
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 talk with you. James, call some one to aid you in 
 assisting Master Everard to his room." 
 
 " Oh, ho ! " said hi* Lordship, peering at her 
 closely. " So, ho! " He stroked his jaw for a mo 
 ment, his look becoming more hateful as he leaned 
 forward and rocked in time with the candles. " Our 
 business will require no word?, and the interview 
 will not be to your liking, I make no doubt. Come, 
 stand aside ! " He reached a waving arm toward 
 her, but she shuddered and drew back nearer .to me. 
 
 The wine tingled through my veins and drove out 
 the chills that were creeping in. I smiled at his 
 Lordship, and rose with a bow. " You see, Sir," I 
 said, resting upon the back of the chair, Mistress 
 Heron is of no mind to accept your Lordship s or 
 ders; and, as you seem determined to enforce your 
 will, I find it necessary to act as arbitrator. I decide 
 against you, Sir, and warn you to desist " (I paused 
 for breath) " in your persecution of this lady or I 
 shall be compelled to drive you hence." 
 
 He rolled about most ludicrously and laughed 
 hoarsely. Then he drew his sword and stepped for 
 ward, his blade curving mos,t provokingly as he 
 brought it up to guard. 
 
 " For shame ! " cries the lady. " Coward ! would 
 you kill a dying man \ " And, despite my efforts 
 to prevent her, she stepped before me, her arm below 
 mine in support. 
 
 " Xay, Madam," I muttered thickly, " permit me. 
 
 244
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 I shall rid the world of a villain, if you will pardon 
 the execution in your presence." 
 
 Cadwaller laughed again. " Ha ! you are brave, 
 Master Everard ; you take refuge behind petticoats ! 
 Slife ! a brave soldier ! " 
 
 " You see now, Madam, how urgent is the mat 
 ter. His Lordship would rest. Pray pardon me." 
 I attempted to free myself, but she clung to me and 
 drew back the left side of my coat ere I could pre 
 vent. 
 
 " See, coward, with whom you would fight ! 
 Shame, my Lord ! Behold that gash, Master Cow 
 ard, and blush for the words you have spoken to the 
 noblest heart in England ! " 
 
 " Ah, Madam, tis nothing ! Permit me I 
 pray ! " The room danced more wildly as I looked 
 down at her little white hand holding the coat back 
 from the bloody gash in the clothing, from which 
 great clots of blood were bulging. 
 
 She was stronger than I, and held me fast. 
 
 " This is the man that you would fight the man 
 that has been foully murdered in saving me from the 
 hands of an assassin while you slept, my Lord ! See, 
 he can scarce hold his sword ! " 
 
 " Oh, I protest ! I protest ! Tis absurd quite 
 absurd ! Engarde, my Lord ! " 
 
 " Tis not my wish that he should hold his sword, 
 Madam," Cadwaller sneered. 
 
 " Coward ! " she cried. 
 
 245
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 He shrugged his shoulders. " Doubtless, but I 
 shall assist him to pass. Stand aside ! " 
 
 My blade had become monstrous heavy, and wrig 
 gled like a snake as I again raised it, and, gently 
 putting the lady from me, lurched to one side and 
 got my back against the rocking post. Cadwaller 
 made a savage lunge before I was in position, but by 
 instinct more than by reason I put it aside with my 
 fantastic blade. The lady screamed, called for help 
 and attempted to step between us; but my Lord 
 changed position and roughly thrust her back, then 
 sharply engaged with me. My old steel, though it 
 was playing me strange tricks, forgot not its duty, 
 for it sprang to meet his every trust. 
 
 " Ha ! ha ! my Lord ! " I laughed, " your arm 
 has become less sore. You fight well very well 
 for one so sorely hurt." My breath came in 
 gasps, and with great difficulty. The room whirled 
 swiftly, and I had much ado to keep my hold on the 
 post with my left hand. It swung and twisted and 
 struck me so cruelly that I could have cried out 
 with rage. We fought for an hour, a day, for ages, 
 and still the swords clicked with a force that almost 
 hurled me from my feet. I saw Mistress Heron in 
 the far, far distance. She was retreating backward, 
 very stealthily, and she waved gracefully, like a deli 
 cate flower, as she faded in the red mist tha,t came 
 floating through the room. Her face was very anx 
 ious and her eyes wide, very wide, and full of pity. 
 
 246
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 Her hand was griped into her wavy hair, where it 
 clutched painfully. She seemed to move with the 
 undulations of the floor, and faded gradually behind 
 my Lord Cadwaller. His Lordship fought on, a 
 little wildly now, and he swore most foully when a 
 twist in my sword gave his wrist a wrench. 
 
 "Ha! ha! my Lord is injured!" I laughed. 
 " You are daring to play with such tools, Sir ! " 
 
 An arm flashed in front of the Earl s neck, then 
 wrapped around it. His poin,t sank to the floor, and 
 he cursed unreasonably as he shook himself free and 
 threw the lady from him. 
 
 " Now I shall kill you, dog ! " I gasped. " You 
 are deserving of no consideration ! Haste, Mas 
 ter Spaniel ! " I made a s\vift lunge, but the post 
 sprang back and jerked me with it. I swore and 
 gave another lunge, but my side seemed to split, and 
 it threw me far to the left. The candles upon the 
 table rushed toward me. I heard Cadwaller laugh, 
 and saw his blade flash at me, but I wearily put it 
 aside as the steps of the stairs came up against me. 
 
 " I am sorry Madam, but the Sultana has 
 cast a spell upon me." 
 
 Again the steel flashed toward my chest, but I 
 caught it with a great shock upon my hilt. 
 
 " Toby will save you," I gasped, and rolled to 
 the restful floor. 
 
 There was a great noise of rushing feet, an oath, a 
 loud trembling call from her for help, and a confused 
 
 247
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 gabbling of servants. I felt my sword snatched 
 from my hand, and something brushed against my 
 cheek. 
 
 " Oh, cowards ! cowards all ! Seize him ! 
 Seize him ! " 
 
 I turned my head and glanced along the floor until 
 I beheld Cadwaller. My eyes followed his form 
 from the fee,t up, and finally rested upon the hand 
 some, sneering face that now was blazing with a fire 
 of fury. A servant rushed toward him as I looked, 
 but my Lord dealt him a back-hand blow upon the 
 arm with the flat of his sword, and the fellow sneaked 
 off, whining and rubbing the bruise. 
 
 " Help ! help ! " again called Mistress Heron. 
 The voice came from very near me, and again some 
 thing brushed against my cheek. I stared at the soft 
 thing that so strangely had caressed me, and dis 
 covered that it was- a cloth. I followed it up, and 
 came to the conclusion that it was a woman s gown 
 yes, it was hers, for there was that wavy hair at the 
 top. Most surprising, to be sure ! 
 
 " Come, Mistress, this folly must cease ! You 
 were not made to play the Amazon. Away from 
 there until I despatch your cringing paramour." 
 
 " Oh ! " she cried sharply, and started back a 
 little. 
 
 " Ha ! ha ! I struck the mark, it would seem ! " 
 
 " Coward ! " 
 
 I sprang up quickly, whon I grasped the situation, 
 
 248
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 but my side stabbed and stabbed, and took my 
 breath away. I was unable to get above a half-sit 
 ting position, leaning with my elbow upon the first 
 s,tep, to which I clung to keep from falling. 
 
 " Come away, Mistress Amazon ! " Cadwaller 
 shouted angrily. " You but waste time ; his doom 
 i? sealed ! " 
 
 " You first must murder me, my Lord Cadwal 
 ler!" 
 
 Zounds! I knew that blade that long and heavy 
 blade, .that took two slender, snow-white hands to 
 hold it out toward that sneering, hateful face. Slife ! 
 she was fighting for me. Fighting for me! a 
 woman fighting for Mark Everard ! Monstrous ! I 
 struggled almost to my feet, swayed from side to 
 side and finally collapsed at her feet, cursing my 
 failing strength. 
 
 Cadwaller laughed while I struggled. " I now 
 shall despatch your grovelling paramour! he 
 hissed, then repeated : " your paramour ! " He 
 quickly stepped forward and aimed his point at me. 
 She struck at it sharply and knocked the blade far 
 wide. 
 
 " Ha ! dog ! you fight a woman ! Brave work, 
 scoundrel ! " I choked out, and crawled toward him. 
 
 But she stepped before me and aimed a sweeping 
 blow at the coward s head. He struck it aside as 
 though it had been a reed, and sent it whirling to 
 the floor. The lady screamed and clasped her hands 
 
 249
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 before her. The knave sprang toward me and drew 
 back his blade to s,trike. 
 
 " I am first ! " she cried, with a catch in her 
 voice, and threw herself upon her knees between us. 
 
 " Ha, shameless ! come away from there ! You 
 are not for the slaughter, my fine lady ! " He 
 seized her arm with his free hand and roughly pulled 
 her struggling to him. 
 
 " Oil, God ! " she screamed, striking wildly. 
 " Cowards, save him ! save him ! He will murder 
 him before my eyes ! Save him, or I will kill you 
 all ! Quick ! quick help me ! Oh, God ! God 
 where is Toby ? Toby ! Toby ! Toby ! your master 
 is being murdered ! Oh, Toby ! Quick ! quick ! 
 Devil ! Fiend ! Devil ! Oh, God, save him ! Is there 
 no other man in the world ? " She screamed, 
 scratched, and even bit at her persecutor, while I 
 cursed, raved, struggled to my feet and fell again. 
 " Devil ! Murderer ! Oh, God, has all the world for 
 saken him? Toby! Toby! Toby! Oh, God! God! 
 God ! Where, where is Toby ? " 
 
 " Here, Madam ! " The door flew open, then 
 crashed shut. " The devil ! " rolled out in a voice 
 of thunder, and I heard a blade shriek from the speed 
 wi.th which it left its scabbard. 
 
 " Don t kill him, Toby; he s mine! " I gasped, 
 again raising myself upon my elbow. 
 
 The little man rushed upon the Earl and his heroic 
 little antagonist. She now was struggling to break 
 
 250
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 loose, but the coward held her fast and thrust her 
 between himself and Toby s flashing steel. She 
 scratched like a tigress, missing no chance of inflict 
 ing pain or humiliation. Her breath came in gasps, 
 her face was white and drawn, her hair flying 
 wildly, her lips firm with the determination of a no 
 ble soul, her eyes flashing fire, but with every oppor 
 tunity turning a pitying glance to me, as though 
 measuring the distance that still kept me beyond the 
 swing of the fatal sword. Zounds ! what a woman ! 
 
 Toby s blade stopped in a downward stroke, in 
 which ,the flat side was turned to his Lordship s head, 
 for the contemptible coward stooped behind the lady. 
 The little man smothered an oath and shifted his 
 grasp on a pistol from handle to muzzle. Clouded as 
 was my brain, I at once divined his purpose. He 
 lowered his point and stepped within the striking dis 
 tance of Caldwaller s sword. The other saw the op 
 portunity and flashed forward, hurling himself with 
 a force sufficient to drive his sword up to the hilt 
 through Toby s breast if Toby had remained idle. 
 Wha.t really did happen was quite different. Toby s 
 long blade struck his Lordship s to the floor held it 
 there slid along with a whistle until the two hilts 
 crashed together ; the pistol in the left hand disap 
 peared, handle first, over Mistress Heron s shoulder 
 thuck ! came a blow and the Earl of Cadwaller 
 sank to the floor in a shapeless heap. 
 " Thank God ! " I heard the lady gasp. 
 
 251
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 Then my head went to the floor again. . . . 
 
 There was a great confusion of voices; someone 
 rolled me over until I rested upon my back; wine 
 was poured down my throat until I was almost 
 strangled ; water ran cold over my wounded side, 
 smarting shrewdly and at last I made out some 
 words coming from directly above me. 
 
 " Oh, it is terrible ! terrible ! Has he ever been 
 wounded so badly before ? " 
 
 " Yes, Madam, yes, ,to be sure," came gruffly from 
 my side. " A little more steady, Madam, if you 
 please, or the drip from the candle will strike him. 
 Thank you, that is better." 
 
 " But can he, can he live with that great cut in his 
 poor side? And he fought so nobly, when he could 
 scarce lift lift his sword." A hot drop fell upon 
 my cheek. 
 
 I groaned as I tried to open my eyes, but could not. 
 
 Toby cleared his throat very noisily. " Yes, Mad 
 am, he ll soon recover. He s been cu,t up worse 
 than this, and been in the saddle twelve hours after. 
 You ve saved the best gentleman in the world, 
 Madam, that s what you have done, and I never 
 can repay the the debt I owe you, Madam." 
 Again he cleared his throat roughly, after which a 
 great tearing of linen took place. 
 
 " Thank thank God if I have ! " Another hot 
 drop fell upon my cheek. 
 
 This was strange, monstrous strange, that any 
 
 252
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 one would weep over me ! Tears never before 
 had fallen for Mark Everard! Tears for Mark 
 Everard, whose sword was the father of more curses 
 than prayers ! For Mark Everard, the swaggering 
 adventurer and duellist ! Preposterous ! Zooks ! 
 they seemed to steal what I always had considered my 
 manhood. Twas necessary that they should cease. 
 
 " Pardon, Madam," I muttered, struggling with a 
 great drowsiness that was stealing over me, " but do 
 no,t be troubled for me. Your own position 
 causes me much more anxiety than this scratch. 
 Pray, be composed ; in the morning I shall be 
 well, and shall continue where to-night I so 
 miserably have failed." 
 
 I felt her body shake with a smothered sob, and 
 then I knew for the first time that my head was rest 
 ing in her lap. 
 
 Toby tied on his temporary bandages while I 
 spoke. " There," he said suddenly, " fetch me that 
 chair." 
 
 Two men, of whose presence I had not known, hast 
 ened forward with the arm-chair. 
 
 " No, not that ! " I gasped. " No chair for me ! 
 You would think me a I had intended to say 
 
 " woman," but the thought of .the noble lady beside 
 me suddenly checked my tongue. 
 
 " A what ? " she whispered, bending down until 
 her soft hair swept my cheeks. 
 
 My mood favoured confession. " I was about to 
 
 253
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 say woman, but after this night .the word has 
 a different meaning." Waves of sleep rushed 
 into my head. 
 
 " And you are a hero," she whispered. 
 
 And then I floated off through billo\vy space. 
 
 254
 
 CHAPTEK XV. 
 
 THE sun was shining brightly across the foot of 
 my bed, and chasing elusive little shadows thrown 
 from the leaves of the tree beside the window. Up 
 and down, across and back, ran the shadows, the 
 golden spots ever at their heels, but never quite 
 catching their subtile prey. The chase became inter 
 esting, then almost exciting, and finally bewildering, 
 as the little dark spots dodged, vanished and reap 
 peared, constantly on the move, darting hither and 
 thither, weaving fantastic designs with their inter 
 mingled ways. One large spot finally caught my 
 eye. He was more interesting than his fellows. 
 There was more dignity in his movements, more grace 
 in the way he avoided the thrusts of the golden blade 
 that followed him, and more regularity in his course. 
 Back and forth he moved, making no effort to avoid 
 his little comrades. He trampled them under foot 
 without a halt or apparent compunction. Some 
 times he came to the middle of the bed, stopped 
 and retraced his steps ; sometimes he went all the 
 way across, then wandered back and partly crossed 
 the floor; sometimes lie rushed in haste across the 
 bed with a speed that forced him up the wall. Zooks ! 
 twas a contest of no little spirit. I blinked and 
 
 255
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 watched every move. Then he was almost quiet for 
 a time; he moved lazily back and forth across the 
 bed, the ray fencing easily and waiting a good open 
 ing. I held my breath lest I should frighten them 
 away. Presently, without a moment s warning, the 
 ray sprang forward. Back jumped the shadow, 
 rushed up the wall, doubled beautifully and sprang 
 to the floor without a sound. 
 
 " Mighty well done, my boy ! " I approved. 
 
 " Oh ! " came a little startled cry from beside me, 
 and a book fell to the floor. 
 
 I turned my head toward the spot whence the ex 
 clamation had come, and caught my breath in sur 
 prise. There, seated in the arm-chair from the hall 
 below, sat Mistress Heron, her face a little pale and 
 her eyes wide with surprise, as she stared at me as 
 though I had been a ghost. I blinked and rubbed 
 my eyes to make sure that I was not dreaming. It 
 was no dream. There she sat, her hands clasped be 
 fore her, her lips parted just enough to show a row of 
 shining pearls, and her bosom moving quickly. Her 
 whole pose bespoke alarm or deep anxiety. The 
 situation was to say the least most, unusual and 
 perplexing. 
 
 " Will you take some wine ? " she asked very 
 quietly, putting her hand upon my forehead. 
 
 " Zooks ! " I muttered to myself, " am I mad ? " 
 Aloud I said : " Really, Madam, I I this is 
 well I don t quite understand." I felt like a fool, 
 
 256
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 and feared lest I should betray my madness by my 
 speech. 
 
 " There, there ; you must not talk," she warned. 
 
 " Must not talk ? " I puzzled, as she stepped to the 
 table and poured out a brimming glass of wine. 
 " Zooks ! what a woman ! " I whispered within me, 
 as she came smilingly to the bedside, her finger to her 
 lip a warning that I was not to speak. 
 
 " "N"ow you must be very good and try obedience, 
 merely as a change. My first order is : you must 
 not talk nor move. Twill be difficult to obey me, I 
 know, but I must be very severe. At the first move 
 from you, I shall cry : Halt ! But I shall not 
 apologise for saying it, as a friend of mine did, once 
 upon a time, as the fable says." 
 
 " A friend of mine," I repeated, and a thrill ran 
 through me as she inserted her slender fingers be 
 tween my head and the pillow, attempting to raise me 
 that I might drink of the wine. 
 
 I raised myself quickly to my elbow, but uttered 
 an exclamation as a pain shot through me. 
 
 " Oh, how independent we are ! " she cried. 
 u But you must not do that. And I scarcely had 
 finished telling you not to move." 
 
 " But- 
 
 " Silence, Sir ! Dear, dear ! you break my every 
 order the moment I give it. Now drink." 
 
 A second command was not necessary, for my 
 tongue was parched. 
 
 17 2 57
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " I thank you so, so much," I smiled as she took 
 the glass from me. " You are so good. But 
 
 She put her hand over my mouth. " I like praise, 
 but I must stop you when you commence to find fault. 
 The moment you say but/ my hand shall go over 
 your mouth." 
 
 A reply came to my lips, but I checked it as I 
 thought of her position and saint-like kindness. 
 " Zounds ! " I muttered, " this is no woman ; she is 
 an angel ! The form and face of a goddess, a heart 
 all kindness, a hero s courage, and a sweet native in 
 nocence walking hand in hand with a rare knowl 
 edge ! " I closed my eyes that she might not misin 
 terpret the admiration shining in them. Such kind 
 ness was beyond my understanding. And to have it 
 come from a woman, but made it all the more remark 
 able. For I always had thought of them as witless, 
 thoughtless, soulless creatures that thought of naught 
 but power, intrigue and the gratification of vanity. 
 My very ignorance of .them had made me to think I 
 knew them. I had thought them all of a feather, 
 from the barmaid to the princess, differing but in 
 degree and opportunity. Alas, alas ! how far, how 
 absurdly far, from the wholesome truth ! 
 
 The wine now began to revive my memory. 
 " What time is it ? " I asked. 
 
 " Between five and six o clock." 
 
 " Between five and six ! And in the afternoon ? " 
 
 258
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " Now, now, now, do be calm ! There is no cause 
 for such excitement ! " 
 
 " But " 
 
 " Tut, tut, tut ! Have I not warned you against 
 using that word ? If you will obey me and remain 
 quiet, I shall tell you all, otherwise, I shall vanish 
 and leave your disobedient mind in darkness. Make 
 your choice, Sir." 
 
 " You have me at your mercy ; I must surrender," 
 I smiled. 
 
 " At last ! " She clapped her hands. " This is 
 indeed a victory. Now listen. 
 
 " When Toby and two of your guardsmen carried 
 you here from the hall below, the little man at once 
 went to take care of that that hateful beast, Lord 
 Cadwaller. Toby took him to his room, locked the 
 door and put the key in his pocket. Then he returned 
 to his master, whom he made very comfortable. 
 After that, he commanded me to repeat a very pretty 
 story to all the servants which I did, word for word, 
 at his dictation. The story was, in effect, that the 
 Earl of Cadwaller had carried me off at sunrise this 
 morning. To be sure, the sun had not risen when I 
 told them of my departure, but they were made fully 
 to understand." 
 
 " But what ? " I puzzled. 
 
 " Halt, Sir ! Not another move ! " She glanced 
 threateningly toward the door and my head sank 
 back upon the pillow. 
 
 259
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " Then Toby ordered me to bed, and I obeyed with 
 a meekness surprising. His order was that I should 
 not leave my room until he should give me permis 
 sion. Some hours after I retired I was awakened 
 by a tramping of feet beneath my window, and this 
 was immediately followed by a vast lot of talking in 
 rough voices. Men then entered the house, came up 
 stairs, slammed doors, swore, and finally departed. 
 
 About half an hour after this I heard them mount 
 and ride off. I waited in an agony of suspense until 
 Toby at last came to my door and told me all danger 
 was past for the present." 
 
 " Yes, yes ! and who are they ? " 
 
 " Servants of his Lordship who lay bound and 
 gagged in his room." She laughed softly. " You 
 may well be proud of your little Toby, for never be 
 fore were mas,ter and man so well suited." 
 
 " But the coach and coachman ? Did not Cad- 
 waller s servant come with the others ? And did he 
 not seek the coach ? " 
 
 "Dear, dear! you do Toby scant justice. The 
 coach was driven through the gateway, tha,t the tracks 
 might be seen turning into the road ; from there it 
 was driven some miles and re-entered the park by the 
 rear gate ; the horses were .tied in an unfrequented 
 place among the trees and lo, all traces of my Lord 
 had disappeared." 
 
 " Except the coachman." 
 
 " Excepting the coachman, whom Toby at once 
 
 260
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 treated as he had already treated the Earl. Yes, yes, 
 you may well be proud of Toby; he is a little 
 genius ! " She clapped her hands and laughed like a 
 child. 
 
 "AndCadwaller?" I asked. 
 
 " His gag and bonds have been removed, but he re 
 mains locked in his room, swearing profusely, but 
 quite harmless. Oh, I have an interesting house 
 hold ! " 
 
 There was a pause for some time, as I formed the 
 question I was about to ask. " And your father ? " I 
 said presently. 
 
 A shadow passed over her face, and she raised her 
 eyes and looked steadily at the wall while she an 
 swered. " Yes, I know. Poor old father ! For 
 years he has dreaded such an end. A few months 
 ago he had one of those terrible strokes, and he said 
 then that he could not survive another. Believe me, 
 Sir, I feel sorrow for his death, for he was my father, 
 with all his failings. I do not think he ever loved 
 me, but he was very proud, and wished to see me in a 
 high position. He never rightly understood me, and 
 his harshness was due to the fact that he considered 
 me regardless of his wishes and perverse in my ideals. 
 T could not help it. T am as I was born ; neither 
 better nor worse. Tt is not my fault that T hate 
 courts, pomp and all that so many think the crown of 
 all ambition. T know T have many faults; but 
 surely T am not wrong in everything. My poor 
 
 261
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 father mistook my failings for deliberate attacks 
 upon his judgment." She shook her head sadly. 
 u I know my faults, but I am as I was made, and no 
 power in the world not even if it took my life 
 could ever have forced me to gratify liis wish con 
 cerning Lord Cadwaller." Her eyes slowly filled 
 with tears. " He died before his dearest wish was 
 defeated. Though I feel sorrow for his death, and 
 though it may be unnatural in me to say so, I be 
 lieve it! is better so God forgive me if I am to 
 blame!" She turned her face from me, and her 
 body shook with a suppressed sobbing. 
 
 I said nothing, but lay still, watching the beauti 
 ful, bent form. She was right. She was real. 
 Here was no senseless affectation such as one might 
 expect from even a fairly honest person .in the same 
 circumstances. I had noted her father s shameless 
 harsh treatment of his noble daughter before stran 
 gers, and doubted not that it was even more unkind 
 when they were alone. Her plain outspokenness 
 was unusual, doubtless, but to me it was incompar 
 ably more commandable than false demonstrations 
 of a regret that could not be felt. Under the cir 
 cumstances, a heartbroken sorrow would have been 
 mere idle show the conventionality of a weaker 
 soul. Doubtless she knew nothing of Sir Alfred s 
 sudden turning from Cadwaller, when he had been 
 made aware of the degradation the latter had planned 
 for him. But this could have no decided effect upon 
 
 262
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 Sir Alfred s character. His sudden hatred for the 
 Earl was caused, not by any feeling of affection for 
 his daughter, but by the insult offered to his pride. 
 
 Presently she looked up, wiping her eyes. " I 
 have confessed to you, Sir ; now tell me if I am very 
 wicked." 
 
 My voice shook a little as I answered. " You are 
 the only honest woman I ever have met. Your feel 
 ings are, under the circumstances, perfectly natural, 
 and far more commendable than the display of an 
 overwhelming sorrow that you could not sincerely 
 feel. But I may tell you, for the purpose of re 
 moving your regret that you may have for the ne 
 cessity of disobeying your parent s command, that 
 your father denounced Cadwaller for the villain he 
 is, and with almost his last breath prayed me to save 
 you from him." 
 
 " Did he ? Did he ? " Her eyes opened wide 
 with glad surprise. 
 
 " He did, when I made clear to him the scoun 
 drel s object, which would cast disgrace upon him 
 self." 
 
 " Oh ! " she cried, then added : " But it gives me 
 relief to know that his curse rests not upon me, with- 1 
 out regard to what was the reason for his sudden 
 change." Her face and neck were covered with 
 blushes, and she rose and went to the window to 
 hide the evidences of conflicting emotions. 
 
 263
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 I kept silence for some time, watching her stand 
 ing in the sunlight and sorrowfully gazing forth. 
 
 " Alone," I murmured. " Alone in the world. 
 Alone in a cage of savage beasts, who lick their 
 slavering chops and, over-gorged, turned from half- 
 eaten prey to coax their appetites with a new and 
 sweeter victim. Oh, God ! " I groaned within my 
 heart, " what can I do to save her ? Cadwaller is 
 but one, and she shall be unprotected from others of 
 his kind when I am gone. When I am gone ! " 
 The thought caused a pang of sorrow. " But not 
 yet," I whispered. " Much is left to be ac 
 complished much ! " The seriousness of the situ 
 ation came back to me with a startling force. 
 " Zounds ! and here I lie while the precious moments 
 hasten past. Her peril is greater than ever! The 
 devil take this stiffened side! I must be moving! 
 Ease and contentment are robbing me of my per 
 severance, my determination ! " 
 
 " Madam," I said aloud, " have you any blood re 
 lation near at hand ? " 
 
 She turned quickly, catching her breath in sur 
 prise at my abruptness. 
 
 "Oh, yes! I have an aunt in Canterbury." She 
 looked at me strangely and drew nearer. " Why ? " 
 she asked quietly. 
 
 " Your father s or your mother s sister ? " 
 
 " My mother s. But why do you ask ? " Her 
 eyes were anxious, and she came yet nearer, doubt- 
 
 264
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 less wondering at the sudden look of resolved action 
 in my face. 
 
 " Is her husband living ? " I went on. 
 
 " Yes, yes ! But why are you so excited ? You 
 must be calm." 
 
 " Your aunt and her husband must be sent for at 
 once or better, you should go to them." 
 
 " But you ? and my father ? " 
 
 " Ah true ! I forgot your father. Still, if you 
 have time, you must go." 
 
 " Have time ? What do you mean ? Pray be 
 calm ! " She looked at me closely, evidently think 
 ing my mind wandering. 
 
 " Calm ! I am calm ! But you must leave this 
 place as soon as possible. What time were they 
 here ? " 
 
 " Who ? " 
 
 "Cadwaller s men!" 
 
 " About seven this morning. But please do not 
 excite yourself." 
 
 " Excite myself ! My dear lady, Toby must be a 
 fool ! Seven o clock, you say ? And now it is near 
 to six in the afternoon ! They have had almost 
 eleven hours ! We may expect them at any mo 
 ment ! " 
 
 She wrung her hands perplexedly. " You, you 
 must lie down and be more calm you really must! 
 
 " Xay, Madam, I must now move more quickly 
 than ever before, Too much good time already has 
 
 265
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 been wasted ! You must be in Canterbury this 
 night, and I must be in Dover ! " 
 
 " Oh, Sir, Sir ! you must be more restful. What 
 you say is impossible, impossible ! " She looked at 
 me steadily, her expression slowly changing-." How 
 forgetful in me ! " she cried. " You have had nothing 
 to eat ! Tis shameful so to drive you mad with 
 hunger makes you so disobedient." She shook a 
 promise me that you will be good, very good, and I 
 shall fetch you your breakfast. Poor man! tis 
 hunger makes you so disobedient." She shook a 
 finger at me in mock severity. " Promise that you 
 will be good, and not attempt to rise." 
 
 I could not help smiling, despite the danger that 
 I scented fast approaching. " And will my reward 
 be obedience from you after ? " 
 
 Her eyes opened wide with surprise. 
 
 " Will you obey me and go to Canterbury ? " 
 
 I thought I saw a shadow pass over her face ; and 
 I wondered at it. If it did pass, it was gone in a 
 moment, for she laughed almost immediately. 
 
 " Yes, I promise after. But your present re 
 ward will be breakfast a delicious breakfast." 
 She shut her eyes and shook her head. " Oh, 
 it will be very, very nice!" She bowed her 
 head and watched me from under her raised 
 brow. " You never have eaten a meal of my 
 preparing. Oh, they are delicious!" She joined 
 my laughter, and skipped to the door. " I hope I 
 
 266
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 have sharpened your appetite sufficiently," she 
 laughed as she passed out. 
 
 " You have made me ravenous ! You are a 
 witch ! " I cried. 
 
 She put her lovely laughing face back into the 
 room for a moment. " l^ow, remember : good, good, 
 good ! " And, frowning in mock severity, and shak 
 ing her finger at each repetition, she vanished. 
 
 " Oh," I heard her say in the passage, " you are in 
 good time, Toby; your master is awake, and wants 
 you, I think. See to it, Toby, that he breaks not 
 my orders, which are that he shall not move from 
 where he lies." 
 
 Toby s reply came to me as an indistinct rumble, 
 and a moment later his rap came at the door 
 
 " Come in, Toby ! " I called. 
 
 He was covered with dust from head to foot, his 
 face red from exertion, his habitual frown deeper 
 than usual, and he pulled at his mustaches almost 
 savagely. 
 
 Twas my intention to give him a sharp lecture 
 for permitting me to sleep away hours of most vital 
 importance, but his troubled look checked me, and I 
 said only: "Yes?" 
 
 " Escaped, Sir Cadwaller s coachman," he jerked 
 out abruptly. 
 
 " Ah ! " With a great effort I sprang upright. 
 
 " Almost five hours since. Followed him to 
 Canterbury was half-an-hour behind him. Took 
 
 267
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 the Dover road I followed. Too late; he had en 
 tered the town fifteen minutes before I reached the 
 outskirts." 
 
 " The devil ! How do you know ? " 
 
 " Asked at an inn he had passed a mile this side 
 of the town." 
 
 " Quick, Toby help me to dress ! " 
 
 " But your wound, Sir ! " 
 
 " The devil take me and my wound, if Mistress 
 Heron does not reach Canterbury in safety! And 
 1 shall see the King this night if I have to crawl! 
 Haste ! Have no fear of hurting me ; I deserve 
 it." 
 
 My whole left side was stiff and sore, my shoulder 
 and hip were severely bruised, and the cut over my 
 ribs was feverish and pained sharply with my every 
 move. My head swam lightly as I put my feet to 
 the floor, and my knees shook treacherously when my 
 weight came upon my legs. Twas no new experience 
 tc me ; I well knew the symptoms, and made no doubt 
 that they soon would become less annoying when I 
 should move around more. Once or twice I came 
 near falling, but Toby s arm was ready. He gave 
 me a glass of wine now and again, and I felt my 
 strength revive. 
 
 " Friends there, Sir ? " Toby asked abruptly, 
 as he slowly worked me into my coat, from which 
 the blood had neatly been removed, and the gash 
 stitched until it was scarcely visible. 
 
 268
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " Yes, Toby ; an aunt. We must take Mistress 
 Heron there, then I shall see the King, and arrange 
 matters so as to free her from further persecution. 
 See her work." I pointed to the mended rent. 
 " All kindness. How many ladies of her standing 
 would give so much as a thought to a poor devil with 
 a gash in his ribs ? There, Toby, is a real woman. 
 Those that we have been sneering at for years are 
 counterfeits. The quality is not In them. You re 
 member our compact, my friend ? She must be 
 saved. She must reach Canterbury in safety, 
 Toby." I griped his arm and stared fiercely at him. 
 
 He returned my look strangely, his brows wrinkled 
 in trouble. " Yes, Sir ; or fight it out here." His 
 jaws closed tightly, and I should swear his hand 
 shook as he lifted my boot and drew it on. 
 
 When Toby s hand shook the chance of success 
 was one in a thousand, I knew. My heart almost 
 stopped as I thought of what the result would be 
 should Cadwaller s friends return before we could 
 leave, or if they should meet us on the road. The 
 road to Canterbury is the road from Dover. Well 
 might Toby s hand shake ; our chance of success 
 was indeed but one in a thousand. 
 
 This new excitement the escape of Cadwaller s 
 coachman had driven from my mind all thought of 
 the daring scoundrel of tlie night before, the knave 
 to whom I owed my disability. But every detail 
 of the foul attempt at assassination came to me in a 
 
 269
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 flash, when Toby placed my sword-belt upon my 
 shoulder. The hilt of my weapon was bent a little 
 where I had fallen upon it. 
 
 " Ah ! did you get him ? " I asked with a sud 
 denness and force that made Toby start back in sur 
 prise and stare in wonder. 
 
 The coachman, Sir ? " 
 
 " No, no, no ! The knave of last night the man 
 in black, with whom I fell from the window ! " 
 
 " Oh ! Xo, Sir, I didn t get him. I missed 
 him with the pistol, and though I followed amongst 
 the trees for some time, twas so dark I lost him." 
 
 " Had he aught to do with the escape of the coach 
 man ? " 
 
 " I think not, Sir. I think he was in another 
 place when the coachman escaped." 
 
 " Then you have an idea who he is ? " 
 
 " Only an idea, Sir ; but I think we both have seen 
 him before." 
 
 I pulled my mustaches thoughtfully, while Toby 
 drew on my other boot. " Yes, Toby, I agree with 
 you. I believe we have seen him before. And if I 
 mistake not, we shall see him again. And yet, I 
 have no reason for my belief that he is the man." 
 
 Toby looked up quickly and eyed me in half sur 
 prise. " I think I understand ihis reason, Sir." 
 He nodded knowingly. 
 
 "Yes?" 
 
 270
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " Yes, Sir ; but, pardon me, Sir, I shall not tell 
 it just now." 
 
 " Oh, you are growing very deep, Toby," I said 
 dryly, for his words intimated a suspicion that I 
 also had of the masqued man s reason for the at 
 tempted assassination. 
 
 " Is Cadwaller safe ? " I questioned, rising pain 
 fully, and, with my hand upon Toby s shoulder, 
 moving toward the door. 
 
 " Yes, Sir. I left a man on guard before his 
 door, and one beneath his window, when I started in 
 pursuit of the coachman. 
 
 " Ah, that is well, Toby. You learned caution 
 after the other had escaped." 
 
 " Yes, Sir." His face was flushed, but he was not 
 one to shirk responsibility. 
 
 As we left the room I heard the rattle of dishes 
 in the hall below. 
 
 " Quick, Toby," I whispered ; " give orders to 
 have the coach made ready at once ; then eat, for you 
 must be weary. When the coach is ready, let me 
 know at once. Have it to stand in some convenient 
 spot, not visible from the drives, house or stables. 
 Relieve the guardsmen of their duty, and have them 
 mounted and ready by the coach." 
 
 " Yes, Sir." He turned and sped along the hall 
 toward the back stairs. 
 
 I made a great effort and, straightening myself as 
 
 271
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 much as possible, stepped firmly in the direction of 
 the approaching rattle of dishes. 
 
 " Don t be alarmed," I called, as I neared the head 
 of the stairs. " I am not a ghost." 
 
 " Oh ! " I heard her cry ; and the next moment 
 I stood before her, smiling down into her wondering 
 face. 
 
 " I didn t promise," I pleaded, as I saw that she 
 was about to speak. 
 
 " But you gave me to understand that you would 
 obey." 
 
 " You must forgive me. I was forced to use 
 diplomacy to gain my end ; there was no time for 
 elaborate argument." 
 
 " In the morning-room," she directed, turning 
 to the staring servant that carried the tray. 
 
 " I shall postpone your lecture, you wicked man, 
 until your strength shall have become sufficient to 
 bear it." 
 
 I laughed, and grasped the balustrade for support, 
 for my legs were attempting to play me false. But 
 she saw I was acting, for she took my arm, despite 
 my protests, and steadied my trembling steps. 
 
 " Tis a shame, a sorry shame, to so tempt death," 
 she reproved. 
 
 " On the contrary, I am doing my utmost to avoid 
 it. Tis from death I would save myself, and from 
 worse I would save you. Do you not know that 
 Cadwaller s coachman has escaped ? " 
 
 272
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " Escaped \No ! When ? " 
 
 " Hours since. He has gone to Dover. Cad- 
 waller s friends that were here this morning, al 
 though they would have returned without the warn 
 ing, when they discovered that they had been duped, 
 will now be upon us the sooner ! " 
 
 " But what shall you do ? " 
 
 We entered the breakfast-room, and I sank into a 
 chair at the table. " We leave for Canterbury the 
 moment the coach shall be ready." 
 
 " But you are not able to travel ! " 
 
 I laughed. " I m worth a dozen dead men, 
 Madam ; and when I shall have finished with this re 
 past Zooks ! I shall be worth at least one quick one. 
 Pardon my unseemly haste, but every moment is 
 precious." 
 
 She sat sipping her wine and nibbling a piece of 
 cake, her large unfathomable eyes watching me with 
 a strange unreadable expression. 
 
 " And if they come before we leave ? " she asked. 
 
 " I have given orders to have the coach hidden 
 amongst the trees. Tis possible we may reach it un 
 observed ; if not 
 
 " If not ? " 
 
 " Why, then, we must fight it out. I have Toby 
 and the three guardsmen one of whom is wounded, 
 to be sure but even he has a sound sword- 
 arm." 
 
 " You fight ! " She put down her glass and stared 
 18 273
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 at me in wonder. " Sir, Sir ! you can scarce lift 
 your wine-glass! T would cost your life to strike 
 a blow ! Xo, no, I will not permit it ! I am the 
 cause of your present suffering. I have been very 
 selfish in permitting you to expose yourself to such 
 great dangers already. I shall go to the King and 
 demand honourable treatment. Thank God there 
 is still a Parliament in the land, and King Charles 
 cannot so soon have forgotten the fate of his lawless 
 father!" 
 
 Zounds ! she made a splendid and heart-thrilling 
 picture, with her beautiful head held high, her red 
 lips firm, and her dark eyes emitting sparks of noble 
 courage and resolve. 
 
 I smiled and shook my head. " Your object 
 would be to save me, but you could not succeed. 
 Noble lady," I said, leaning forward and speaking 
 very low, " I thank you much, oh, so much more 
 than I ever can tell you, for your sweet generosity 
 and tender kindness!" (She dropped her eyes, 
 and the blushes came and went, in little, rosy waves.) 
 " Last night you displayed a courage greater far 
 than ever woman has shown before. You saved my 
 life. And shall I fail now in the task that I had 
 determined to accomplish even before you made me 
 a hundred times your debtor? Xo; or if I do, my 
 ears then shall be deafened to the tale of shame. 
 You shall escape Cadwaller, and to-night I shall 
 Bee the King." 
 
 274
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " But why should I not succeed ? " she flashed, 
 raising her determined face. 
 
 " Even then I should be compelled to fight if they 
 should come." 
 
 The colour left her face. " And how will you 
 see the King ? " she almost whispered, leaning for 
 ward. 
 
 " I shall go to him at Dover, and have a quiet talk 
 with his Majesty." 
 
 " Yes. And what, think you, will be your recep 
 tion if he knows of your treatment of his puppet 
 above-stairs ? Remember also that you have dis 
 obeyed his order to go to London." 
 
 " I have a very persuasive way of talking, which 
 I shall bring to bear upon his Majesty." 
 
 " No, you shall not. It is my duty to see the 
 King, demand justice, and I will receive it ! " 
 
 I shook my head. " Such a course would ruin 
 all. Last night you said you trusted in me. Will 
 you not trust still ? Your greatest trial is at hand. 
 Permit me to guide you through." 
 
 She buried her face in her hands and sat 
 silent. 
 
 I heard Toby s step hastening along the hall. He 
 rapped and entered, still wiping his mustaches. 
 His belt was filled with pistols. "All ready, 
 Sir." 
 
 1 " May we succeed," I said solemnly, standing with 
 raised glass. 
 
 275
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 The lady followed my example. 
 
 " One moment," she said, gliding from the 
 room. 
 
 I went to the window, swung it open and looked 
 forth. Twas very quiet amongst the trees, and the 
 long shadow cast from the house stretched lazily 
 down the three terraces to where the circling drives 
 join and wind toward the gate the gate that Julius 
 kept. A chill ran through me as the name cajne to 
 my mind. " Julius, the fiend that haunts my sleep," 
 I muttered. " Julius, whose very name conjures up 
 evil." My side burned and throbbed warningly, 
 and I shuddered as I half closed the window. 
 
 " Hark ! Toby, what is that ? " 
 
 The little man sprang to my side, his hand at his 
 ear. I held my breath and listened. The beating 
 of horses hoofs upon a hard road came faintly roll 
 ing through the trees. The sound quickly grew in 
 volume the beasts were rushing on at their great 
 est speed. 
 
 " How many, Toby ? " 
 
 " Only four or five, Sir, I think." 
 
 Mistress Heron reentered, ready for the road. 
 " What is it ? " she cried. 
 
 " They are here, Madam. There, they are slack 
 ening speed as they approach the gate." 
 
 " By the rear entrance, Sir ? " Toby askod. 
 
 I nodded, seized my hat, and held the door while 
 the lady proudly passed out. 
 
 2/6
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " Ha ! " I muttered, " no fear there. I believe 
 she would rather fight than flee ! " But my heart 
 beat quickly as I followed her. 
 
 " Julius, Julius, Julius ! " rang in iny ears as a 
 warning. 
 
 277
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 TOBY attempted to take my arm, but I motioned 
 him off. My legs still felt unreliable, and I wished 
 by use to prepare them for an emergency. The lit 
 tle man then rushed ahead, and, crossing the main 
 hall, opened a door and ran down a passage leading 
 to a rear entrance. We followed briskly, though 
 my teeth were clenched with the pain of my 
 wounded side. With every step it caught me and 
 made my breath come short. The lady watched me 
 anxiously, as though she thought to see me fall. 
 Therefore I stepped the firmer, and put on as much 
 swing as my stiffness would permit. 
 
 A sudden beating of hoofs trembled through the 
 house. I gasped in surprise and sprang forward. 
 
 " Quick, Toby ! They must have passed the 
 gates ! How came they so soon ? " 
 
 " Too late, I fear," said Mistress Heron, as Toby 
 reached the door. 
 
 The clatter rushed quickly on, coming with a dis 
 tinctness surprising. Toby swung the door opeix, 
 ground his teeth, and slammed it shut again. 
 " Trapped ! " he growled, and shot the bolt. 
 
 " How ? " 
 
 " Another band coming up the rear drive ! 
 They re almost here ! " 
 
 278
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " Ah ! I thought it too soon for the others. How 
 many are without ? " 
 
 " Four, Sir, I counted. There, they are in the 
 court-yard." 
 
 " Only four ? Come, unbolt ! " 
 
 " Hark ! " said the lady. She was leaning against 
 the wall, her fingers held to her chin, her lips apart, 
 keenly listening. 
 
 Toby paused, his hand upon the bolt. Another 
 clatter of hoofs, less distinct than the first, came to 
 us down the hall. 
 
 " Ah, the others ! Haste ! " 
 
 " No ! " cried the lady, very white, but with 
 sparkling eyes. 
 
 I loosened my sword, but still hesitated, for in her 
 face was a look of almost hope. " Yes ? " I ques 
 tioned, while the beating hoofs rushed nearer, and 
 loud voices from the court-yard. 
 
 " I have a plan ! It may work ! Oh, for the 
 night! Follow me!" she jerked out sharply, and 
 started back toward the great hall. 
 
 Toby looked inquiringly at me. I nodded. We 
 turned and followed, wondering. 
 
 The sound of rushing horses suddenly ceased ; 
 then came a knocking at the main door. 
 
 "Worse than we expected, eh, Toby?" I whis 
 pered. " Now we must fight it out alone. Our 
 guardsmen are useless." 
 
 " Ilastc I " called Mistress Heron, beckoning from 
 
 2/9
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 half way up the passage, where she stood beside a 
 narrow door. " I shall lead the way. Tis dark. 
 Follow, and make no noise." 
 
 She swung the door open and disappeared in the 
 darkness. Toby and I followed softly. As I 
 turned to close the door a great bustle and clamour 
 ing of voices came to me from the great hall. I 
 searched for a bolt or bar, while the shouts and run 
 ning grew louder, but found neither. 
 
 " Come," our fair guide whispered from the 
 blackness below. "This way. Haste!" 
 
 " But the door ! There is no bolt." 
 
 " Oh, the key, the key ! Here, Toby, here ! " 
 
 The door from the main hall to the passage flew 
 open, and some one dashed along the passage. I 
 heard him draw back the bolt, and a moment later 
 he was shouting to his comrades in the court-yard. 
 Toby passed a ring of keys to me, that of the door 
 singled out ; but as I was trying to insert it the fel 
 low returned, and with him was another. I held 
 my breath and listened, fearing to put key to lock 
 lest they should hear the rattle. Directly before the 
 door they halted. 
 
 " What does he say ? " asked one, as a fellow with 
 out shouted something that I could not catch. 
 
 " What ? " bellowed the second speaker, starting 
 back toward the door. 
 
 " Sammy says the coach is gone," came from the 
 court-yard, 
 
 280
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " The devil ! " They hastily went back, and an 
 other fellow rushed down the passage from the main 
 hall, shouting after them. 
 
 " There s only the dead man in one of the rooms ! 
 Xot a sight of our master ! " 
 
 I took advantage of the uproar by inserting and 
 turning the key. 
 
 " Someone opened this door as we came up the 
 road. I sa>w him," said one. 
 
 " Was it a man ? " 
 
 " Yes, a man. I saw him plain. Yes, he was a 
 little devil. His head didn t come above here on 
 the door. And he wore hair on his face. I saw him 
 plain." 
 
 " That s him ! That s him ! " cried another. 
 " That s the little curse that tied me up and near 
 smothered me!" (Toby s sins were finding him 
 out.) " Come on, let s find them. They must be 
 in the house." 
 
 " But the coach is gone his Lordship s coach." 
 
 " So it was before," said a rougher voice. " They 
 can t fool us that way again. Come along." 
 
 " What s that ?" 
 
 A great pounding rolled through the house. 
 Where we were it came faintly, but its vigour, which 
 carried it so far, could not be mistaken. Thump, 
 thump, thump ! it came. Then I heard a great 
 shouting in the distance, and this was followed by 
 a rush and answering shouts from the men, until the 
 
 281
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 whole house was made to echo with sounds as of mad 
 creatures let loose. 
 
 " Ah, his Lordship is attracting attention," I 
 said, groping my way down the steps. 
 
 " I should have finished him last night," Toby 
 growled. " When you throw away a trick you often 
 lose the game. 
 
 " But sometimes get a better suit." 
 
 " This way," came from our leader. 
 
 We follow r ed her whispered directions, feeling 
 along the w r all to guide us. My hand brushed across 
 three doors, and then a soft " Here " came through 
 the darkness, and the fourth door opened gently. 
 My hand slid along, found the casing, and I followed 
 Toby into a darkness thicker, if that was possible, 
 than that of the passage along w r hich we had been 
 groping. 
 
 " Wait here," the lady said, closing the door and 
 moving farther into the darkness. A clink of glass 
 came to me a moment later, and I heard her moving 
 about, her hands feeling here and there, as though 
 searching for something upon the table. 
 
 Crash, crash, crash ! came from far above, and 
 I knew that the Earl was attaining his liberty. 
 Click, click, click ! came from a few yards distant, 
 and I knew for what Mistress Heron had sought. I 
 moved toward her when I saw the flash, and a mo 
 ment later held a lighted candle, while she put dow r n 
 
 282
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 the flint and steel, and, taking the ring of keys, 
 crossed to the door and locked it, 
 
 " !Now," she said, standing straight, her back 
 against the panel, an odd smile of half -excitement, 
 half-triumph upon her face ; " now we still have a 
 chance." 
 
 I stood gazing at her in admiration Zounds! 
 she commanded it and Toby leaned against the 
 wall, twisting his mustaches and watching her from 
 under his shaggy brows with eyes that twinkled 
 merrily. 
 
 " I believe this is more to your liking than to 
 flee, Madam," I smiled. 
 
 " The pugnacious spirit is contagious, Sir," she 
 laughed back. " I have caught it." 
 
 The crashing above-stairs suddenly ceased, then 
 silence reigned for a moment, but it was followed in 
 turn by a loud and angry shouting, which, I made 
 no doubt, was well punctuated with oaths. A sud 
 den running down the stairs followed. Many feet 
 made the sounds, and they came with a rush that 
 left no doubt of their determination to secure their 
 prey a pack of fierce staghounds chasing a tender 
 fawn. The trapping of feet and shouting came 
 nearer. As they reached the ground floor I could 
 plainly distinguish the voice of his Lordship cursing 
 most foully and calling out orders for our appre 
 hension. 
 
 " Out, out, you silly fools ! Surround the house I 
 
 283
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 "While you stand staring, they, doubtless, are 
 making off ! Two men to each gate, you block 
 heads ! Yes, mounted, of course ! Haste ! they 
 may have left the grounds already ! Fire a pistol if 
 you sight them ! " More rushing of feet followed 
 this outburst, and presently came a galloping of 
 horses, as the men hastened to carry out their mas 
 ter s directions. 
 
 I began to cast about for something with which to 
 make ourselves more secure, for, remember, there 
 were but two doors between our foes and us, and 
 stout ones though they were, locks- can easily be pis 
 toled, as I already have shown, and the keep of a 
 bolt can be forced. This search for reinforcements 
 brought the strangeness of the room under my no 
 tice. It was fairly large, almost square, and wains 
 coted in oak to a height of about six feet, and above 
 this was another five or six feet to the floor of the 
 room across which Cadwaller strode and stormed. 
 But the strange part was its contents. A large and 
 heavy table stood in the centre, and upon this were 
 many tubes and globes of glass, a little brass kettle 
 and a mortar with pestle. In the wall was the 
 common fireplace, but beside it, upon a higher piece 
 of stonework, was a second one, very small " a 
 young one," as Toby said with a hood-shaped 
 piece from the main chimney projecting over it. In 
 neither of these did a fire burn, and the ashes upon 
 the hearth were old and cold. Here and there along 
 
 284
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 the walls were shelves upon which stood many bot 
 tles, each having a name stuck to it, and one* shelf 
 there was that held books, mostly large and well 
 thumbed. Scattered in disorder about the room 
 were pots and other utensils, strange-shaped and of 
 various sizes, and at one end of the table a stool 
 the only seat that the room contained. 
 
 "Ah, an alchemist!" I hinted, forgetting how 
 distinct Cadwaller s voice had sounded. 
 
 " Sh ! " the lady warned, looking up. 
 
 A conversation was progressing above-stairs, but 
 not within the room directly overhead. "Ha! 
 When ? " cried the Earl. The other s answer came 
 as a murmur. " That is well ! That is well ! 
 Then they must still be within the house ! Go fetch 
 me a servant the first you find ! " Steps started 
 quickly, and soon died out in the distance, as the 
 man hastened toward the other wing. 
 
 " Do the servants know of this place ? " I whis 
 pered. 
 
 She thought a moment. " Yes, they must know 
 of it, but none has ever been within at least, none 
 but Julius." 
 
 " None but Julius ! " Again that hated name 
 rang menacingly in my ears. 
 
 " He has assisted my father here sometimes. 
 Julius is the only one now, besides myself, that 
 knows its secret." 
 
 "Its secret?" 
 
 285
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " Yes." She smiled and nodded knowingly. 
 
 " And can Julius hold a secret fast ? " 
 
 " To the death." 
 
 " I should prefer that he now held it in death," I 
 muttered. 
 
 " But if the doors are not fastened, may not the 
 other servants know also ? " 
 
 " The doors always are locked, Sir." She still 
 was smiling. 
 
 " Always ? " I questioned, knowing that she had 
 not used her keys to open either but a moment before. 
 
 " Last night I took my poor father s keys and 
 came down here for a balm for the wound of a poor 
 gentleman that had come near to death in saving my 
 life. I was sore wrought, and so forgot to lock the 
 doors again." 
 
 " And you came alone ? " I said, very low. 
 " Brave heart ! " came to my lips, but I smothered 
 the words lest she should think them over-bold. 
 
 " I I was a little, only a little, afraid. I 
 thought I heard a noise behind the wall, there, 
 when I entered. I suppose it was the result of that 
 awful excitement in the hall. But whatever it was, 
 imagination or not, I did not take time to relock the 
 door." 
 
 My throat ached fiercely. " Here is a woman ! 
 Here is a woman ! " I stifled within me. " After 
 having gone through what she went through last 
 night if another woman lives that would go 
 
 286
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 through it there is not a woman in a million that 
 would come to this place alone, when an unknown 
 assassin w r as lurking still about the house." I 
 clenched my fists, stared at the floor, and my breath 
 came heavily through my nose. 
 
 " A noise behind the wall ? Which wall, Mad 
 am ? " I whispered. 
 
 She seemed surprised by the question. " That 
 wall." She indicated the one to her left. 
 
 " Ah ! " I tiptoed to it and placed my ear against 
 the panels. " Is there a room beyond ? " 
 
 " No, not a room. Why ? " 
 
 " Then I, too, must have been deceived." 
 
 " Deceived ! Did you hear a sound ? " She flew 
 to my side and placed her ear where I had held 
 mine. " Oh, no ! there could be no one there. What 
 you heard must have come from above-stairs." 
 
 " Surely since there is nothing beyond the wall," 
 I assented. 
 
 " But there is." She was frowning thoughtfully. 
 
 " A chamber ? " 
 
 " No ; a passage. 
 
 " Ah, that is the secret ! " 
 
 " Yes. But there could be no one there." 
 
 " Yet Julius knows." Once again my jaws 
 clenched in sudden anger at the name. 
 
 "Poor Julius! You think he is capable of any 
 villainy. Do you remember the morning when you 
 compared him with his namesake, the fish ? " 
 
 287
 
 Mark Everan 
 
 " I remember," I whispered, looking at the floor. 
 
 " Even then you were sadly prejudiced. Re 
 member ? " 
 
 "Always!" 
 
 Toby was inspecting the bottles upon the shelves 
 at the other side of the room ; 0dwaller, above, was 
 questioning the servants severely, for now and again 
 his voice raised very high would come to us ; and a 
 banging of doors and a tramping of feet came indis 
 tinctly from the second floor, where his Lordship s 
 men had commenced their systematic search, room 
 by room, from garret to cellar. 
 
 " And you have not changed ? " 
 
 " Changed ! " I gasped. 
 
 " Yes. You still hold to your prejudice? " Her 
 eyes had an unreadable laughing expression. 
 
 " Oh ! " I sighed, reassured and disappointed. 
 l Yes, I still believe he is a fiend yea, further, I 
 am convinced." 
 
 I saw Toby turn and cast a hasty glance at 
 me. 
 
 " And yesterday you were about to slay me, after 
 having beaten the poor creature almost to death. 
 How murderous you did look when you turned, with 
 that great sword drawn back to run through poor 
 little me ! " Her eyes were sparkling temptingly, 
 and her dark red lips twitched with a tantalizing 
 smile. 
 
 I leaned against the wall and trembled, a strange 
 
 288
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 wild tingling rushing through my veins, twitching 
 my fingers and dancing in my heart. 
 
 " And again you would have killed him, when as 
 a spectator he peered over the hedge, watching you 
 fight Lord Cadwaller. And all this hatred because 
 the poor fellow is attempting to do what he con 
 siders his duty! To him you are a very wicked 
 man, who came, backed by a band of the King s 
 soldiers, to carry me off. Oh, you forget what a 
 wicked man you were when you came, scarcely two 
 weeks ago ! And now you expect him to betray 
 me ! " She shook her head. " Tis his ugly face 
 that makes you to hate him so, I fear. Betray me ! 
 Why the poor hideous creature almost worships 
 me ! " 
 
 Toby made a sudden movement, but when we 
 glanced toward him he still stared at the bottles, his 
 back to us. 
 
 " He is on very intimate terms with Sir Charles, 
 Madam." 
 
 " Sir Charles Rawley ? " 
 
 " He admitted Sir Charles to the grounds last 
 night, and the two had a whispered conference be 
 fore the latter left. I think Sir Charles hao more 
 to do with the close attention I receive from Julius 
 than haa his duty to you, Madam." 
 
 " Oh ! " she gasped, and was silent for a moment. 
 " So, so ! Another another puppet ! Did you 
 speak with him ? " 
 
 19 289
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " Ay. Toby took him prisoner, and we discussed 
 many things." 
 
 " And did you learn aught of his mission ? " 
 
 " Ay. He came that he might give orders to his 
 men to detain his Lordship as long as possible." 
 
 Her face flushed darkly, and she bit her lip in 
 anger. " More plotting ! And I am the innocent 
 cause of it all ! Oh, God ! am I but a thing to be 
 bought and sold by scheming knaves for their ad 
 vancement ? Am I not a woman, and have I no 
 will, that I must be made into a stepping-stone, a 
 filthy stepping-stone for honourless beasts to trample 
 under muddy feet ? A thing without feeling, 
 honour, or soul ? Ah, Sir, you have thought me ig 
 norant of that dog Cadwaller s plans! I was not. 
 I suspected them, though I was uncertain until you 
 spoke this day. Oh, Heaven! And here s another 
 puppet, smaller and more contemptible! This is 
 the Little Duke s little dog, I suppose ! Oh, oh ! it 
 is too, too shameful ! Am I nothing nothing ? 
 Why am I singled out for such vile, such unspeak 
 able shame, such torment ? Have I no heart, no 
 no love to be considered ? Oh ! what am I saying ? " 
 She broke off abruptly, buried her burning face in 
 her hands and shook with a violent sobbing. 
 
 Toby leaned against the great chimney, his brows 
 drawn down until his eyes were but points of 
 fire burning through a forest of shaggy hair, his 
 mouth a grim, straight line, mustaches bristling like 
 
 290
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 a mad dog s back, and nostrils opening and closing 
 like a fish s gills. I stood burning and freezing 
 alternately, my heart leaping and standing still, 
 afire and turned to ice. Zounds! what a woman! 
 No words can do her justice, nor from what she 
 said can her look be judged. She was a furnace of 
 burning indignation, a goddess of noble beauty 
 wronged. At her last words my heart stood still, an 
 icy hand clutched it until I groaned, and a cold 
 moisture burst out upon my face. " Have I no 
 heart, no love to be considered ? " she had cried. 
 Ah ! she loved. Farewell, sweet folly, dear absurd 
 ity ! Mark Everard, the duellist, the adventurer, the 
 hireling of princes and kings, would now fall back 
 into the pit of reality, which he never should have 
 left. Old Toby was right. Toby was a wise man 
 and a fool. And where was this lover, this god that 
 he must be to win the love of such a woman ? Where 
 ,was he, that he left her in such straits ? The pol 
 troon ! If the outcast Mark Everard had him in his 
 hands he would flay him alive for his neglect! If 
 the outcast, the poor despised outcast no, no! 
 ungenerous thought the honoured, the vastly hon 
 oured, soldier should meet him, he would kiss his 
 hand, for he must have a grand soul ere he could win 
 such love. " Oh, God ! " I choked, and trembled 
 against the wall. My side malignantly burned and 
 stabbed ; my brain giddily throbbed and whirled ; 
 my ears were deaf, but provokingly rang and whis- 
 
 291
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 tied. ... A warmth that felt suspiciously like a 
 fever began to steal through my veins. . . . 
 
 Toby moved Toby was tiptoeing toward the 
 door. Toby held up a hand in warning and I 
 made out a sound in the passage above, a sound as 
 of someone carefully making his way along toward 
 the little door through which we had passed in com 
 ing to the late Sir Alfred s secret chamber. At the 
 door the cautious steps stopped. I heard someone 
 try the lock. Then there was silence for several 
 moments, during which time Mistress Heron wiped 
 her eyes and regained her self-command. 
 
 " Ah ! In the cellar, my lady ! " Twas Lord 
 Cadwaller s voice. " Twas indiscreet to quarrel so 
 loudly! But a little while ^nd I shall arbitrate! 
 Here ! a pistol ! " Two or three others ran from 
 the great hall to him. " Tis to be regretted that I 
 must so damage my own property," he called ; " but 
 I must rescue you, Mistress ! Stand to one side of 
 the door, my lady! I would not have you injured! 
 Are you ready ? " 
 
 I moved quickly to Toby s side and took a pistol. 
 Mistress Heron stood against the wall, gazing 
 thoughtfully across the room. Her face was pale 
 again, her lips drawn firmly in, and her hands 
 clenched at her sides. 
 
 " One ! " shouted Cadwaller. " When I have 
 counted three I shall fire ! " 
 
 I stepped unsteadily to the table. 
 
 292
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " One ! two ! three ! " There was a moment s 
 pause then, crash ! I heard a piece of the lock 
 come ringing down the steps, and the distant scream 
 of a female servant mingled with the explosion s 
 vibrations. 
 
 I leaned over and blew out the candle. 
 
 " Oh ! " Mistress Heron gasped. 
 
 " Yes ! " I whispered. 
 
 " In the dark I cannot open the panel to the pas 
 sage." 
 
 The door above crashed open. " Oh ! Fetch rie 
 a light ! Tis dark below stairs ! " said his Lord 
 ship. 
 
 293
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 WE had delayed too long; the secret pajiel still was 
 closed, and could not be opened in the darkness ; the 
 candle was out; but one door remained between our 
 enemy and us; and beyond the panel I made sure I 
 had heard a faint noise as of stealthy moving. Dark 
 ness is usually better for the pursued than for the 
 pursuer, but that is when the pursued has an open 
 way before him. Close the door to safety, and dark 
 ness will seal it. And place on the other side of the 
 sealed door a concealed enemy for what other 
 would have cause for being there and the pursued 
 finds himself in a position for which he never has 
 hoped. The part of the hunted was one in which I 
 had had but little experience. I liked it not. But 
 in this case it was the only course having wisdom on 
 its side. Mistress Heron should not be exposed to 
 a danger that could be avoided. And this very care 1 
 that I had exercised to prevent our immediate dis 
 covery was the cause of our greatest danger. I had 
 blown out the candle so that CadwaJler should not 
 see the light shining through the key-hole, and so dis 
 cover at once in which room we had taken refuge. 
 The delay was a more serious matter than you that 
 read these lines may on first thought think it. Twas 
 
 294
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 necessary to light the candle ere the secret panel 
 could be opened ; and if the candle should be lighted 
 my Lord would see in which room we were. He 
 would break in ; we should escape into the passage ; 
 he then w r ould know that such a passage existed, and 
 from which room it led. You now the more readily 
 may forgive me when I tell you that I swore round 
 ly under my breath and cursed myself silent 
 ly for being such a fool as to neglect to have the 
 panel opened and ready for flight at the approach of 
 the enemy. 
 
 Cadwaller evidently had no more love for the dark 
 ness than I ; for I heard him call for two more pistols, 
 and when the fellow returned with the light, he or 
 dered him and some others to go before and " shoot 
 down the knaves at first sight." 
 
 I now saw there was nothing left but to light the 
 candle and make our exit and mayhap meet our 
 concealed friend in the secret passage. We now had 
 thrown away a trick indeed, and there was no chance 
 to be seen of making good the loss. 
 
 We could hear the men hesitate and dispute as to 
 which should go first, for doubtless they thought it 
 certain death for at least two, when they should come 
 with a light into a dark place where two desperate 
 men were driven to bay. I chuckled when I heard 
 them ; but Cadwaller seemed not to see the humour 
 of the situation, for he burst into a storm of oaths 
 and threats. 
 
 19 295
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " Down with you, cowards ! Slife ! a pretty band 
 I have about me ! Do you fear this braggart more 
 than me ? Is his sword moxe to be feared than my 
 displeasure ? Down, I say, or two of you shall go to 
 hell presently ! " 
 
 " Oh, good my Lord, good my Lord ! I ll go ! 
 I ll go ! " 
 
 I heard Toby snort drsdainfully. Then hesitat 
 ing feet were heard upon the steps. 
 
 I groped about the table for the steel and flint, 
 then paused as my Lord called out : 
 
 " Slife ! have you not found them yet ? Hasten, 
 or, by Heaven, I ll have you whipped to a pulp ! " 
 He still stood in the passage above. The noble Earl 
 believed not in the spilling of noble blood not when 
 common red was at hand in plenty. 
 
 " There s no one here, my Lord ! " 
 
 " What ! No one there ! Blind owls, I heard 
 them ! Search \vell behind everything ! Look be 
 neath the steps ! " 
 
 A little startled exclamation came from one of the 
 men, and then we could hear him poking something 
 between the steps, and directing his comrade where to 
 hold the candle. 
 
 " Xo, my Lord, they re not here. They must have 
 escaped, for there are doors leading from the pass- 
 age!" 
 
 "Oh, doors! doors! Ha! that is better." He 
 quickly ran down the steps as he spoke. " Try that 
 door." 
 
 296
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 The fellow shook it. " Locked, my Lord." 
 
 " The next." 
 
 I still was searching for the steel, flint and tinder, 
 but it is remarkalble how things can avoid your 
 hands, even when you know their position, or within 
 a foot or so of it. 
 
 " Locked, my Lord." 
 
 " All locked ! Ha ! they have large apartments. 
 The next. And you, keep your eyes on the others. 
 We want no surprise." 
 
 I found the steel, then the flint, but the tinder-box 
 still avoided me. 
 
 " Locked, my Lord." 
 
 " The next. Ah ! this is the last. They are be 
 hind one of these doors. We have them fast." 
 
 The fellow shook the door of our room. " Locked, 
 my Lord. All locked, may it please your Lord 
 ship." 
 
 " What ! May it please me ! May it please the 
 devil ! Fool ! go fetch some others." 
 
 During all this Mistress Heron was feeling softly 
 along the wall for the panel ; but when the fellow 
 shook our door, she stopped. When he left at his 
 master s urgent command, she whispered: " I cannot 
 find it without the light." 
 
 By this time my temper, which never has been 
 of the longest, blazed out. I should swear I had 
 searched every square inch of that table, despite 
 bottles, tubes, globes, and kettles, but no tinder-box 
 
 297
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 could I find, though before I had blown the candle 
 out it lay in plain sight near the corner. So sure 
 was I of its position that even in the dark I could 
 picture it distinctly when my anger blazed up. As 
 her whisper came to me I saw it clearly. There it 
 was, just beyond nay nose. I angrily snatched at 
 it. ... Crash. 
 
 " Ha ! at last ! " cried Cadwaller. 
 
 " Oh ! " cried the lady. 
 
 Toby cleared his throat. 
 
 I caught a short word between my teeth just in 
 time. 
 
 " One moment, and I shall release you from your 
 harsh imprisonment. Is it not strange how the tables 
 turn?" 
 
 " And (the glasses, my Lord," I replied, kneeling 
 and feeling among the scattered fragments for the 
 tinder-box, which I had heard fall when the glass 
 was overturned. 
 
 " You prefer to die laughing ? Tis commend 
 able." 
 
 " I have no mind to oblige you any manner, rny 
 Lord." 
 
 " But I am said to be persistent." 
 
 " And cautious.. Have a strong dislike for dark 
 places." 
 
 " Not for all dark places." 
 
 " No ? " 
 
 " I am partial to dark eyes." 
 
 298
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " And dark knobs upon the forehead ? " 
 
 Toby chuckled, and came to strike the light. 
 
 " And red lips." 
 
 " Turned grey with chattering fear ? " 
 
 " And a soft, white neck, well chiselled, as from 
 marble made." 
 
 " And well choked by dying fingers ? " 
 
 Mistress Heron and Toby eyed me in wonder, not 
 understanding this last part of the duel of words. 
 
 To Toby I whispered : " When the panel opens 
 draw the table along the floor with as much noise 
 as possible." Then, taking the candle, I moved, 
 tottering, to the wall. " Now, Madam," I whis 
 pered, " which panel ? " 
 
 She counted seven along the wall, paused and 
 placed her fingers upon the moulding. 
 
 " One moment," I warned in her ear. " Which 
 way does it go ? " 
 
 " From us." 
 
 " Upon hinges ? " 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " Swinging to the right or left ? " 
 
 " To the left." 
 
 " Then please stand well to the left, so that you 
 will not be before the opening." 
 
 She hesitated, looking at me in wonder, then faint 
 ly smiled. " And you ? " 
 
 T raised my pistol, ready to fire, should there be 
 cause. 
 
 299
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 Again she smiled. " A useless precaution ; there 
 is no one there." 
 
 " But we may take no chances." 
 
 She took a step to the left and pressed heavily upon 
 the moulding. 
 
 " Now, Toby." 
 
 The table with its load of glasses rattled like 
 a charge of cavalry. I held the candle as high as 
 my wounded side would permit. ^The panel moved 
 softly back, discovering a narrow passage, cold and 
 black as a moonless midnight. 
 
 " Ho, ho ! Preparing a barricade, eh ! Becom 
 ing more serious, my friend ! That is well ! That 
 is well! More in keeping with your circumstances, 
 eh ! " 
 
 " And assures my Lord that there will be no sally. 
 You feel safer now, eh, my Lord ! " Toby shouted, 
 as I moved into the little passage. 
 
 " What, what, little rat ? Hast learned croaking 
 from your master ? Has his wit failed, then, that 
 you must take up the cudgels ? Or mayhap he has 
 fallen into another fainting-fit and hides behind my 
 lady s petticoats ! Which is it, little rat, little rat ? " 
 Surely my Lord was losing dignity. From the rage 
 in his voice twas evident that Toby s shot had gone 
 home. 
 
 I heard the men rush down the steps. 
 
 " Ha ! now we shall draw this badger. Beware 
 within, Mistress; I m about to blow up the lock! 
 
 300
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 Tuck jour cringing charge well behind you ; he may 
 be injured in the rush! Ready, Mistress, ready! 
 Swing high his mighty sword ! Gad ! we ll have it 
 reproduced before the King ! " The despicable 
 coward was taking a revenge worthy of a fishmonger. 
 In his eagerness to mortify the lady and goad me to 
 fury he forgot the presence of his men. Faugh! it 
 gave one a qualm to be compelled to fight such a 
 dog. 
 
 Nothing could I see down the dark passage, so I 
 returned to the room to give his Lordship a last 
 warning ere they should force the door. For I 
 wished to gain all the time possible, as every minute 
 that passed sent the sun lower, and darkness without 
 would give us our only chance for leaving the 
 grounds, should we succeed in leaving the house. 
 But as I was re-entering the room, something told 
 me to glance over my shoulder into the darkness. I 
 did so and should almost swear I saw, far, far in 
 the black distance, a streak of dim light. For but a 
 moment it lasted then all behind me was thick 
 blackness once more. Whether it was the fellow I 
 had heard moving before the panel was opened or a 
 band coming to cut off all chance of retreat, I could 
 not decide. I was inclined to think it the former, 
 but sufficient uncertainty to keep my wits sharp still 
 was lurking in the cold, black passage. 
 
 " Again T shall count a warning ! " shouted Cad- 
 waller. "One!" 
 
 19 301
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 Toby looked at me, raised his pistol, pulled up his 
 eyebrows and jerked his head toward the door. A 
 strange grim smile was hovering on the lips of the 
 little man. 
 
 " Two ! " 
 
 I nodded. Toby sprang quickly to the door, ap 
 plied the muzzle of his pistol to the keyhole and 
 waited. 
 
 " Three ! " exultingly rang out. But it was 
 drowned instantly in a deafening crash, which in 
 turn gave place to sounds of scampering feet and 
 profanity colossal, mixed in such proportions as to 
 make a music to my ears. 
 
 I put the candle upon the table, held my hand to 
 my side, and laughed until a sharp stab in my wound 
 made me cease. The cut was burning fiercely, which 
 gave me a kind of stimulation. Mistress Heron 
 looked from Toby to me in wonder she had not real 
 ised what haippened. Toby leaned against the wall 
 and quietly reloaded the pistol, the odd smile still 
 playing about the corners of his mouth. His act re 
 minded me of the time when, about two weeks before, 
 he blew through the keyhole into the eavesdropper s 
 ears. Doubtless Cadwaller knew of that incident. 
 
 " Does that recall to your mind the night of the 
 first of May, my Lord ? " I questioned. " Tis well 
 you held your pistol, and not your ear, to the door, 
 was it not, my Lord ? " 
 
 " Force the door, cowards ! Is this the way you 
 
 302
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 serve me? run at a pistol-shot? Force the door! 
 I have another pistol, and fthere shall be one coward 
 the less if I raise it ! " 
 
 " Contemplating suicide, my Lord ? " I mocked. 
 
 " Abide, abide ! Your tongue almost has done 
 its wagging ! " 
 
 Mistress Heron moved uneasily, and when I 
 glanced at her, her eyes w r ere fixed anxiously on me. 
 She nodded toward the secret panel. 
 
 " One moment, Madam. I must gain time," I 
 whispered. Then to Toby : " Ahead of Mistress 
 -Heron into the passage." 
 
 He hastened across the room, ramming a bullet 
 into his pistol as he went. 
 
 The door-knob turned in timid hands, then a 
 shoulder was hurled against the oak. The bolt was 
 well fastened, and I knew heavy blows would be 
 required to force it. 
 
 " One moment, my Lord ! " I shouted. 
 
 " Ho ! ho ! So our spirits are drooping, Mas 
 ter Bravo, eh ! Force the door ! We have him ! 
 Ha ! ha ! " 
 
 Still the men hesitated. 
 
 " We are two determined men, my Lord 
 
 " But becoming somewhat frightened ! " 
 
 " Bah ! my Lord. I belong not to the nobility ! " 
 
 " But soon will belong to the devil ! " 
 
 " Mayhap. But not before my Lord Cadwaller. 
 I shall give you precedence your due by birth ! " 
 
 303
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " Force the door ; I weary of his prattle ! " 
 
 Again a weight was hurled against the door. 
 
 " Again I say, consider, my Lord." 
 
 "Nonsense!" 
 
 " We have four pistols, one of which is for your 
 Lordship." 
 
 "Yes?" 
 
 " Provided, of course, you do not flee. Those 
 four pistols mean four dead men." 
 
 " Your tongue revives your confidence, my 
 man." 
 
 " We have our swords also." 
 
 " And a gash in our side. Twill soon be time 
 to faint again danger is at hand." 
 
 " Xow, my Lord, take your choice. But so sure 
 as you enter this room, so sure are you a dead dog 
 the King shall lose a spaniel." 
 
 " Oh ! My thanks for the advice. I have more 
 men at my disposal. I shall summon them." Then 
 he gave an order to one of his men. I could not catch 
 it, but he was sending for the rest of his band, for 
 the fellow sprang up the stairs three steps at a 
 time. 
 
 I smiled and turned to my lady. She still stood 
 against the wall, her white hands hanging clasped be 
 fore her, her face a little pale, lips compressed, and 
 her splendid eyes turned to me in trouble. She re 
 turned my smile with a curl of her lip, and came 
 toward me. 
 
 34
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " The coward ! " she said quite loud enough for 
 my Lord to overhear. 
 
 " Courage, Mistress ; I soon shall give you a 
 
 rescue ! : 
 
 " Oh ! still without, my watch-dog ? Still nursing 
 your wounded paw ? " 
 
 " Anon, anon ! I well can afford to wait ; my 
 time is coming." 
 
 " You believe that every dog has his day ? " I 
 laughed. 
 
 He almost choked with rage as he hurled an oath 
 Jback at me, then began pacing to and fro along the 
 passage. 
 
 " But why do you prompt him to get more men ? " 
 
 " That we may gain time. We must have dark 
 ness. And then, Sir Charles may yet arrive in 
 time." 
 
 " Sir Charles ! But surely you ! " She 
 
 drew back a step. 
 
 The action stabbed me. I looked at her sadly. 
 
 " Oh, forgive me ! " she whispered. " Whatever 
 you do will be right. You can do no wrong." 
 
 " Oh, can I not ! I am but little better than the 
 worst, believe me; but when I start upon any road 
 I pursue it to the end, be it for good or for evil. 
 This time it has chanced to be for good, thank God, 
 so trust me to the end." 
 
 " Oh, spare me ! " She bowed her head, her face 
 and neck flushing rosy. " You know I trust you. 
 20 305
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 Twas the surprise you gave me by mentioning Sir 
 Charles Rawley s name as though he could be re 
 lied upon for help." Her bosom rose and fell 
 quickly, and when she raised her face again her 
 eyes were swimming in tears those tears that from 
 the first had gone so to my heart. " Now what of 
 Sir Charles ? " She smiled sadly. 
 
 I cleared my throat. " If Sir Charles has the 
 brains that I think he has, he will know of the hasty 
 departure of Cadwaller s men from Dover. Tis 
 in the interest of his villainous plans to prevent the 
 Earl from overcoming me. Tis strange he is so 
 slow to move, for these knaves have made two trips 
 from Dover. I must take advantage of their oppos 
 ing villainies by pitting them against each other. 
 With the victor I then can settle more satisfactorily 
 than at present. We must use every means that 
 offers; and to profit by the quarrels of scoundrels is 
 an honest man s fair duty." 
 
 " I I can never can never reward you for your 
 noble self-sacrifice," she whispered brokenly. " See 
 what my fate would be if any other had been given 
 your place." 
 
 " Faith," I replied, trying to speak lightly, " you 
 might have escaped this trouble completely, but for 
 me. Your position could scarcely be worse than it 
 now is, Madam." 
 
 She shook her head, then looked up quickly. " Do 
 you do you regret undertaking our apprehension ? " 
 
 306
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 I looked at the floor, grasped the edge of the table 
 tightly, and again the strange tingling ran through 
 my veins. I thought of what she had said but a lit 
 tle while before, and as the picture of this great man 
 that she loved came before my mind s eye my heart 
 turned cold, but I answered honestly. " JSTo, I never 
 can regret it, Mau^i. It has been a great wild 
 dream, but a dream of music of of sweet solos, 
 duets and thunderous choruses. Sad it has been, 
 too, Madam, but wild, wild, wild ! " At the last 
 my voice caught in my throat I could say not an 
 other word. ... I turned and snuffed the candle. 
 
 A stealthy step came down the stairs. My Lord 
 abruptly stopped his raging stride. 
 
 " Who the devil are you ? " he burst out. A little 
 pause. " Eh ? What s that ? " he added in a lower 
 tone. " Oh, it is you, my fine fellow ! Stop bob 
 bing ! What do you ? " He broke off. 
 
 The stealthy steps came on agan. Another little 
 pause then whispering and indistinct muttering. 
 
 My heart sank deep as I listened. " So, so ! " I 
 worried. " As I thought ! As I thought ! " 
 
 The lady looked at me in surprise. " What is it ? " 
 she whispered. 
 
 " Our chances dwindle, Madam." 
 
 " Are they about to force the door ? " 
 
 " T think not. I hope they will." 
 
 " But why how do you know this ? You cannot 
 hear what they say." 
 
 307
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " No, Madam ; but I think our ears did not de 
 ceive us." 
 
 She raised her brows inquiringly. 
 
 I nodded toward the passage. " You heard the 
 noise last night. I heard it w r hen I held my ear to 
 the panel. Someone was there ; I saw him go out at 
 the other end. . . . He is whispering now with my 
 Lord Cadwaller." 
 
 " Oh ! " She turned and glanced into the dark 
 passage. " You think we are betrayed ? that they 
 will cut off our escape ? " 
 
 " Yes, Madam," I was thinking quickly " un 
 less you can get into the grounds before they have 
 time to cut us off. To where does the passage lead ? " 
 
 " It opens into a little cell in the old part of the 
 house." 
 
 " Is the old part occupied ? " 
 
 " No, nor has it been for years. The cell opens 
 into a little hall, from which stairs lead to a room 
 with a glass roof, where my father studied the 
 stars." 
 
 I heard the men come rushing along the passage 
 above-stairs. From the number of feet I deemed the 
 band complete. 
 
 Still the murmuring on the other side of the door 
 went on. It seemed that Cadwaller was questioning 
 the other. 
 
 I formed a plan that might succeed if sufficient 
 time still was left us. 
 
 308
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " From the other end of the passage can you reach 
 the shelter of the trees without discovery ? " 
 
 " Yes ; the door is on the far side from the house." 
 
 " Then haste lose not a moment quick with 
 Toby ! " I snatched another candle and lighted it 
 in the flame of the first I handed it to her. " No 
 sound until you are in the passage; then go as 
 quickly as the light will permit." 
 
 She gathered up her skirts and tiptoed noiselessly 
 past Toby and into the dark passage. 
 
 " Quick, Toby," I whispered ; " follow Mistress 
 Heron. Hasten to the coach. Leave the grounds 
 quietly. Keach Canterbury in safety, or kill the 
 horses in the attempt. I shall keep Cadwaller s 
 men well occupied. Haste ! " I seized his shoulder 
 and pushed him into the passage. 
 
 " No, Sir, he growled. " You may shoot me, but 
 I ll not." He held his body very erect, but his eyes 
 were directed to my feet. 
 
 " This is true, fellow ? Remember, a lie will cost 
 your life ! " came to us in Cadwaller s voice. 
 
 " What, Toby, disobedience ? " 
 
 " May it be my last offence, Sir, but I can t help 
 it." There could be no mistaking his determination, 
 for his shoulders rose and fell slowly with the deep 
 breathing of a brave man s firm resolve. 
 
 "But do you know what your stubbornness will 
 cost ? In a few moments our escape will be cut off. 
 That means our absolute failure." 
 
 309
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " Let me stay, Sir. You cannot hold them ; 
 you re staggering and half-dead now, Sir." 
 
 u What is it ? " Mistress Heron asked, turning 
 bafck. 
 
 I heard some of the Earl s men start up the stairs. 
 
 " Alas, Madam, Toby has outlived his obedience ! 
 He refuses to go." 
 
 Cadwaller rapped against the door. " Ho ! Mas 
 ter cut-throat, I have changed my mind. I shall not 
 waste one of my men s lives in taking you. I have 
 decided to starve you out, so shall now leave you 
 while I sup." 
 
 " Go to the devil, friend Spaniel ; I m annoyed ! " 
 
 He swore, then laughed, after which they all 
 seemingly w r ent up the little stairs. 
 
 " What ! Toby disobedient ! Impossible ! " Her 
 eyes were wide in wonder. " Come, Toby," she 
 whispered gently. 
 
 " And leave my wounded master to be murdered ? 
 No, Madam, I wasn t made on that plan." 
 
 " What ! Leave him ! Who said he was to re 
 main? " She looked quickly from Toby to me, then 
 back to Toby, her dark eyes flashing brightly in the 
 candlelight. " Oh, fie, Sir ! " she flashed, again 
 turning to me. " Because I am a woman, must I be 
 a coward ? Leave you to be murdered ? Nay, Toby, 
 you did well to refuse ! If you remain, Sir, then I 
 shall remain also ! "
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 I groaned at this fatal delay. Even now the 
 enemy might be at the other end. 
 
 " Lead on, Toby. There now is no cause for me 
 to remain; Cadwaller has left the door. We shall 
 find them at the other end, I fear." 
 
 " Hark ! " the lady warned, as Toby passed her 
 and was starting ahead almost at a run. 
 
 A stealthy, cat-like step was coming down the stairs. 
 I hesitated. The cautious steps came slowly to the 
 door. Another delay. I felt sure that by this time 
 our retreat was cut off. The timid unknown stopped. 
 ... A plan flashed through my mind, whereby it 
 was possible to throw Cadwaller into the wrong 
 track, and cause him to relax his vigilance. That 
 now seemed our only chance. The Mystery in the 
 passage without hissed sharply through the shattered 
 keyhole. I smiled and prepared to play my card.
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 " TOBY," I whispered, u take your cue from me. 
 A great rage, with just a sprinkling of oaths and 
 many threats of vengeance, will be quite in order. 
 Watch me closely, and take me up promptly. Create 
 as much disturbance as possible, but be sure to await 
 my cue. Understand ? " 
 
 " Yes, Sir." He looked a little puzzled, but his 
 eyes twinkled with the love he always had for action. 
 
 " And, Madam, if you see me fall, will you please 
 consider that sufficient provocation for the uttering 
 of a scream ? " 
 
 " Fall ! " she gasped. " You must not fall ! Your 
 side ! You will kill yourself ! " 
 
 " Hist ! " again came through the smoke-begrimed 
 keyhole. 
 
 " Nay, nay, Madam, I shall not be injured." 
 (There was an unnatural feeling in my head, which 
 made me reckless). " And after you scream, act as 
 you may think best. I have no doubt as to the re 
 sult. Be ready to escape at a moment s notice." 
 
 " Hist ! " once more. 
 
 " And you ? " she persisted. 
 
 " I shall be ready also, Madam," I smiled reassur 
 ingly. 
 
 312
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " Hist ! hist ! hist ! " came more sharply. 
 
 " Who s there ? " I growled angrily. 
 
 " Sh ! " 
 
 " Oh ! So you come to warn me ! Am I right ? " 
 
 " Sh ! sh ! sh ! " more imperatively. 
 
 " One moment ; I m busy." 
 
 He seemed to be trying to whisper something 
 through the keyhole. But I think he was not great 
 ly disappointed because I could not catch his words. 
 
 I searched hastily through my pockets until I 
 found the parchment warrant from the King for the 
 arrest of poor Sir Alfred. Then, moving to the other 
 side of the door that is, to the side having the key 
 hole I rolled the document into the form of a horn. 
 
 " Hist ! hist ! " he blew once more. 
 
 I stooped quickly and peeped for but an instant 
 into the hole. I could see nothing the passage 
 without was in darkness. This I took as a good 
 warning. Crossing to the table I blew out the candle 
 there, then stepped to where the lady and Toby stood 
 and directed the latter to hold his hat between the 
 light and me until he should hear any disturbance, 
 when he was to rush to me at once. 
 
 Mistress Heron still looked puzzled and anxious, 
 but Toby, to whom this experience was far from 
 new, smiled and made ready to obey. 
 
 " Hist ! hist ! hist ! " impatiently. 
 
 " Yes, yes ; I m coming ! " 
 
 "Sh!" 
 
 313
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 Again I crossed to the lock side of the door. From 
 here I nodded to Toby, who at once shut off the light. 
 
 " Now," I said, speaking very low through the 
 horn, " what is it ? " 
 
 He whispered something too indistinctly for me 
 to catch ; but doubtless this was not accidental. 
 
 " Louder ! " I called, still speaking through my 
 trumpet, and keeping my head well past the side of 
 the door. 
 
 " Put your ear closer, or I shall be overheard. 
 The guards are in the passage aSbove. Hasten! I 
 may be discovered." 
 
 " I don t think they would injure you if they 
 should discover you," I muttered to myself. 
 
 " What ? " 
 
 " Nothing. I merely cursed the sentries." 
 
 " Oh ! Now, can you hear ? " 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " Hold your ear very close ; I dare not speak above 
 a whisper." 
 
 " Yes, I understand. Go on." 
 
 " You must escape at once through the secret pas 
 sage. Lord Cadwaller does not intend to starve you 
 out, as he said. Soon he will force the door when 
 you least expect it. You must not lose a moment. 
 Can you hear me ? " 
 
 I changed the horn from ear to mouth. " Yes. 
 But who are you ? I cannot recall your voice." 
 
 He muttered something that I could not make out.
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " What ? " I questioned. I fully expected what 
 followed ; for tis difficult to lime an old bird that has 
 been caught before. 
 
 " Sh ! Hold your ear closer. I dare not speak 
 louder." 
 
 " Very well. Now I can catch everything. What 
 name ? " 
 
 Crash! The parchment was snatched from my 
 hand as though struck by lightning; a flash of flame 
 leaped past my face ; the powder burned pungent in 
 my nose ; a crash of glass came from the table, where 
 the bullet had wrought havoc; Mistress Heron 
 screamed beyond my expectations ; Toby rolled out a 
 volley of epithets ; and I sat down quickly, raised my 
 leg, then let it fall to the floor with as great a noise 
 as possible. 
 
 " Oh, the villains ! Oh, the knaves ! They have 
 killed him ! They have killed him ! " Toby stormed 
 with surprising naturalness. 
 
 " Oh ! oh ! oh ! " the lady lamented. " The cow 
 ards ! The cowards ! " she denounced. 
 
 " Haste ! haste ! the lights ! " Cadwaller shouted. 
 " We have them now ! There s only that little devil 
 left ! Ha ! ha ! my lady, all s fair in love or war ! " 
 
 I took advantage of the uproar progressing on both 
 sides to rise painfully, with Toby s assistance, to my 
 feet. My side burned and throbbed even more 
 cruelly, and my head felt strangely light. 
 
 Down the stairs plunged the men in a body, while 
 
 315
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 his Lordship laughed excitedly and urged them to 
 force the door. 
 
 " Don t use your pistols ! " he shouted above the 
 sounds of the blows against the door. " Use your 
 swords. The lady must not be injured ! Cut down 
 the little devil whether he resists or not; he is too 
 wise ! Force it ! Force it ! Not so many ! You 
 are in each other s way ! Xow, force it ! " 
 
 " Come on ! " shouted Toby ; " I shall account for 
 a half dozen of you ay, more! Come, ravens, 
 ravens, come; but you will need eagles claws, my 
 ravens ! " The little man now stood with candle in 
 one hand and pistol in the other. " Do you want 
 them all here, Sir ? " he whispered. 
 
 " Yes, yes. Make as much noise as possible ; we 
 must attract them that guard the other end." 
 
 The fastening of the bolt was straining under the 
 weight of bodies being hurled against it. 
 
 " I ll scatter them," Toby growled. 
 
 " There ; a little more together ; you are wasting 
 your strength ! All hurl yourselves at the same mo 
 ment! A few more united blows will finish it! 
 My Lord was giving good advice. 
 
 I stood beside Mistress Heron by the open panel, 
 ready to make our exit when the proper time should 
 come. Toby moved quickly to the door and looked 
 carefully to his pistol, his fierce little face showing 
 set but mischievous in the light of the candle in his 
 hand. 
 
 316
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 Crash ! again came against the door, as the men 
 followed their master s directions. Zounds ! two 
 more blows like that and the bolt would burst. 
 
 " Well done ! " Cadwaller approved. " Three more 
 such blows and we shall be in ! " 
 
 Toby, with his pistol to the keyhole, paused, await 
 ing his opportunity. ... It came. He fired and 
 the sound of the explosion was mingled with cries 
 of consternation, oaths, a groan, and scampering of 
 feet. 
 
 " Ha ! ha ! " the little man laughed, thrusting the 
 empty weapon into his belt and drawing forth its 
 mate. " So my Lord is forgetful ! I thought I 
 taught your Lordship to avoid keyholes a little time 
 since ! " 
 
 " Ha ! ha ! Yes, damn you, little rat, and I taught 
 your master the same lesson more effectively! Ha! 
 ha ! " he mocked. 
 
 " Yes, murderer ! " Toby shouted, seemingly 
 choked with rage ; " and I will teach you a many les 
 sons ere you take me ! " 
 
 " Come, force the door, cowards ! Have you not 
 faced a pistol before now ? Must ye run ait every 
 sound, cowards ? " 
 
 " They have acquired the habit from association," 
 Toby put. 
 
 " Abide, abide, little rat ! I shall clip that sharp 
 tongue short in a moment ! Xow together ! " 
 
 Crash! The door bulged and groaned under the 
 
 3 1 /
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 heavy strain, the bolt bent and the staple drew farther 
 from the frame. Had it not been that Toby s bullet 
 had made the men fearful of the fatal keyhole I 
 doubt if the bolt could have withstood that blow. As 
 it was, the enemy clustered to the other side to the 
 side on which the hinges were which greatly dimin 
 ished the strain upon the bolt. 
 
 " Ha ! ha ! say your prayers, little rat ! One more 
 blow r will force it ! " 
 
 " I have three pistols still, my Lord. With each 
 of these pistols I shall kill one of your men, mayhap 
 your Lordship." 
 
 " Now ! " 
 
 But Toby was as quick as they. He pressed the 
 muzzle of his pistol against the panel upon which the 
 greatest \veight seemed to fall and fired. Again 
 there was a scattering and curses. But with these 
 came another sound, which gave me more satisfac 
 tion: it was the heavy fall of a body to the floor. 
 Toby s bullet had found its billet his Lordship had 
 lost a good man. 
 
 " Do you approve of my marksmanship, my 
 Lord ? " Toby laughed. " Of course I m shooting 
 under great difficulties. You see, a door is a thing 
 difficult to aim through. Xow a keyhole has its ad 
 vantages that is, when your target s ear is directly 
 opposite eh, my Lord ? " 
 
 " Move him aside, and call another to take his 
 place! Haste! Damnation! do you let one little 
 
 318
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 devil that would not make a half of any one of you 
 beat you off, when nothing but a shattered door 
 stands between you ? " 
 
 " Ha ! ha ! " Toby laughed derisively, as the 
 wounded or dead man was removed. " Keep 
 well to one side, my Lord; I have two pistols 
 left." 
 
 One of the men dashed up the stairs, and a moment 
 later I heard him shouting to one of his companions 
 to come to him. 
 
 Cadwaller made no reply to Toby s mocking. Be 
 hind his dignity he now took refuge, for behind it he 
 could keep from admitting that Toby so far was hav 
 ing the best of the fight. 
 
 I tiptoed softly to the table, and, taking up the 
 stool, returned to my position beside the panel. Then 
 I thought of the parchment that I had used as a 
 trumpet, and took a glance over the floor for it ; but 
 it was not to be seen, so I gave it no more heed. 
 Twas of no consequence save as a remembrance. 
 
 In the breathing-space that Cadwaller permitted, 
 Toby returned to the table and furiously reloaded 
 his pistols. His eyes twinkled like little stars be 
 neath two ragged clouds. The little man was in his 
 element Cadwaller was furnishing him with a rare; 
 delight. When the odds were two to one Toby s 
 spirits were at their highest. True, he frowned even 
 more than was his custom, but that was for the fear 
 he had for Mistress Heron s plight. His joy was
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 mixed with a keen anxiety, which made him ten 
 times more formidable. 
 
 The lady watched him with an undisguised fasci 
 nation. The strain upon her must have been terri 
 ble for even I (than who there is no older hand at 
 this kind of business) felt my muscles twitch and 
 tremble from the high tension of the seemingly un 
 ending situation of uncertainty , but still her eyes 
 twinkled mischievously as she watered the little 
 tiger taking advantage of every moment, word, or 
 movement. 
 
 The fellow that his Lordship had sent for assist 
 ance now rushed down the steps again, followed by 
 either one or two others. Our time was at an end. 
 By a bold front, a few shots and a little strategy, we 
 ha^d gained more than I had hoped ; but still I 
 doubted if it was sufficiently dark without to cover 
 our flight through the trees to the coach in case 
 those guarding the other end of the passage had been 
 withdrawn. And then there came to me the thought 
 that perhaps our men that guarded the carriage had 
 been captured, and that we should not find the coach 
 in waiting. Well, our position could be no worse 
 than it was, and meeting difficulties before they came 
 to me was a needless search for things with which I 
 already was abundantly supplied. As the fellows 
 reached the foot of the little stairs I dismissed all 
 such thoughts from my mind, crossed cautiously to 
 Toby and somewhat disappointed the little man by 
 
 320
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 directing him to take the candle and precede Mis 
 tress Heron along the secret passage. I had a plan 
 whereby Cadwaller s pursuit might be slightly de 
 layed after we should have left the room. Twould 
 be of assistance only if he should know which was 
 the secret panel. But I doubted not that the traitor 
 had told him all. 
 
 " Now/ Cadwaller growled, " you have but one 
 man opposed to you, and if you don t force that door, 
 despite his pistols, I shall have every man of you 
 lashed into a jelly ! " 
 
 I quickly stepped after Mistress Heron taking 
 the stool with me and paused for a moment to look 
 back. Toby ahead had the candle, so the room was 
 in darkness nothing could be seen save a faint glim 
 mering of light through the holes in the door. I 
 softly closed the panel and placed the stool against 
 it, so that it could open but a few inches, for the 
 stool would then be jammed between the panel and 
 one of the stone walls of the passage. 
 
 " Now, all together ! Make one blow do it ! " my 
 Lord directed. 
 
 Crash! and instantly another crash. The door 
 was open. It had been forced from its hinges. The 
 second crash was its fall to the floor. 
 
 I waited for no more, but hastened after my com 
 panions as quickly as my stiff hip and stabbing side 
 would permit. Coming faintly to me as I tottered 
 
 21 321
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 on were the sounds of rushing heavy feet, calls for 
 light, cries of disappointment, and colossal oaths. I 
 smiled as I pictured the look Cadwaller wore when 
 he discovered not my dead and bloody body. 
 
 322
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 THE exertion was beginning to tell against my 
 strength. Several times, as I hastened through the 
 chilly passage, my legs wabbled treacherously, and 
 once or twice I bumped against the wall. My breath 
 came with an effort, and a sickening feeling of weak 
 ness stole slowly through my body, gnawing at my 
 heart, eating my resolution. A great part of my 
 blood had been lost the night before, and as yet I 
 had not had sufficient time to renew the supply. 
 Nature may IDC strained and stretched to a great ex 
 tent, but she will not be abused beyond a certain 
 point. I now felt that I was rapidly drawing near 
 that point. Nothing but an iron will and hasty ac 
 tion could carry me through. But through I would 
 go; to fail now would be too terrible. If fighting 
 were to be done, it would ibe done within the next 
 few minutes ; after that, the work would fall to Toiby 
 alone. And the King ! Yes, I should see the King. 
 Ah ! and Sir Charles was still to be considered. 
 Could I hold out? I began to doubt it. Yes, I 
 would hold out! Doubt could not be entertained 
 nor encouraged. Where was Sir Charles ? I could 
 not tell. He had said that if Cadwaller could be 
 detained his overthrow was certain. Well, he had 
 
 323
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 been detained. But had his detention been suf 
 ficiently long? I hoped so, but doubted. And then, 
 Sir Charles had warned me that he might be con 
 sidered my enemy after the Earl should be undone. 
 Ha! I must overcome him, too! A pleasant pros 
 pect, when his Lordship had not yet been repulsed. 
 But the King ! the King ! Ah ! how could I meet 
 my greatest opponent ? If I could but escape and 
 see him I had a plan whereby strategy might win. 
 But could I hold out ? Would my strength fail me ? 
 A mountain of forbidding obstacles rose before me. 
 Could I sweep them aside with a failing hand ? My 
 heart sank. " My God, I must ! " I groaned 
 through tight-clenched teeth. " I must ! I must ! I 
 must ! " My heart beat like a heavy hammer ; my 
 breath came like sobbing; I trembled weakly, but 
 hastened on, borne down by the weight of my sword 
 find pistols. 
 
 " Are you there ? May I help you ? " The lady 
 tiirned to reach out a helping hand. 
 
 " Js T o, no ! After Toby ! Quick, for God s sake ! 
 They re forcing the panel! Julius has pointed it 
 out ! " 
 
 " Your strength fails you ! Let me take your 
 hand, please ! " 
 
 " Xo, you must show Toby how to get out ! One 
 moment may ruin all ! " 
 
 She fluttered away after the flickering candle, but 
 turned, as she drew near the little man, and looked 
 back. 
 
 324
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " Xoble, noble lady ! " I whispered. " Ah ! and 
 she loves, she loves ! But why is he not here, shar 
 ing her danger? My God, if I fail, he shall have 
 my dying curse ! " I ground my teeth and stumbled 
 onward, my hand held to my wound to relieve it of 
 the jolting. 
 
 Would that dark cold passage never end? It 
 seemed that I had traveled miles, and still the candle 
 flickered far ahead, where Toby s hat cut through 
 the air before it. Of a sudden the cold atmosphere 
 seemed to strike my heart. A chill ran through me. 
 It jerked back my head, shook it from side to side, 
 then hurled me forward gasping. 
 
 Far in the rear a loud crashing of oak sounded 
 through the darkness. By this time, doubtless, Cad- 
 waller s men were rushing to cut us off. There could 
 be but one or two at most guarding the panel to which 
 we were fleeing, but the others would hasten to the 
 gates if they had not discovered the coach. In thd 
 latter case, they would rush to the assistance of them 
 that waited us. His Lordship s rage at being (baffled 
 had blinded him to the uselessness of following us 
 through the passage, but surely it would not cause 
 him to overlook the necessity of cutting us off ahead ! 
 " Perhaps it will ! " T thought, and, stimulated b\ 
 the new hope, dashed on, keeping to the right to save 
 my wounded side those savage blows when I lurched 
 against the wall. 
 
 Ah ! the candle stopped. Mistress Heron sprang 
 
 325,
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 to Toby s side, her hands above her head she was 
 opening the secret panel. She glanced back over her 
 shoulder and paused. 
 
 " Go on ! Go on ! I come ! I come ! " I shouted 
 hoarsely, and pressed forward. 
 
 Still she waited ; she would not move until sure 
 that I should go with them noble soul! 
 
 " Toby, take his arm," she commanded, as I came 
 labouring up. "Oh, this will kill you, I know! 
 Your face is drawn with agony ! " 
 
 I leaned against the wall, waved Toby aside, and 
 pointed to the panel. 
 
 " Quick ! the coach ! Toby, not another halt ! 
 Madam, haste ! " 
 
 Still she paused, watching me with troubled, beau 
 teous eyes. 
 
 "For God s sake!" I cried. 
 
 " Guard him well, Toby. I look to you for his 
 safety." Zooks! one would think I was the charge 
 that Cadwaller had called me. 
 
 " One moment is worth everything ! " I groaned. 
 " Toby, I keep a pistol for you if you look back ! 
 Haste ! " I whispered in his ear. " Carry her, if she 
 will go no other way ! " 
 
 Toby s face was inscrutable. Not a feature 
 changed, but his eyes were more gentle than was 
 usual. 
 
 " Remember," I whispered again, " if you stop I 
 shall kill you, though you are my best friend." 
 
 326
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 He said nothing merely touched his hat, drew 
 forth his sword and stepped from the passage the 
 moment Mistress Heron opened the panel. 
 
 The cell into which we followed the little man was 
 very small, without a window mayhap a dungeon 
 in the old, old days. Opposite the secret passage 
 was a short flight of stone steps (the whole room was 
 in stone) leading to a battered and heavily studded 
 door. 
 
 As I closed the panel a faint sound came crawling 
 through the darkness behind me. My Lord was 
 thundering still at the other end. 
 
 Toby sprang up the steps. 
 
 " Toby," the lady whispered, " before leaving the 
 next room, put out the light." 
 
 " Ay, Madam." 
 
 The door was not fastened. Toby swept on. Mis 
 tress Heron stopped at the foot of the steps and 
 seized my arm. 
 
 " Oh ! " I protested, " you put me to shame, 
 Madam." 
 
 " Then you shall bear me company. I shame to 
 be the cause of your suffering. Another man would 
 be dead of such wounds and torture." 
 
 " Oh, I am strong quite strong! " 
 
 " And not a murmur ! " Her voice caught a 
 little. " Ah ! why could not the King be such a 
 man ? " 
 
 I looked at her in surprise, scarce believing my 
 
 327
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 ears. True, the night before she had called me a 
 hero, quite without reason, but then her excitement 
 was a sufficient excuse for the extravagance ; now the 
 same explanation did not come to me. My ears 
 throbbed and my heart stood still, but Toby s candle 
 cast too uncertain a light for me to read her face. 
 Then I remembered her love for another. I smiled 
 sadly and wondered if I, at my best, reminded her of 
 him. " Ah, that must be it ! " I groaned within me, 
 and, clutching a pistol, followed Toby into the old 
 stone hall. 
 
 Directly opposite the door through which we en 
 tered was the stairs that lead to Sir Alfred s room of 
 glass above, and to our left the door to the outside 
 where the struggle would take place, I feared. 
 
 Toby advanced quickly, but with caution, stepping 
 upon his toes, his head thrust forward, his sword 
 raised to his waist and clutched with a vigour that 
 meant Beware. 
 
 He obeyed my directions not to look back, and 
 moved steadily forward, thrusting his head farther 
 out at every step. Mistress Heron still held my arm 
 in kind assistance, despite my admonitions to keep 
 by Toby. We were at the little man s heels when ho 
 paused at the door, put the candle upon the floor, and, 
 quickly seizing the knob, tried it. 
 
 " Not locked," he whispered. 
 
 The lady stooped and blew out the light. Toby 
 swung the door open, and sprang forth. Thank 
 
 328
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 Heaven, twas almost dark without! The western 
 sky was a deep, dull red; thick and heavy clouds 
 were rolling swiftly to the west, and adding to the 
 gloom with every moment. Not a sound greeted the 
 little man s exit not a sound. I stood aside and 
 forced my gentle helper to pass out, while I closed 
 the door. Still not a sound. Toby seized the lady s 
 arm and started almost at a. run toward the deep 
 shadows of the trees. She protested, struggled, and 
 (rven struck at him, looking over her shoulder at me 
 in vain. He was inexorable. No halt would he 
 make nor backward glance. He knew my mind, and 
 knew that I meant what I had said. I hastened 
 after as fast as my tottering legs would bear me. In 
 the shadow of the first tree I glanced back, gasping 
 and glad for the pause. 
 
 Zounds! there it was the thing that I most 
 dreaded. A black shadowy form slunk from a cor- 
 near near the door and glided noiselessly, swiftly 
 toward the ^ing in which we had left Cadwaller. 
 For but a moment I saw it, then the darkness closed 
 in more thickly and swallowed it up. 
 
 A shiver ran down my Iback; my little remaining 
 strength seemed suddenly to leave me, and I was 
 forced to seize the tree to keep from falling. 
 
 A little cry came to me, then the sounds of a strug 
 gle and I heard Mistress Heron s voice. 
 
 " Do as I bid you, or I shall call them to us ! " she 
 threatened. 
 
 329
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " And then they would kill him at once," Toby 
 growled. " Come, Madam ; I must use force if 
 necessary. I m only obeying orders. He d rather 
 die than fail, Madam." 
 
 Another little struggle. 
 
 My blood sprang through my veins with a new life. 
 Her fear for me was like to ruin all. I ground my 
 teeth, clenched my pistol, pressed my hand to my 
 side, and forced myself along. 
 
 "Oh, Toby, Toby! how can you do it?" Her 
 voice was choked with sobs, and carried a reproach 
 that cut the heart in twain. " And and he 
 loves he loves you, Toby ! He told told me so ! 
 Oh, I cannot, I will not leave him to be murdered ! 
 Toby ! Coward ! Devil ! Let me save him ! My 
 God ! I must save him ! " Her voice rose to a 
 scream of frenzy. " I must ! I must ! I will ! I 
 will save him ! I ll kill you ! Fiend ! Fiend ! " 
 
 Her struggles had delayed them so I was now but 
 a few paces behind. 
 
 " Oh ! oh ! oh ! " I heard her weep. Then her 
 voice sank to a sobbing moan, as the remorseless little 
 man slowly carried her along. 
 
 Twas growing very dark beneath the trees, and 
 overhead the wind began to rustle through the leaves 
 a warning that the rain was near at hand. 
 
 " On, on, Toby ! " I gasped. 
 
 " Let me walk," the lady commanded. " I will 
 go. Help your master." 
 
 330
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 "No! I shall follow! The coach ! Haste ! 
 Have the men ready ! " 
 
 Toby uttered no sound. He let his fair burden 
 down and, seizing her hand, dashed forward once 
 more, dragging her along. 
 
 On, on, on we went, the shadows growing deeper 
 with every step, and the wind puffing up cooler and 
 stronger after each lull. Would the sight of the 
 coach ever cheer me ? Would that straining flight, 
 that age of torture, never cease ? My head rolled 
 backward and forward, and from side to side, with 
 every laboured step ; my breath came in great, pain 
 ful sobs, straining through my closing throat; my 
 feet clung to the earth when I lifted them and crashed 
 against it when I put them down. Great God ! the 
 jolting was an agony that wrenched my heart and 
 dropped my jaw. A glass of wine, and I could have 
 been a man ay, even a moment s rest would have 
 revived me much. But the long wait in the cellar, 
 the flight through the chilling passage, and this never- 
 ending stumbling through the trees were trials too 
 great, too great ! On, on, on, ever onward ! Had we 
 missed the coach in the growing darkness ? Had its 
 hiding-place been revealed to Cadwaller? Surely 
 either one or the other of these calamities had hap 
 pened ! . . . Still Toby pressed onward, dragging 
 the kindest heart in the whole broad world be 
 hind him. My sobbing gasps for breath roared in 
 my ears until I thought our foes would hear, and 
 
 33 1
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 thus we should be betrayed. . . . Still Toby wound 
 his way through the trees. 
 
 " He surely must, know where the coach should 
 be ! " 1 thought, " We have not reached the place. 
 Can we reach the place ? " I moaned. 
 
 " Xo, no, you cannot, Mark Everard ! " something 
 bellowed in my ear. 
 
 " Ha ! ha ! I cannot, eh ! " came whistling through 
 my teeth. 
 
 Then I bumped against a tree, my forehead strik 
 ing the rough bark with a cutting force. I sank to 
 my knee, then slipped lower, lurched to one side, and 
 lay gasping. 
 
 A cry came to me. " I will not go ! He has 
 fallen ! Is this your love for him ? " More fol 
 lowed indistinctly. Then came a scream, but it was 
 partly drowned in a rumible of thunder and the rus 
 tling of the leaves. 
 
 I felt the warm moisture trickle across my fore 
 head. It revived me. My side stabbed ajid burned 
 shrewdly. It angered me. That voice, that scream, 
 thrilled through my veins and burned my heart like 
 fire. That called me on. That voice, that sobbing 
 little cry of pain, commanded my presence where it 
 was. Ah, that was a power from which naught but 
 the hand of death could hold back ! Where that voice 
 called I would go on until my worthless life all should 
 be done. 
 
 " On, on, Mark Everard, unworthy braggart ! 
 
 332
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 What! do you falter now? Would you turn pol 
 troon at last; become the thing you always have 
 despised ; lose your last virtue, and prove your 
 father s curse well justified ? No, no ! follow her 
 until your last breath leaves ! " I raged and struggled 
 on. 
 
 The lightning flashed brightly now, and the thun 
 der rolled nearer ; the trees bent and lashed under the 
 strain of the wind, then stood still for a moment, 
 while the Storm God held his breath, only to toss 
 more vigorously at the next blast. ... A rough 
 night seemed certain. 
 
 The blood from the cut in my forehead, where I 
 had bumped it against the tree, trickled into my eyes 
 and half blinded me. I cursed, wiped it away, and 
 drew my hat more over my brows, that I might ap 
 pear less shocking. My whole side was on fire now, 
 and since my fall my head throbbed the more, and 
 my breath came still as painfully. But my deter 
 mination was greater, and I hurled myself onward 
 with a reckless fury. 
 
 Ever deeper grew the darkness, ever nearer rolled 
 the storm, and ever farther Toby wound his way 
 through the great black bodies of the trees. Time 
 after time I lost sight of my leaders as I staggered, 
 grim and bloody, along the dark and hopeless trail; 
 but time after time I grasped my pistol tighter when 
 a flash of lightning burned blue beyond them, show 
 ing a white face turned back in dumb encourage- 
 
 333
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 jnent, I fancied I could see those soft dark eyes 
 come back to me, tender and sweetly tearful, after 
 each bright flash. Before my face they floated, burn 
 ing into my soul, filling me with a new hope and re 
 viving my sorry strength. " Come, come," they 
 pleaded, u come on yet a little, and you shall have 
 your rest. Come ; you will save me if you fail not 
 now. The way is weary, but it is for me if you fail 
 cannot fail ; I have called you i hero. On, on, on, 
 but a little more. You are nobler now than you were 
 last night. On, on, on ; you cannot fail ; it is for me- 
 On, on, my hero ; tis my voice that calls." 
 
 " I come, I come ! " I sobbed aloud, then wiped 
 my eyes again and dashed forward. 
 
 Flaph, flash, flash, came the light in quick succes 
 sion. . . . The coach stood huge, black and strong 
 beneath a great old tree. Men and horses were bus 
 tling about ; the door was open, and Toby was lifting 
 his precious charge within. Ere the last light died 
 I saw her turn and wildly point back through the 
 trees. Her voice was killed in the roll of thunder. 
 
 " Thank God for the darkness and the storm ! " T 
 wheezed, and zigzagged slowly on. 
 
 Again the lightning, sharp-toothed and long, shot 
 down the night before me. Blue fiery balls burned 
 deep into my eyes. The thunder ripped the clouds 
 apart and shook the rocking earth. The trees bent 
 down, shrieking and tremblinsr, clinging to the 
 ground. T saw no coach nor soldiers now saw noth- 
 
 334
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 ing but the balls of fire, heard nothing but the screech 
 ing of the trees. My own gasps for breath were 
 whisked away and lost to my throbbing ears. . . . 
 Once more the lightning flashed. Still I could see 
 no coach. The trees stood great and black around 
 me. !N^o lovely face looked back and coaxed me on. 
 
 " Gone," I whispered to the raging blast " gone. 
 She has gone forever, Mark Everard, poor fool ? poor 
 fool, poor fool I " 
 
 " Ha I ha I " the wind laughed in my teeth. 
 " Yea, gone to where Cadwaller waits with folded 
 arms I Ha \ ha \ Mark Everard, you are done at 
 last \ " 
 
 " Who s that ? It is a lie \ " I shouted back, and 
 raised my pistol. 
 
 " Ha I ha I your hour is come ; and in your last 
 moment tis Defeat that cheers I " 
 
 I braced my back against a tree. " Ah \ old De 
 feat and Death \ I ve faced you many times, but 
 never yet have felt your touch. Come, come, my 
 friends, there ll be no compromise. Come on; 
 you ve eaten up my breath I " 
 
 The lightning still blazed before my eyes, shooting 
 balls of fire and blackness alternately across my field 
 of vision. But through all this confusion I could 
 see two dark forms coming on. When I raised my 
 pistol they hastily drew back and separated, then dis 
 appeared. 
 
 "Ila! ha! " I laughed, "you fear me still! Ah, 
 
 335
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 a losing game I play, therefore the nobler! Come 
 on ; but little of me now is left ; I would play my 
 last card well ! " 
 
 No sight there was of them. Even the lightning s 
 flash showed naught but lashing trees and rich green 
 sward. I stepped from the tree, my knees bending 
 treacherously as I staggered out. The wind whisked 
 the hat from my head, and my hair, freed, irritating- 
 ly lashed my eyes. Poor bruised and haggard out 
 cast, I stood persecuted by Xature s every force; 
 mocked by the laughing, whistling wind, blinked by 
 the burning, crackling light, deafened by the roaring, 
 shaking thunder, while fat Defeat and heavy Death 
 lurked greedily behind the trees. . . . But she, I 
 prayed, was safe. 
 
 " You fear me still ! " I laughed again. " Come, 
 come, make haste before I fall! you ll have 
 more glory so ! " 
 
 Flash, flash, flash, the blinding light came ever 
 again, and the thunder shook the earth. I staggered 
 back, my palm pressed to my eyes. ... A hand 
 seized my wrist, an arm wound around my waist, then 
 another seized my legs. 
 
 " Ah ! And trapped by cowards in the end ! 
 My failures are complete ! " 
 
 I would not please them with a struggle they 
 would laugh at my weakness, I feared. T sank 
 into their arms, and lay gasping, as the first large 
 drops beat through the leaves. 
 
 336
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 A hat was stuck upon my head. " Now," said 
 a heavy voice, and I was lifted from the ground. 
 
 " A curse upon her skulking lover ! " I shouted 
 as the thunder crashed. . . . Then I sank into peace 
 ful blackness. 
 
 22 337
 
 CHAPTEK XX. 
 
 THE rain was falling in heavy sheets upon some 
 thing that gave it a hollow sound. . . . The lightning 
 flashed in but one place, forming a square of light in 
 a frame of black. . . . The thunder still rolled, but 
 less heavily the rain was drowning its voice. ... I 
 began to develop the feeling that I was moving ; and I 
 soon made out a rumble, as of wheels. Something 
 was across my forehead something soft, as a cloth. 
 A jolt shook me up a little, and I knew for a surety 
 that I was in a coach. I raised my hand quickly to 
 my head and started with the discovery that my 
 fingers still grasped a pistol. 
 
 " Thank God ! " 
 
 Twas her voice, I should swear ! 
 
 " Ah ! have we passed the gates ? " I cried, quickly 
 sitting up and gasping in a deep breath of the cool 
 wet air. 
 
 "Hush! !NTo; we have just started toward them." 
 Her voice was broken, and shook painfully. But, 
 then, what other woman would have had her con 
 sciousness even? 
 
 " And did Toby wait for me ? " I demanded an- 
 
 333
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 grily. (The lightning flashed brightly, and I saw 
 the little man on the other seat.) " Have my orders 
 weight no more ? " 
 
 " No, no hush ! Toby is not to blame. I I 
 forced him to wait." 
 
 " Forced him, Madam ! " 
 
 " Yes, yes ; but let it pass." 
 
 " Yes, let it pass, but we, I fear, may not." 
 
 "Not what?" 
 
 " Not pass the gates. Toby is easily forced of 
 late." 
 
 My heart was bitter, for all my pains were like to 
 be in vain. 
 
 " No. Do not blame him. I I held a pistol 
 to his head. He he could not help it." 
 
 " You you held a pistol to his head ? " 
 
 " Yes. He forced me into the coach ; and you 
 turned and staggered off in the wrong direction. 
 Had you been killed I should have felt your blood 
 upon my head ! I I could not hear to see such 
 murder ! I snatched a pistol from Toby s belt ! 
 I could not help it ! I would do it again ! " 
 
 " Ah ! " I said quietly. My heart would let me 
 say no more. 
 
 " Now you are with us ; and if we fail, we all shall 
 fail together ! " Her voice still shook, but not from 
 fear, I know. 
 
 I sat still, taking deep and rapid breaths of the 
 strength-reviving air. Toby said no word, but now 
 
 339
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 and again, when the lightning blazed, I saw him 
 staring out his hat drawn fiercely forward, and a 
 pistol in his hand. My anger melted as I thought 
 of the sacrifice the noble little man had made that he 
 might obey my last command. He had forced on 
 to tlio co^h. and would not have lost a minute, oven 
 though I should have been left behind. Ah, you 
 that know not Toby s love for me cannot imagine 
 what that meant to him ! It tore his heart, I war 
 rant ; and I wonder not that he so calmly submitted 
 when the lady put the pistol to his head. And she ! 
 Dear, noble soul ! In the darkness I stealthily 
 drew my handkerchief and wiped my eyes. ... I 
 was very weak. 
 
 The coach proceeded slowly the horses walked. 
 We were on a level road now. The jolt that had 
 roused me to reality was when we left the turf and 
 trees behind. The storm was rolling over; the rain 
 was falling less heavily with every passing moment. 
 I peered forth and saw that clouds in black and 
 ragged mats were scudding hastily across the sky, 
 and in one spot taking on faint silvery edges. The 
 splashing of the horses feet came to me clearly a^ 
 the rain lessened, and the grinding of the wheels 
 upon the gravel sounded alarmingly loud. 
 
 " Which gate ? " I asked. 
 
 " The front, Sir." Toby s voice was low and 
 hollow. 
 
 I reached forward and put my hand upon his 
 
 340
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 shoulder. " Forgive me, old friend," I said sin 
 cerely. " Faith, my temper has not improved, I 
 fear." 
 
 He cleared his throat very gruffly. " Storm s 
 passing, Sir," came out of the darkness. 
 
 " Yes, Toby, in more senses than one." 
 
 " Now, that is better, much better," said the lady. 
 " Our forces again are united. You both are too 
 brave to quarrel between yourselves." 
 
 Toby coughed uneasily. 
 
 " Why the front gate ? " I asked presently, to 
 break the stillness. 
 
 " I thought they would expect us to leave by the 
 other, Sir." 
 
 I considered a moment. " Yes, and the rear gate 
 may be locked. They can only bar the front one 
 since the lock is shattered. Hark! What is that? " 
 
 " Our men crossing the little bridge, Sir." 
 
 " Ah ! There ll be a fight at the gate, To>by. Are 
 your pistols dry ? " 
 
 " Yes, Sir. Yours may be wet, Sir. Will you 
 take one of mine ? " 
 
 " No, Toby ; my hand is something unsteady to 
 night. I ll trust to the stout old blade." 
 
 I felt an arm tremble against my side. 
 
 " Are you are you determined ? " Her voice 
 came in an almost whisper. 
 
 I laughed forcedly a little. " Nay, Madam, I ll 
 say resigned." 
 
 341
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 I felt her shudder. 
 
 In another moment we were crossing the little rus 
 tic bridge. We went very slowly and carefully, for 
 the coach completely filled the passage. Indeed 
 careful management on the part of the driver was 
 required to guide us along the path even ; for it was 
 but a walk, too narrow by far for a coaoh. 
 
 " The dear old bridge/ she murmured. 
 
 " How long, how long ago," I sighed, not knowing 
 that I spoke aloud. 
 
 " Yes. And yet but a fortnight. Will it ever 
 again be peaceful? Do the fishes still haunt this 
 dear spot, or have they left in fear ? Oh, the change 
 since yesterday ! " Again she shuddered and 
 pressed back into the cushions. 
 
 " There is where I stood and thought aloud," I 
 whispered. 
 
 " And here you gave your sword in my defence." 
 
 " In which it has been of but little servcie." 
 
 " Oh, you are unjust ! Is it no service to save me 
 then?" 
 
 " But I have not." 
 
 " You will." She spoke with a confidence not 
 warranted by the circumstances. Her faith in mo 
 was strangely great. 
 
 Again I swore I would not fail. 
 
 Twas very dark now, for the lightning was far 
 to the west, where the thunder still rolled as a dis 
 tant growl of wrath. The rain still drizzled a little, 
 
 342
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 but the moon was struggling determinedly to pene 
 trate the clouds. The bushes at the sides of the path 
 scraped and snapped aloud as the great wheels 
 ground them down. The strain upon our spirits 
 grew great. Slowly we were drawing near the place 
 where our fate would be decided. Either we should 
 pass forth secretly and unharmed or a fight awaited 
 us, the, result of which was only too certain. The 
 darkness was full of dread, but in it lay our greatest 
 hopes. If we could reach the gates ere the moon 
 would break forth we might break through the enemy 
 in the darkness. But the crackling of the tushes was 
 as a messenger sent before. Twas scarcely possible 
 that we should have the good fortune to get very near 
 without attracting attention ; for I was forced to ex 
 pect to find Cadwaller and his men awaiting. What 
 Toby had said might be true ; my Lord might expect 
 us to attempt to leave by the other gate. But it was 
 not likely that the main entrance would be left un 
 guarded. The blackness gradually took on a gray 
 ish look the moon was winning its icontest. I 
 clenched my teeth the tighter and leaned forward to 
 listen. We must have been very near the gates by 
 this. Would the clouds hold out until we should 
 have passed ? 
 
 A chill ran up my back and shook my head. 
 " What is it ? " Her voice was low but anxious, 
 " Nothing, Madam. I but trembled with excite 
 ment." 
 
 343
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " Not a chill ? " 
 
 "No, Madam." I lied to allay her alarm. A 
 burning disk, with the gash over my ribs for a cen 
 tre, was growing quickly. It. now covered my whole 
 side and arm, and was rushing swiftly to my head. 
 I felt my strength returning as it ran through my 
 veins. 
 
 The coach came to a stop. 
 
 " We re near the gate. Shall we make a dash for 
 it ? " The voice came from without. One of our 
 mounted men was leaning from his saddle and speak 
 ing through the window. 
 
 " Have we reached the main drive ? " 
 
 The fellow started I heard him catch his breath. 
 Doubtless my voice, still full of life, surprised him. 
 
 " Yes yes, Sir. We are now at the end of the 
 narrow path, Sir." 
 
 " Then strike the first blow. Tell the driver to 
 keep close behind you." 
 
 He moved on. In another moment we were fol 
 lowing. 
 
 " At the end of the narrow path," I thought. " We 
 now enter the broad road which leads to destruc 
 tion." 
 
 Another chill ran through me. I held my breath, 
 clenched my fists, and overcame the shaking. 
 
 We turned into the main drive. The moon broke 
 through her cloudy wrappings. A pistol-shot 
 snapped sharply near the gates. Then loud cheering 
 
 344
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 and shouted orders drowned all other sounds. We 
 were discovered. The fight was almost on. 
 
 With hands of fire I undid the fastenings of the 
 door. 
 
 " Now, Toby." 
 
 " Be careful, Sir." And he followed my example 
 on the other side. 
 
 The lady put her hand upon my arm. " Wait. 
 Xot until you must," she pleaded. " It may not be 
 necessary." 
 
 The moon was at its full, and now, having broken 
 clear, flooded the earth almost to the brightness of 
 the day. The dropis depending from the leaves 
 glistened like polished jewels. I cursed the sudden 
 flood of beauty, and thrust forth my head to see what 
 force opposed. 
 
 Three I saw clearly, all mounted, at my side. 
 
 " How many there, Toby ? " 
 
 " Two, Sir only two ! " 
 
 The gates were closed and barred. 
 
 With a cheer our two men dashed ahead, attack 
 ing the five awaiting. Their swords flashed in the 
 moonlight ; for their pistols all were wet. In an in 
 stant the little forces met. The blades crashed in 
 the first encounter ; a pistol cracked, but no one fell. 
 From where we waited nothing could be seen dis 
 tinctly. A rush of men and horses, winding in and 
 out, to the accompaniment of clicking, whistling 
 steel, was all we could make out. Two men one 
 
 345
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 was the wounded Denton matched against five. 
 What the result would be was only too plain. 
 
 I had thought to see some of the knaves come to 
 attack the coach, but they chose a wiser plan. United 
 they would overcome the two, then still united over 
 whelm us. Twas a clever plan good generalship 
 but I hoped to spoil it. 
 
 I swung the door open and leaned out. 
 
 " Drive on ! " I shouted. " Divide them ! Forco 
 your horses through ! Haste, or they ll have your 
 comrades overcome! " 
 
 " Ay, Sir ! " He lashed the horses and they 
 sprang forward and into the mass of struggling men 
 and beasts. 
 
 This sudden move caused consternation. For a 
 moment the struggle stopped. Then I heard Cad- 
 waller s voice. 
 
 " Strike, and strike quickly ! Watch the coach ! " 
 
 They were at it again ere one might draw a breath. 
 
 Toby sprang from his door and slammed it shut 
 behind him. I followed his lead, and rushed to meet 
 the first approaching horseman. . . . Twas the Earl 
 of Cadwaller, himself. 
 
 " Well met, sly fox ! " he snarled. " I ll see if 
 you re proof to the blade as to the bullet ! " 
 
 He spurred his mount and dashed forward, as 
 though to ride me down. I stepped to one side and 
 guarded, then pointed furiously beneath his arm. 
 Jll luck! I missed him by an inch. He wheeled 
 
 346
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 his horse within its length to cut me from the coach. 
 I saw his plan and sprang to the door before him, 
 then struck as he went past. He swore, tout caught 
 it manfully, and wheeled about again. 
 
 Toby s loud cheer came from the other side. His 
 pistol cracked. " One down ! " he shouted. " My 
 Lord should guard the gate ! " 
 
 The burning fever drove me mad, but lent me a 
 giant s strength^ I (clutched the door, and then 
 stood waiting his Lordship s rush. 
 
 " Ha ! " cried the man from the driver s seat, and 
 a bright flash cut through the moonlight. I looked 
 again and saw my Lord s great horse, with head 
 flung high, rush backward under the spreading 
 branches of a tree. 
 
 " Well done ! " I cried. " But keep your horses 
 well in hand, my man!" (The ready fellow had 
 struck Cadwaller s mount across the nose with the 
 flat of his heavy sword). 
 
 " I ll crop your ears for that, you knave ! Know 
 you not that you are helping the King s enemies to 
 escape ? Lift not your blade again ! In the King s 
 name T command it! You wear the uniform be 
 ware ! " The Earl s loud voice shook with a fiery 
 rage, as he struggled to control his horse made mad 
 with pain. 
 
 " Keep back ! Keep back ! " the lady pleaded in 
 my ear. " Do not fight unless 1 you must ! Remem 
 ber your wound ! " 
 
 347
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " Ah, but I cannot die ! My strength is coming 
 back ! My weight seems naught ! I walk upon the 
 moonbeams ! Xone here can kill me, I know ! My 
 brain is all afire ! " 
 
 "What ails you? Oh, what ails you? Why, 
 why these wild words ? " She seized my hand where 
 I clutched the door. " Oh ! oh ! " she cried. " As I 
 feared ! As I feared ! " Her voice died out in a 
 shudder, and she sank back into the darkness of the 
 coach. 
 
 Cadwaller still struggled with his horse. He had 
 great difficulty to retain his seat, for more than once 
 the branches almost swept him to the ground. Toby, 
 at the other side, still made the night to ring with 
 blows and mocking shouts. The other men fought 
 back and forth, hard pressed and harder pressing; 
 their horses plunging, rearing, circling, pawing dust, 
 while cut and thrust shot through the greenish light 
 unceasingly. The man upon the driver s seat now 
 had his hands well filled, for the sound and flash of 
 savage steel alarmed his horses. They plunged and 
 reared, ran back this way and that, and called the 
 lash well into play. 
 
 " Why do you stand back, my Lord ? " I laughed. 
 " Come forth ! Come forth ! " 
 
 His horse sprang high in air and dashed far out, 
 goaded to fury by the spur. I raised my point and 
 rushed to meet him. A curse from Cadwaller, a 
 flourish from me, and the maddened beast swung 
 
 348
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 quickly to one side, seized the bit "between its teeth 
 and plunged beneath the trees. On he rushed, the 
 little branches snapping as he went. 
 
 " Ha ! ha ! " I laughed, " you re saved, my 
 Lord, for a few short moments longer ! " 
 
 I sprang toward the gate, dodged quickly through 
 the group of wheeling horses and reached to lift the 
 heavy bar. 
 
 But something made me turn my heajd- A beat 
 ing of horses hoofs came down the drive from the 
 direction of the house. I then saw the reason for 
 the pistol-shot and cheers and shouts when we came 
 into view: twas a signal to them that waited the 
 remnant of his Lordship s band. 
 
 I turned again to lift the bar ; but my eyes, burn 
 ing like coals of fire, seeing everything, and I felt 
 casting two bright searching lights, flashed upon 
 something that made me catch my breath. 
 
 I was directly before the porter s lodge. No light 
 was burning within, but the door stood wide open. 
 For the last five minutes not a thought of Julius had 
 crossed my mind ; but now, with the open door before 
 me, another chill ran through my burning frame. 
 That hideous thing was not human. Where did it 
 lurk in the darkness ? What hellish plan did it have 
 afoot ? I lifted one end of the bar and dropped it 
 to the ground. 
 
 " Ocl s life ! " I gasped, and raised my pistol. 
 
 From a dark corner of the lodge a black form had 
 
 349
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 sprung. In its hand was a knife the moon gleamed 
 upon it. The men were fighting furiously, but poor 
 Denton had been forced back because of weakness 
 from his wound. His antagonist drove blow upon 
 blow in heavy swings straight at his head. But the 
 hardy fellow caught them manfully, slowly giving 
 ground toward the lodge. The black figure darted 
 at him from the rear, drew back its knife and struck 
 a coward s blow at the horse s leg. My pistol failed 
 me. I threw it at the devil s head and sprang toward 
 him but too late. The poor beast snorted and 
 threw high its head, fell back upon its haunches, 
 then toppled to its side. The other mounted fellow 
 swung about and faced me readily He spurred his 
 beast and dashed at me. But I flung my hat in the 
 horse s face and rushed at the fiend in black. 
 
 During all this Toby still fought at the other side, 
 his mounted opponent proving his manhood thor 
 oughly by holding out so long against that mighty 
 blade. The coach-horses still reared and plunged. 
 Despite the driver s lash they forced the carriage back 
 and to one side, under the great limbs of a tree. 
 
 " Now, murdering dog, you face me for the last j 
 this time upon the ground ! " I swore and drew my 
 sword. 
 
 He shrank back from me into the deeper shadows, 
 snarling like a kicked mad dog. 
 
 The sounds of galloping down the drive drew 
 near; they thundered a2ross the bridge 
 
 350
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 I sprang after Julius, but a rush came behind me } 
 and I wheeled just in time to guard a heavy blow 
 aimed at my head by the fellow whose horse I had 
 frightened. I slapped the beast upon the flank with 
 the flat of my blade, and it reared ajid danced un 
 manageably about. The fellow gasped out a curse, 
 and struck a back-hand blow. He missed me, and I 
 made a lunge at Julius, who had darted at my back 
 from the shadows, \vhen he saw me occupied. It 
 seemed impossible to injure the creature; he avoided 
 my steel like a snake. 
 
 " Here ! I am your victim ! Why do you not 
 seek me ? " 
 
 In horror I turned my face to the coach. Great 
 God ! there she stood by the open door. 
 
 " Come ! I am your victim ! " she repeated, while 
 the struggle lulled. 
 
 " Back, Madam ! Back ! Into the coach ! " I 
 shouted wildly, and sprang toward her over poor 
 Denton and his stricken horse. 
 
 Instead of obeying, she darted into the deep shad 
 ows of the trees. Julius dashed after her, ere I could 
 cut him off. 
 
 At that moment Cadwaller s reinforcements came 
 thundering down, passed the coach and through us, 
 slashing to right and left. 
 
 " Oh, God, she is lost ! " I groaned, and plunged 
 beneath the trees in the path of the black devil in 
 human form. I saw her noble object in this seem- 
 
 351
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 ing madness. She thought to save me by leading off 
 my enemies. 
 
 Under the first tree I met Cadwaller face to face. 
 His hat was gone, and he staggered as though 
 stunned. He had been brushed from his maddened 
 horse. I struck him aside with an arm of fire and 
 sent him reeling from my path; then on I dashed, 
 following the sound of rustling garments. 
 
 The burning, maddening fever had spread with 
 such a quickness that it now covered my whole body. 
 It scorched my feet, my hands, my head, and parched 
 my throat. My brain throbbed, my eyes ached as 
 though being twisted from my head, and my side 
 spurred me on with every breath. But still the 
 fever gave me strength. Twas unnatural, to be sure, 
 but strength it was, and I thanked God for it; for 
 without that deadly burning, no power on earth could 
 have forced me to walk a step. As it was I ran, and 
 ran lightly, too. I seemed to have no weight. I 
 flew along, taking great steps, my toes scarce touch 
 ing earth. In faith, I seemed to have not weight 
 enough, for it made my steps uncertain, and my path 
 most difficult to keep. 
 
 I heard the crash of blows behind, but heard it in 
 a dream. Toby and the other men would be over 
 come, I knew. Poor, faithful little Toiby ! No sur 
 render would there be in him. To the end he would 
 fight, and more than one ruffian should stand before 
 his God ere the brave little swordman s arm should 
 
 352
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 fail. And now, at the last moment, all our efforts 
 were in vain. We had sworn not to fail, even if we 
 should go under. We had clasped hands upon it at 
 ihe little bridge. And now no chance seemed left. 
 
 I banished Toby from my mind, and hurled myself 
 along. Once or twice, as he crossed a patch of 
 moonlit greensward, I caught sight of the accursed 
 Julius. His long slim back was bent like that of a 
 hunting wolf; he wore no hat, and his straight and 
 dead black hair was streaming as a mane far out be 
 hind. 
 
 " Halt, murdering devil, halt ! " I roared. 
 
 He ran but faster with each s hout I gave. 
 
 I tore my hair in torturousi madness, and rushed on 
 like a raging fury. 
 
 The trees stood in my way ; the bushes snapped be 
 neath my feet. The trees I dodged; the bushes I 
 went through or over; but still I gained no foot in 
 the race of life and death. The pace was an agony. 
 I could not realise that a lady could run so fast. The 
 thought came to me that mayhap Julius had given 
 up the chase and now was fleeing for his life. But 
 with the next breath this dear hope was shattered; 
 the lady crossed a patch of open ground like a hunted 
 fawn. In the centre she glanced back wildly. Even 
 at the distance I was behind, I could see her eyes open 
 wider in a sudden terror, as she caught sight of the 
 black devil behind her. She uttered a little cry and 
 ran the faster. I leaped a bush and strained my 
 
 2* 353
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 every muscle. My sword I grasped in a hand of fire 
 and dragged it behind through bushes and round 
 trees. 
 
 With every step I took I burned the fiercer. I felt 
 that soon my head would burst. My skull seemed 
 filled with fiery coals. My temples swelled with the 
 straining heat ; and my eyes were bursting from their 
 sockets. Tightly I locked my left hand in my hair 
 and pressed a temple to relieve the pain. But on, 
 still on, I flew. 
 
 The lady again came into view. She was in the 
 path she was crossing the bridge. A curse upon my 
 tardiness! Julius was gaining rapidly; and 
 yes I was losing ground ! 
 
 I shouted aloud, but my voice sounded like a 
 woman s scream of pain. No sign did Julius give 
 that he heard my call, but on he glided, snake-like, 
 and still bent low. 
 
 A moment later I was on the little bridge. I saw 
 the fleeing lady turn suddenly from the path. Ah ! 
 I saw her object. Driven to despair, and without 
 hope of reaching the house before she should be over 
 taken, she had turned toward the arbour her little 
 paradise. 
 
 I saw a chance. Mayhap she meant that I should 
 see it If I could be but fleet enough of foot, I 
 might yet be in time. She was taking a circuitous 
 course, so I might still have time to cut across from 
 the bridge and reach the arbour before Julius could 
 
 354
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 come up. I laughed wildly at the thought. My 
 voice was high, like that of a frightened child. 
 Through the bushes I .dashed, and, crouching low, 
 rushed on toward the little home of roses by the 
 stream. 
 
 The birds fled blindly from their nests I sped 
 along. The briers scratched me and the branches 
 cut I prayed and darted on. The stream bowed in 
 and crossed my path I cursed and swung aside. 
 The moon went out behind a cloud I screamed in 
 madness and groped my way ahead. 
 
 I heard a cry a little farther on. Then voices, 
 mingled and raised high, came to me. For a mo 
 ment my heart stood still. One voice was hers. I 
 should hear that in my grave. It came from the 
 arbour. I must have run more slowly than I 
 thought. Too late! He would kill her ere I could 
 interfere. And the accursed moon still sulked be 
 hind the cloud. All, all, all seemed against me ! 
 
 I hurled myself through the bushes, slashing to 
 right and left with my sword. Ah ! I was coming 
 near now. I heard her voice, gasping rebuke and 
 entreaty. But the black devil snarled a reply that 
 made my blood run cold. I uttered no shout now, 
 lest I should warn him of how close I was, and so 
 drive him to his hellish work ere I could reach him 
 and prevent. I sprang onward as lightly as possi 
 ble and, freed now from the bushes, darted through 
 the darkness toward that gasping, pleading voice. 
 
 v355
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 The cloud passed from the moon. There was the 
 arbour, but a few yards off, and above me. I had 
 run to the water s edge. I rushed forward, slanting 
 up the bank. My foot crashed into a bush; the 
 earth sprang up, and I rolled, struggling painfully, 
 until my hand struck the water. 
 
 " Ah ! there is your great soldier now. I failed 
 to finish him last night ; but he ll not be long behind 
 you, Mistress." Twas the voice of the human devil. 
 
 I turned over and drew my wet hand across my 
 face of fire. 
 
 " Oh, Julius, Julius, I never have been aught but 
 kind to you! Why, why do you seek my poor sad 
 life ? " 
 
 He laughed, but it sounded like the snarl of a 
 wolf. 
 
 " Oh, I am only a poor hideous creature that s 
 what you said to him only a dog, to be petted and 
 kicked ! I heard you say as much when I listened 
 in the secret passage ! " He snapped the words out 
 as though they choked him. 
 
 " Oh, Julius ! " I heard her gasp. 
 
 I scrambled to my feet, and started stealthily up 
 the bank. I could see them darkly cut against the 
 sky. 
 
 " If I let you live one of those three will have 
 you. If not this Everard, then either my Lord or 
 Sir Charles. But I ll outwit them all ! " Again 
 he laughed. 
 
 356
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 She shrank back from him and clung to a shrub 
 for support. I crouched very low, that I might not 
 be seen until I could make one rush and reach him 
 ere he could use his knife. 
 
 " And and twas you, last night \ " she gasped. 
 She was just beginning to realise the meaning of his 
 wild words. " Oh, Julius Julius, you would mur 
 der me ! " She put her hand to her forehead and 
 leaned forward to peer into the savage face in search 
 of a sign of relenting. But the moon shone on it. 
 It was terrible. " Is it is it madness, Julius ? " 
 Her voice was tremulous, but low and almost 
 pitying. 
 
 " Madness ! Ha ! ha ! yes, madness ! " He threw 
 back his head and laughed wildly, his black hair 
 shaking around his face, lending it a look more un 
 natural still. " Madness it is ; but in another twould 
 be christened love ! " He leaned toward her, his 
 eyes flashing and lips grinning repulsively. 
 
 " All ! " I snarled, but smothered the cry with my 
 fingers. 
 
 " Oh, Julius ! " the lady screamed, and drew back, 
 her hand before her face. 
 
 " Oh, you cry out at that, Mistress ! " he hissed. 
 " I ajm the dog, the hideous creature ; I am the porter, 
 and you loathe me ! !N^ow you know why you must 
 die! 
 
 The moonlight in the air turned red as Wood; a 
 mist of blood floated before my eyes. This was the 
 
 357
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 cause of my hatred. From the first I knew there 
 was some deep reason in my wish to crush him. I 
 wriggled up the bank, all red before me, the devil 
 gnawing at my heart. If I might kill this fiend the 
 fever then might take its fatal course. When he 
 should be dead, I could die in almost peace. 
 
 " I knew this day would come," he went on sav 
 agely ; " I knew that nothing but this could be the 
 end ! I put it off until the last moment ; but when I 
 saw that longer delay \vould mean my failure, I tried 
 to strike. But that half-dead fool lying down the 
 bank there prowled like a cat and guarded you too 
 well. I made sure to finish him, but in that also I 
 failed, it seems. No matter, he shall go to-night, 
 soon after you. They ll hang me if they catch me, 
 but what care I ? Here I live in hell ; so why should 
 I not go down below ? Ha! ha ! ha ! twill be a great 
 party ! Heron Hall shall be red with blood ! " 
 Again the fiend laughed wildly and thrust his ghastly 
 face toward her. 
 
 Mistress Heron shrank back in terror and disgust, 
 one hand held up for protection, the other behind her, 
 as though to feel her way. Two cautious steps she 
 took backward, moving slowly toward the stream, ere 
 he detected her plan. 
 
 " Ah," he snarled angrily, " none of that ! Your 
 fate is sealed ! Your time is come ! " He seized 
 her arm and drew her struggling to him. 
 
 I measured the distance with bursting eyes. A 
 
 358
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 little more and I could do it in one rush. I crouched 
 still lower and drew myself along. 
 
 " Ah," he cried, " tis not because I hate you that 
 I kill you; tis because I love you, love you! But 
 I m the porter, the dog, so you must die! But first 
 come to me here, yes, here ! " He wrapped his long 
 black arms around her. 
 
 " Oh, God ! " she gasped, straining to break free. 
 Her hand she pressed against his throat, her head she 
 turned away, wild and terrified. She screamed and 
 called for help, struck with both hands and scratched, 
 flung her head from side to side in frantic efforts to 
 avoid his beast-like, searching face. 
 
 The madness overcame my will; all caution left 
 me in a yell of hate. I shot up the bank like a 
 springing cat, and dashed to where she fought for life 
 and all. 
 
 " Die, hellish devil, die ! " I snarled, and flashed 
 my blade at his long, gaunt neck. 
 
 He bent, snake-like to one side ; the steel but grazed 
 his skin. 
 
 His victim tore herself half-free, and her one hand 
 grasped my shoulder. But still he held her with one 
 arm around her waist. 
 
 " Ha ! you ! " he snapped, and raised his knife, 
 his eyes blazing like balls of fire, and his teeth flash 
 ing in the moonlight. 
 
 I tried to tear her from him, and shortened my 
 blade again to run him through. 
 
 359
 
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " Too late ! " he grinned, and the steel shot down. 
 
 I tried to catch it on my hilt or arm too late ! I 
 saw it strike her bosom and disappear. A groan 
 escaped her lips, and her whole weight hung upon 
 my arm. I choked with a tearing at my heart, and 
 struck with a cry of madness but too late! He 
 sprang back out of reach, cast but one ibackwarl 
 glance of exultation, and fled into the blackness of 
 the trees. 
 
 360
 
 CHAPTER XXL 
 
 MY heart stood still, then fluttered like that of a 
 wounded bird ; my brain grew heavy, then burned 
 again with a fierceness indescribable. 
 
 " Murdered ! " I gasped, and stared around at the 
 bushes dazedly. " Failed at the last ! Permitted 
 her to be killed before my eyes ! No ! It must be a 
 dream, or the madness of the fever ! She cannot be 
 dead ! Why, I feel no weight upon my arm ! And 
 yet, there she hangs, limp and lifeless ! Oh, it is a 
 dream or a madness; I could not hold her so if it 
 were real ! I m wounded, burning with fever from 
 neglect and cold. I surely have not the strength to 
 move, much less, therefore, to hold this lady here 
 upon my arm without an effort. No, no ! I m lying 
 in some spot beneath the trees, or in a bed. Tis a 
 dream the imagining of a burning brain. Soon I 
 shall awake and find all well. If I shout, will it 
 waken me ? It sometimes does, they say. I ll try." 
 
 I raised my voice and shouted with all my power. 
 It sounded high-pitched, wild and unnatural. I 
 shuddered and drew back. The body moved with 
 me. I dropped to my knee and grasped her hand. 
 She seemed to be all red, as were the trees and 
 ground. 
 
 " No dream ! " I choked. " My God, no dream ! 
 
 361
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 Yes, he struck her here; I saw the knife sink into 
 her tender bosom ! Oh, God ! am I mad or is it 
 real ? I cannot see ! All, all is red ! " I permit 
 ted her to sink to the grass, cursed, tore my hair, and 
 wept in agony. I dug my burning knuckles into my 
 half-blind eyes to try to sweep away that mist of 
 blood. Then, bending low, I held my face close to 
 her bosom and peered through my fingers in search of 
 the fatal gash. My whole soul went into that strain 
 ing look. I would see, before my sight should be 
 completely gone. The moon was very dim now it 
 was struggling through thin fleecy clouds , and the 
 red before my eyes grew stronger. But I saw a rent 
 in her gown a great gash where the steel had cut 
 down. I shuddered as I saw it, for it ran towards 
 the heart. But yet I saw no blood that is, no 
 darker spot, for all was red to me. 
 
 Ah, here ! " I trembled, and fearfully inserted a 
 finger in the rent, expecting it to come out dark and 
 wet. " What s this ? " I gasped" What s this ? " 
 My finger met no blood nor flesh, but something hard 
 and crackling. The knife seemed to have cut only 
 the outer garment. I seized her hand again and felt 
 her wrist; but my fingers burned and trembled so 
 that I could not feel a pulse. 
 
 The moon went out again behind a cloud. I shook 
 my clenched fist at it and ground my teeth in rage. 
 I bent my head against her swelling breast and lis - 
 ened for a beating there ; but the throbbing in my 
 
 362
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 head and the ringing in my ears were loud enough 
 to drown all gentle sounds. 
 
 She sighed. I held my breath and listened, fear 
 ing some trick of my now untrusty brain. . . . 
 Again she sighed, then uttered a little moan. I cried 
 aloud in a wild and choking sob. " Oh, God, she 
 lives ! " I laughed and wept. Again she moaned 
 softly ; and I gently raised her head. 
 
 The devil take the moon ! " I snarled. " She ll 
 die here in the dark ! To the house ! She must have 
 care, and a woman s gentleness ! To the house ! I ll 
 face them all ! I ll cut through an army, but she shall 
 not die ! My dying curses on this darkness ! " 
 
 Still grasping my sword, I raised her tenderly and 
 stumbled on toward the path. Strange as it may 
 seem, I felt her weight but little it seemed a shadow 
 that I held. I stepped along lightly, still blind and 
 burning. I walked on air, but wandered wide, far 
 from my path. I halted now and .then and strained 
 my eyes to penetrate the gloom, that I might make 
 out some tree or bush that would guide me to my 
 destination. 
 
 " Tis sad," I muttered, but the words broke shrilly 
 on my ears. I stopped and stared around to see if 
 twas one that mocked me in the darkness. Nothing 
 could I see but the dull pink mist, with here and there 
 a darker, tapering patch, where stood a tree or some 
 fantastic bush cut to deformity by the gardener s 
 knife. " Yes, faith, tis sad the saddest sight 1 
 
 363
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 have seen yet. Persecuted by that beast, our King; 
 then hounded by his menial dog; driven to despair; 
 bought and sold as tradesman s ware; at last struck 
 down by a hellish porter s knife! And all before 
 your face, Mark Everard ! The fever seized you.op- 
 portunely, for it hides your blushes well ! Failed 
 miserably at every point, and yet have struck no 
 blow in her revenge ! II a ! no, not yet ; but, by her 
 life, I will ! They both shall die before the moon 
 goes down ! " I paused and stare 1 up at tne misty 
 light. She broke free from the clouds and smiled 
 down sadly at me. 
 
 I lost all thought of place and time. I wandered 
 through the shrubs and trees, now in the path, now 
 far astray. My thought was that in my arms I bore 
 her soul, and with it I must reach the house. The 
 moon went out and reappeared with every step I took. 
 The pink mist deepened and^grew pale again at every 
 breath I drew. My sword cut .through the bushes 
 and struck against the trees. But on, still on, I wan 
 dered, with bursting head and stabbing side, my 
 mind still drawing me toward the great dark pile 
 standing against the sky. 
 
 At last I .broke out upon the lawn and swung un 
 evenly across the grass. 
 
 In one room the lights were burning twas in 
 the room where first I had broken fast at Heron Hall. 
 My maddened mind was playing me strange tricks. 
 The incident of the mirror as I loft that room that 
 
 364
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 morning stood out before my eyes in bold relief. 
 Clearly I saw Sir Charles glance at Sir Alfred, and 
 the other shoot the meaning glance at him. 
 
 " Watch that mirror closely/ came to me in a 
 whisper. I thought it was her voice that spoke. I 
 peered into her face, lying upon my shoulder, but 
 she only sighed. 
 
 " She lives ! " I croaked again, and stumbled 
 dreamily along. 
 
 " Where am I ? Oh ! " she moaned, and raised 
 her head. 
 
 " Alive ! " I gasped. " Alive ! " 
 
 She struggled, and stared into my face. " You 
 live ! You live ! " she cried, still stunned. 
 
 " Ha ! ha ! I live ! Ay, for a little yet. My work 
 is still to do. But you, Madam, you are near to 
 death, I fear." 
 
 For a moment more she stared with a look of agony 
 into my face, her hand holding back my hair. " But 
 
 you ah, thir is awful! You She broke off 
 
 abruptly, pressed her hand to her forehead and 
 moaned aloud. 
 
 I marched on grimly, steering a zigzag course to 
 ward the house. 
 
 " Oh, you are carrying me ! Let me walk ! " she 
 commanded suddenly. 
 
 "Ha! ha! Nay, hush; you are dying! I saw 
 the devil s blade fleshed to the hilt in your bosom ! 
 Hush, hush ! " I soothed. " A little while and we 
 
 365
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 shall reach the house. "Tis a iiight of blood, Madam, 
 and few here shall see the morrow dawn. I have not 
 killed him yet, but I shall before my mad head shall 
 burst." 
 
 She shuddered and tried to wriggle to the ground. 
 
 " Calm, Madam, calm ! I feel no weight. I walk 
 in the red mist as in a di am. Rest, rest; you are 
 killed, I fear. But go not yet ! llest ! Wait for 
 me ! I have work still to do ! " 
 
 " I am not killed ! " she cried. " Oh, no, tis you, 
 tis you ! Let me walk ! Please let me walk ! You 
 you will not refuse me ! I am not killed, nor even 
 scratched ! I am but bruised ! Permi me to walk ! 
 Please permit me to walk ! See, I am well ! You 
 will grant me this ? " She was half-sobbing as she 
 coaxed me as though I were a child. 
 
 " Ha ! she thinks that I am mad," I muttered. 
 " She thinks I did not see him stab her. Ha ! " ut I 
 still know what s afoot. Ha! ha! I m still alive, 
 and will know what s afoot until the end." 
 
 Again she shuddered and tried to reach he ground. 
 But I held her fast, and wandered slowly on. Her 
 hand flew to her bosom, and I saw her eyes grow 
 wider as she felt the rent. I heard a crackling 
 sound, but took no heed and forced across the lawn. 
 
 " Look ! See ! " she said with shaking voice. 
 " See, see ! It saved my life ! " 
 
 I blinked and stared at the thing she held before 
 me. 
 
 366
 
 Mark Evcrard 
 
 " Do you see ? Can you can you see ? " she 
 stammered tenderly. 
 
 " Tis red all red with blood ! " 
 
 Her head again sank upon my shoulder, and her 
 whole form shook with weeping. " Oh, no, no, no ! " 
 she sobbed. " Tis the parchment the King s war 
 rant , which you used as a trumpet in speaking 
 through the keyhole. It fell at my feet when that 
 devil tried to shoot you. I put it I put it in my 
 bosom, because because I I wanted it as as a 
 a keepsake. Oh, cannot you see ? It saved my 
 life. His knife must have glanced when it struck 
 it. Now now will you let me walk? Tis you, 
 poor soul, that should be borne ! " She still kept 
 her face upon my shoulder, and her breast still shook 
 with emotion. 
 
 "What! Not killed? nor scratched?" My 
 heart leaped and burned like fire, and my voice 
 sounded like the yelp of a dog. 
 
 " No, no ! I am but bruised ! Please let me walk ! 
 Please please ! " 
 
 I heard a rush of feet behind me, and a shout 
 an oath roll out much farther off. I wheeled and 
 snarled through the red moonlight, ready to bite at 
 friend or foe. 
 
 A tall dark form, bent low, and with drawn sword, 
 was running swiftly at me. He wore no hat, and I 
 soon made out his face to be Cadwaller s. Far down 
 the lawn below the last terrace a score or so oi 
 
 367
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 mounted men were coming slowly up. I heard one 
 shout aloud in a sharp, commanding voice. 
 
 " Stop that madman ! The other must be blind ! 
 He ll kill him ! Stop it, I say!" 
 
 Another, and little, figure was also coming on at 
 his greatest speed. The oath I heard had come from 
 him. Again he swore and shouted out a loud com 
 mand. Twas Toby I recognised the voice. 
 
 Cad waller glanced but once behind to see how far 
 the little man was still away, and then again he 
 sprang toward me. His eyes were wild and fierce in 
 the reddish mist; his clothes were rent where the 
 branches had scratched him when his frightened 
 horse had run away; and his hair swung back and 
 forth across his face. 
 
 " At last ! " he hissed, stopping just beyond a 
 sword-reach. " Which must I fight this time ? " he 
 sneered. 
 
 " Oh, God is good ! " I croaked. " Now you shall 
 die, base dog ! " 
 
 I put Mistress Heron to her feet and, though she 
 fought to stand before me, forced her behind my back. 
 One quick glance I shot at the running Toby and the 
 fast approaching horsemen, then sprang savagely 
 upon the knave, that I might end all ere they could 
 interfere. I thought it strange that there should be 
 so many mounted men ; but I had not time to think 
 the reason out the knave before me occupied my 
 mind as well as blade. He met me in hot haste ; his 
 
 368
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 wish was as my own. In a moment he would kill me, 
 ,ras his thought, I knew. A few passes, and the 
 wounded, fever-maddened fool that joined with him 
 so bravely would stare at the moon in death. I 
 laughed shrilly as I read his thought. 
 
 " Ha ! ha ! you re red, my Lord. Watch well this 
 bloody blade. Soon it will turn you white. Ha ! 
 tis a rare good night for killing, for the air is full 
 of blood." 
 
 I*ange after lunge he flashed, without a heart 
 beat s intermission ; feint after feint he made but 
 all in vain. My arm was like a fiery thunderbolt. 
 It sprang to meet his every stroke. I read each feint 
 or trick before it was performed. I chuckled as I 
 put his blows aside, and darted out my point like a 
 tongue of flame. I knew he could not scratch me, for 
 I was but a shadow of myself. I did not fight ; it was 
 my soul. My body lay dead in some spot beneath 
 the trees, and the spirit of Mark Everard stayed still 
 upon the earth to see his work complete. This knave 
 should die, I swore, and by my hand. There still 
 were obstacles in my way, but I would overcome 
 them. I burned from head to foot and suffered these 
 great tortures in my brain and heart but that I should 
 make haste. I was half in hell, half out. Her per 
 secutors should be blotted from the earth, then I 
 should sink to rest. My feet scarce touched the 
 earth; but as a shadow I floated in the mist. I 
 heard the rush of horses feet draw near, then Toby s 
 21 369
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 shout rang out louder. I pressed my antagonist more 
 furiously, and all his thrusts turned into guards. 
 His mouth was open now, and I could hear his gasps 
 for breath even above the throbbing in my head and 
 the crash and screech of steel. 
 
 " Ha ! look, my Lord, how red you are with blood ! 
 A little and you ll be far redder yet ! " 
 
 He shrank back step by step ; but I danced around 
 him and cut great arcs of flame about his head. But 
 still he did guard him well. He gave no ground 
 until his fate was sealed but for a backward step. 
 I saw him try to work his way round, that he might 
 get Mistress Heron between us. I laughed and 
 shifted as I forced him back, and balked his cow 
 ard s plan. I saw something dark a step or two be 
 hind him. I pressed him hard and strained my eyes 
 to make out what it was. Presently I saw it clearly. 
 Twas the sun-dial near the house. He shifted a 
 little and saw it too. 
 
 " Mad devil ! " he gasped, and sprang far back be 
 hind it. 
 
 The horses thundered up and wheeled around us. 
 At the same instant I heard Toby shout. 
 
 " The man that lifts a hand against him dies ! " 
 His breath was almost spent with his long and up-hill 
 run. 
 
 " Stop this mad work ! " T heard another shout. 
 Twas the voice of him that had called before, and 
 bade his men to prevent the Earl s attack. 
 
 370
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 I looked around to see the man that spoke with 
 such authority. Mistress Heron stood by my side, 
 her hand held to the rent in her gown. Her face was 
 set, and her pose resolute. She was looking up at a 
 man that rode a great dark horse. He was the speak 
 er, I could see. He wore what seemed to me a plain 
 black masque. That he was the leader could be 
 noted at a glance, for the others clustered in a semi 
 circle in the rear. Toby stood next the lady, leaning 
 upon his sword and glaring at the band of near a 
 score disdainfully. My Lord hung upon the dial 
 and gasped for breath. 
 
 I heard the roll of wheels, and turned and peered 
 down toward the gate. . . . The coach was coming 
 up the drive with an escort of three or four. 
 
 The circumstances had undergone a rapid change. 
 I wondered if this masqued man was Sir Charles. I 
 could think of none other likely to arrive. The voice 
 I had heard before, but it sounded not like his. I 
 stared again at the tall dark form, but his masque and 
 hat disguised him thoroughly. 
 
 " My Lord of Cadwaller, you will please to come 
 with me," he said, riding up beside the sun-dial, and 
 speaking very low. " And you, Master Everard, 
 will put up your sword. This bloodshed has gone 
 too far already." His voice was calm but cold, and 
 he spoke as one well used to be obeyed. Again I 
 thought I had heard the voice before, but my ears 
 rang and my head swam so that I could not place it. 
 
 3/ 1
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " It is my habit, Sir, to draw my sword and sheath 
 it at my command alone. Nor do I permit of inter 
 ference. This this must die to-night, ^before the 
 moon goes-down. I see him dead already. There s 
 a blade sunk in his heart." I pointed to the cringing 
 Earl, but he only stared up at the horseman. 
 
 Mistress Heron s arm was trembling against mine ; 
 and when he of the masque sprang to the ground and 
 stepped toward us, she shrank back partly behind me, 
 as though she feared the stranger. 
 
 I raised my point and held him at a distance. 
 
 " Drop that ! Are you mad ? Do you not know 
 me ? " he demanded in low sharp tones that could not 
 reach his men. 
 
 " Put it down, Sir," Toby whispered in my ear. 
 " We ll soon have another chance. Please wait, 
 Sir." 
 
 I looked at Toby sharply, then at the masqued man 
 before me, and let my point sink to the ground. 
 There was some mystery here; Toby and the lady 
 seemed to know the other. 
 
 " Will you come to the house, Madam ? " he said, 
 bending low. " This has been a mad, mad evening, 
 T fear. Permit me, Madam." He held out a long, 
 slim hand toward her. 
 
 She shuddered, hesitated, and drew a little farther 
 back. 
 
 " Go," I whispered. 
 
 She slowly put out her hand and placed the points 
 
 37 2
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 of her trembling fingers upon his. He smiled and 
 turned with courtly grace toward the steps. His men 
 all were dismounted now, and bore their horses reins 
 upon their arms. 
 
 " My Lord Cadwaller will join me in the Hall at 
 once," the masqued man paused to say. 
 
 The lady walked on half-unwillingly, her eyes, still 
 wide, turned back to me. 
 
 I seemed to die and come to life with each succeed 
 ing breath. The reddish mist turned black in spots, 
 then changed to almost white. I leaned upon my 
 blade and gazed my heart out after the two slow-mov 
 ing forms. 
 
 Cadwaller left his post, and, glancing back at me, 
 strode quickly in an arc toward the door. 
 
 Again Mistress Heron looked back to where I stood 
 with staunch old Toby by my side. I saw her raise 
 her hand, I thought ; and Toby moved uneasily and 
 took my arm. 
 
 " On, Toby ; we must follow. All seems not over 
 yet." 
 
 We moved on quickly after them, Toby guiding 
 my uneven steps 
 
 " Her lover has arrived at last," I groaned. 
 " Now may the outcast make his exit gracefully. . . . 
 But still there s Julius," I muttered. " Julius is my 
 peculiar prey." 
 
 373
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 UPON the steps the masqued gentleman again 
 paused for a moment. He turned to one that fol 
 lowed him at the head of the band and beckoned him 
 to him. The other went quickly forward and entered 
 the house at his heels. The men formed up around 
 the door and closed in, as though to prevent us from 
 passing. But never am I easily turned aside, so I 
 walked straight on until I met with forceful opposi 
 tion. 
 
 " You may not enter here, Sir," said a fellow in 
 my path. 
 
 At this there was a little uproar, which ended 
 when the door again flew open and he that had en 
 tered last put out his head. 
 
 " Permit these men to pass ! " he called. " Strike 
 me dead! have you not had blows enough, Master 
 Everard ? " 
 
 " I still have some to strike, Sir Charles," I said. 
 It was the Baronet. The moon was shining on his 
 face. 
 
 " Split me ! " he gasped, as the light from within 
 shone in my face. " What ails you, Sir ? Your 
 face is almost purple ! Od s life ! and the blood ! 
 You re soaked in blood all down your side and leg ! " 
 
 374
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 He drew back from me, as though I had been a 
 ghost. 
 
 "Blood!" I laughed. "Blood! only blood? 
 And my face, you say, is almost purple? Why 
 yours, Sir Charles, is red, quite red. Hist! Sir 
 Charles; I ll tell a secret. There are some about 
 that I must kill. When they be dead, I shall no 
 longer haunt you. I and my bloody mist shall van 
 ish. But tell me, what is your friend within ? " 
 And without waiting for an answer I floated into the 
 room. 
 
 " Mad as the devil ! Keep your eye on him ; he 
 may do a great damage," I heard him mutter to Toby 
 as I passed. 
 
 I smiled at his wisdom and advanced toward the 
 table, with Sir Charles and Toby at my heels. 
 
 At one end of the table, with a hand held to her 
 bosom, another on the board, Mistress Heron stood ; 
 at one side was my Lord Cadwaller, and by his side 
 stood the King. 
 
 " Oh ! oh ! " the lady gasped, and drew back, shak 
 ing like a willow in a breeze. 
 
 " Slife! " cried the King, and stepped back too. 
 
 The Earl s eyes opened wide, and he shifted un 
 easily, but made no sound. 
 
 I bowed, and leaned upon my hilt, smiling at the 
 two in satisfaction. The King s presence came to me 
 as a shock, but as a joyous one. He had come to 
 me, not I to him. All my work might now be set- 
 
 375
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 tied in one stroke. Sir Charles, his Lordship, and 
 the King! Julius was the only missing card. An 
 other shuffle, and I could bring him out. For sev 
 eral moments I stood thus smiling at my fortune, 
 while they all stood back transfixed with horror. . . . 
 I must have been a sorry sight. 
 
 " Od s blood ! is this your work, Cadwaller ? " 
 the King cried out. 
 
 " No, your Majesty," I put in ere the other could 
 answer ; " the Earl w r as not expert enough. He 
 tried only to complete the work of another ; but even 
 in that he failed." I felt my lips still smiling, but 
 they did it without my wish. 
 
 " When did this happen ? " His voice was sharp, 
 and his brows drew together angrily. 
 
 Sometime last night, Sir; after midnight, as I 
 think." 
 
 " And you have been thus ever since ? Tis mon 
 strous ! " 
 
 " Oh, no ! I have been tended with a care far past 
 my deserving. But my Lord was something impa 
 tient, and would be moving. But there all that is 
 passed ; I have a suspicion that I died an hour 
 since." 
 
 Mistress Heron moved back unsteadily and sank 
 into a chair, her head bowed upon her bosom. 
 
 " He s mad ! " said the King, as to himself. " See 
 him put to bed and well attended," he turned to Toby 
 and directed. 
 
 376
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " First I have work to do ; then I shall bid you all 
 a long good-night." 
 
 Again he looked at me closely, but turned away 
 with a shudder. " To a private room/ he almost 
 whispered to my Lord. 
 
 The latter glanced around, then stepped to the door 
 of the morning-room, where I had seen the lights 
 burning when I broke out from beneath the trees. 
 
 I waited until the door had closed behind them, 
 then turned to Toby. " Guard Mistress Heron well. 
 Stand by her side until you hear from me," I whis 
 pered. 
 
 He looked at me closely, his face drawn with sor 
 row, but he obeyed my order however unwillingly. 
 
 I swayed for a moment, took a step toward the door 
 through which the others had passed and sank heav 
 ily to one knee. Instantly the little man was at my 
 side, helping me to my feet. I thanked him with a 
 grasp of my hand and motioned him back to the 
 lady s chair. Then with a great effort I held myself 
 erect, and walked deliberately to the door, each 
 muscle trembling with the strain to keep my knees 
 from giving way again. My weight was coming 
 back, and as it came my fever-strength forsook me. 
 
 Sir Charles came to my side as I put my hand 
 upon the door-knob. " Better not enter there, Mas 
 ter. Everard. The King is in the devil s own rage, 
 and will not like the intrusion, I assure you." He 
 put his hand upon my arm to restrain me. 
 
 377
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " In a rage, Sir Charles ! " I laughed. " Faith, 
 he s like to be in a worse." I shook his hand from 
 my arm. " And you, Sir Charles have you busi 
 ness with me still, or have you objections to quar 
 relling with a ghost ? " I whispered, smiling in his 
 face. 
 
 He looked at me pityingly. " My game, I fear, 
 is up." He shook his head mournfully. " I know 
 it is up so far as you are concerned. The King has 
 discovered too much. The Little Duke is out of 
 favour, and I am to be sent to France when Madam 
 of Orleans shall return home. My efforts to ex 
 pose the plot for the Queen s abduction were too suc 
 cessful it showed the part that the Little Duke 
 and I have played too plainly. Twas a slip I made 
 that did it, so I am forced to make a virtue of ne 
 cessity, and go where I am sent. But we have thrown 
 Cadwaller from his height. The King now knows 
 of all his villainy. But this comes too late to be of 
 use to you. Spilt me, but I am sorry, Sir! You 
 have played a great part to the end. Though we 
 have been on opposing sides, I never have been able 
 to subdue my admiration for you. Damn me for a 
 fool ! but will you shake my hand before you die, and 
 let the past be past ? I have lost through my own 
 lack of skill ; but I believe you would have beaten 
 me anyway." He held his hand, palm up so 
 frankly to me. 
 
 I leaned against the door-frame, shifted my sword 
 
 378
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 from right hand to left, and took the proffered pledge 
 of peace. 
 
 " Your news comes too late to save me, as you say ; 
 but it will permit me to leave my work complete. 
 She shall not be bought and sold, nor confiscated by 
 the Crown." I bent to him and spoke in a voice that 
 could not reach her ears. 
 
 " I think there is no great danger of the last," he 
 whispered. " The lady of whom I spoke last night 
 Mademoiselle Querouaille seems assured of the 
 Royal favour. This being the case, and considering 
 the effect that the discovery of Cadwaller s treachery 
 will have upon the King, tis not unlikely that his 
 Majesty will be content with his imported beau- 
 
 ty." 
 
 I felt my teeth clench savagely, but still I smiled. 
 " I will make sure," I nodded. " The obstacles are 
 fading quickly, but Julius remains. Nothing but 
 his death can relieve me there." 
 
 "Ah! was it Julius?" 
 
 "Ay, the dog! He would have killed her. I 
 prevented that, but he escaped. Again to-night he 
 sought her life, but hy a lucky chance she once more 
 escaped. My poor false strength is going fast but 
 he must die. I know not if I live or if I died an 
 hour since. A fire burns me up and steals my wits ; 
 but yet before I leave, that knave shall die, or he will 
 kill her. Now I must hasten and see the King. My 
 knees are treacherously giving way, and my heart 
 
 379
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 chokes me with its bubbling. If I am flesh and 
 blood, that means the end." 
 
 " Farewell, Sir," he said, watching me uneasily, 
 as though to see me fall. " Before me, I am sorry. 
 But rest in peace. If you go before you have had 
 your revenge, I ll see to the knave myself. Tis a 
 duty I owe you, for I set him to dog your steps." 
 
 " Ah, so I thought. Farewell, Sir Charles." My 
 brain was reeling and my tongue was growing very 
 thick. A longer delay would leave my time too 
 short. 
 
 I turned a look upon Mistress Heron. She was 
 lying back in her chair, very pale, her eyes closed, 
 as though she slept. Toby was at her side, pressing 
 a glass of wine to her lips, while the maid, Martha, 
 wept and stroked the lady s hand. 
 
 My senses were becoming very dull, or I had heard 
 Martha enter. Before they should forsake me for 
 ever I must see the King. I turned the knob and 
 reeled unsteadily into the morning room. 
 
 The King s back was turned toward the door, as 
 he moved slowly down the room, with hands clasped 
 behind him and head bent forward thoughtfully. 
 Cadwaller stood beside the great mirror near the 
 door, his back against the wall, his right hand grasp 
 ing his sword-belt where it passed across his breast, 
 while his left was opening and closing quickly. The 
 look that he turned on me was filled with a venomous 
 hate. His eyes blazed, and his hand stole to his hilt. 
 
 380
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 But I only smiled in satisfaction, for his whole ap 
 pearance bespoke the fallen favourite driven to de 
 spair by his ill fortune. He was no longer danger 
 ous, unless one s back were turned then beware of a 
 thrust between the shoulders ; for so does a desperate 
 coward strike. 
 
 " Yes, Cadwaller, you may keep company with 
 your friends in France," said the King, still walk 
 ing from me. " But remember," he cried angrily, 
 turning quickly as he spoke, " if I hear of any more 
 plotting, the Channel shall not save you* for Od s 
 life ! " he broke off, as he caught sight of me. " Your 
 madness carries you too far, Master Everard ! Leave 
 the room, Sir ! " 
 
 In the middle of his outburst I had shut the door ; 
 and now I stood with my back against it, my eyes 
 turning from Cadwaller to him. 
 
 " Your Majesty will pardon me, I know," I 
 smiled. 
 
 " You take much for granted, Sir ! " he snapped. 
 
 " I have business of importance, Sir." 
 
 " It must wait. And while waiting, have the re 
 spect to sheathe your sword." 
 
 " A few short moments and my wait is like to be 
 a long one, Sir. And as for my sword, I fear to 
 look toward its scabbard. My garments there are 
 stiff, and make my head to whirl the faster." 
 
 His face softened a little, and he spoke humour- 
 
 381
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 ingly. " Well, well, what is your business ? Be 
 brief, for my time is short." 
 
 " Have I done my work well, Sir ? " 
 
 He frowned. " But too well. One good service 
 you have done me ; I am relieved of the duty of pun 
 ishing the treason of Sir Alfred Heron. His death 
 is fortunate." 
 
 I glanced at Cadwaller. He was still glaring at 
 me savagely, but his eyes shifted as I looked. 
 
 " I have no wish to rob my Lord Cadwaller of liis 
 right. Sir Alfred died not by the blade ; twas from 
 a stroke, brought on by the revelation of his Lord 
 ship s plans." 
 
 The Earl sneered. " You accuse his Majesty as 
 well as me. My plans were his as much as mine." 
 
 The King s face worked passionately for a mo 
 ment, but he kept his rage within. 
 
 " Pray proceed, Master Everard," he said calmly, 
 but under great restraint. 
 
 " I have done my work, Sir ; now I must have my 
 reward." 
 
 " Must ! I am not used to that word, Sir." 
 
 " Xo ? Tis one of my most common." 
 
 " Your madness runs to insolence, it would seem." 
 
 " Xo, Sir ; to perseverance." 
 
 " When used against me they are one and insepara 
 ble. Be brief. What would you ? " 
 
 " A fortnight since I undertook to do you a serv 
 ice. I have finished it." 
 
 382
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " Yes, yes ; but what is your request ? " lie snapped 
 out impatiently, as I paused for breath. 
 
 " I undertook the service more out of curiosity 
 than for aught else. I thought your Majesty was 
 more desirous of having Mistress Heron returned to 
 you than you were to punish Sir Alfred for his at 
 tack upon the Queen." 
 
 " Od s fish ! " he broke out, and partly turned 
 away. Doubtless such words to the King came as a 
 rude shock. 
 
 " I was not sure, however, and so decided to ac 
 cept your commission, with mental reservations. I 
 came here, arrested the persons named in your war 
 rant, and reported to your Majesty, as you know." 
 
 " You persist in disregarding my command. What 
 is your request ? I ask you for the last time." 
 
 I went on, without heeding his impatience. " From 
 the moment that I sent you that report, Sir, I have 
 been working to defeat your plans. I fought against 
 Lord Cadwaller tooth and nail. In that I have won. 
 He came armed with the King s authority there 
 fore I fought the King. For T saw that Sir Alfred 
 was but the dupe of this knave" (I pointed to the 
 Earl), " and that the charge of attempting abduc 
 tion against him was "being used but that the King s 
 wish respecting his daughter might the more easily 
 succeed." 
 
 My Lord moved excitedly. Doubtless he could 
 not comprehend such madness. The King swore 
 
 383
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 and walked a few steps from me, but again turned 
 when I continued: 
 
 " I have dared to oppose you, Sir, because you 
 were unjust." 
 
 He laughed aloud. " Slife, Sir, your impu 
 dence lacks not in humour ! A soldier of fortune 
 lectures his King on justice and morality! Pray 
 proceed." 
 
 " I merely state facts, your Majesty. I would to 
 God they were not ! Tis not for me to moralise, 
 but yet I hate oppression. The lady in the next 
 room has been cruelly oppressed and persecuted be 
 yond endurance. I have made it my work to see 
 this cease, and if king or devil stood to oppose, still 
 would I stand for justice ! " 
 
 " Treason has flourished well, and still shows no 
 signs of failing strength. I was wise to bring a 
 guard to this nest of traitors! But come, your re 
 quest, pray. Put it in plain terms. Od s life! I 
 am curious." 
 
 " Tis not much, your Majesty. I pray for jus 
 tice only not a great favour for a King to grant." 
 
 " If you had justice you should have a halter, as 
 should some others here about." (Tie glanced mean 
 ingly at the Earl). " But I am unjust, you say, so 
 you may not be rewarded as you richly deserve." 
 
 " Mistress Heron, by the death of her father, is 
 now the ward of the King. I pray the King to re 
 lease her to give her her freedom. And as you 
 
 384
 
 still believe that Sir Alfred was a party to the plot 
 to abduct her Majesty the Queen, I also pray that 
 you will take no steps that will cause her a loss of her 
 inheritance. Tis not too great a favour for a great 
 King to grant." 
 
 " Nor too great a favour for so loyal a subject to 
 demand." 
 
 " I always have heard that King Charles is gen 
 erous almost to a fault." 
 
 " Generous to a fault, but unjust," he again 
 sneered, slipping a ring on and off, and watching me 
 from beneath sullen brow. " The virtue and the 
 fault seem not well to blend, my master of insult and 
 flattery." 
 
 " They alternate, Sir." 
 
 " And why comes this so small request from you, 
 and not from Mistress Heron ? " He was burning 
 with rage, and provokingly amused, which made my 
 hopes sink lower. 
 
 " Mistress Heron has despaired of ever being freed 
 from molestation, and she knows not even that what 
 her father may have done when living may be brought 
 against his estate now that he is dead." 
 
 " Oh ! And you have not enlightened her with 
 your vast knowledge ? " 
 
 " I have come to the King for justice." 
 
 " From your own report, you have come to a place 
 devoid of what you seek." 
 
 " I appeal, then, to your generosity." 
 
 25 385
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 He took a turn about the room, with hands locked 
 behind him, and head upon his breast. 
 
 My brain gave a great mad whirl ; the lights went 
 out ; the room was black as night. I braced myself 
 with my sword, pressing my body back against the 
 door, and presently, by force of will, I drove the 
 faintness partly from me. Another spell like that 
 and I should go under, I knew. As my -sight slowly 
 came back I turned, at the voice of a prompting 
 within me, to Cadwaller. It is well I did so. He 
 had taken a .step from the wall, his sword partly 
 drawn from its scabbard, and his face grinning in 
 anticipated triumph. But when he saw me steady 
 myself at last, he slid his blade back slowly and re 
 sumed his former attitude. 
 
 The King stopped suddenly before me and raised 
 his head. " Why does Mistress ITeron desire to be no 
 longer the war.d of the King ? " he asked sharply. 
 " You have been advising her, I suppose." 
 
 " I have taken the liberty to make this request 
 without consulting with Mistress Heron, Sir." 
 
 " Tis one of your weaknesses to take liberties, it 
 would seem." 
 
 " Tis like, Sir. I, like others, have my failings." 
 
 " Really ! And you would make the failings of 
 others an excuse for yours ? " 
 
 " Xo, Sir. I have asked but that the lady may 
 have freedom and justice. For such a request no 
 excuse should be necessary." 
 
 386
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " Indeed ! You will pardon me for daring to ex 
 press a contrary opinion," he sneered. " However 
 strange it may seem to you, with your wisdom and 
 fine sense of propriety, I must say that I consider 
 such a request as you are pleased to call it not 
 only quite unnecessary, but also outrageously insult 
 ing. I decline to be coerced by a mad ruffian. Xo, 
 Sir ! Leave the room ! " He finished his sarcastic 
 speech with head thrown back and arm stretched out 
 angrily, as though to thrust me from him. The fact 
 that his head was thus thrown back showed me clear 
 ly that he felt far from confident ; for when a man s 
 hair falls back of his shoulders, he will run rather 
 than fight. 
 
 " Still a Stuart ! You use a man until he is of no 
 further service, then he is a mad ruffian when he asks 
 for his reward. I had hoped for better from Charles 
 Second, for he is said to be kind of heart. I was 
 deceived, it would seem." 
 
 " Silence ! Withdraw instantly or I shall have 
 you put under arrest ! Od s blood, what insolence ! " 
 
 " Xo, Sir ! " I snapped back savagely. " I refuse 
 to go ! Until now I have been speaking to the King, 
 praying for what it should not be necessary to have; 
 but now I speak as man to man as Mark Everard 
 to Charles Stuart! Silence! Call out and you arc 
 p dead man ! " 
 
 Cad waller sprang from the wall, half-drawing his 
 eword, 
 
 387
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " If the Earl of Cadwaller will come but one step 
 nearer I shall take that for the signal to pass my 
 sword through the body of Charles Stuart," I said 
 quietly, for I did not wish my voice to reach the hall 
 without. 
 
 The King drew back until his hips were pressing 
 against the table, but still I kept my point but a few 
 inches from his breast. The Earl stood still, and 
 looked puzzled, glancing quickly from me to the 
 King. Then his face changed suddenly, and ho 
 glanced toward the door. 
 
 " Nor may you go to the door, my Lord," I whis 
 pered, as I read his thought. " Toby stands there 
 with orders to kill the first man that opens it. If I 
 call out he will come, and you both shall be killed. 
 I shall tell Sir Charles Rawley and his men that you 
 were quarrelling and that we rushed in too late to 
 save this gentleman from your sword, so we killed 
 you to revenge his death. Sir Charles is not now 
 within the house." (A lie is a pretty good thing 
 under certain circumstances). 
 
 The King bit his lips for a moment. " Do you 
 know what this outrage means ? " he asked very 
 quietly. 
 
 " My death, you would say, I suppose." 
 
 " Quite so. The rope." 
 
 " Xo, no," I smiled. 
 
 "No?" 
 
 388
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " Do I look as though I should live for the tedious 
 process of the law ? " 
 
 " You may." 
 
 " No, Sir ; I am dying or dead already. If I 
 were to sit down I never should rise, I know." 
 
 " Pray be seated," he half-smiled. 
 
 " I have some matters to attend to. When I have 
 done I shall comply with your request." 
 
 " You are a brave man, but a foolish." 
 
 " Unless I mistake, you would do the same, Sir, 
 were you in my position." 
 
 " You flatter me." 
 
 " I hope not." 
 
 " What is our next move ? I grow interested." 
 
 " There is a writing cabinet in that corner. I de 
 sire but a few lines, which will serve my purpose." 
 
 " You are moderate." 
 
 " Of necessity I must be brief." 
 
 " Pray take your point from my -breast; you sway 
 so I fear you will fall against me." 
 
 " You will please to make haste, Sir ; I may 
 further lose my reason, and so commit an indiscre 
 tion." 
 
 " Will you not take my word ? " 
 
 " The King s or Charles Stuart s? " 
 
 "Which do you prefer?" He was still smiling 
 as though I amused him. Zooks! I could but admir-3 
 such a man, were he King or beggar. 
 
 " Charles Stuart s." 
 
 389
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " There is method in his madness/ " he mut 
 tered. " Well, so be it," he said aloud. 
 
 " You give me your word that you will make no 
 effort to escape or attract the men without ? " 
 
 " Yes, yes, I do. Od s fish ! I thought you de 
 sired haste." 
 
 I lowered my point ; he moved quickly to the cabi 
 net, and began to write. 
 
 I turned again to Cadwaller. He was leaning 
 against the wall again, his face showing naught but 
 intense surprise. I stepped within a pace of him 
 and looked him fairly in the eyes. The King s back 
 was turned to us, but I could watch him in the mir 
 ror, which stood directly before me. As I saw his 
 reflection I remembered the strange words that had 
 been whispered in my ears a little time before, when 
 I carried Mistress Heron from the arbour. " Watch 
 that mirror closely," the unknown voice had said. 
 Whence it came I could not tell. But it was a warn 
 ing, I felt. I should watch. . . . Again I looked 
 into Cadwaller s eyes. He was staring past me and 
 down in the direction of the table. His eyes were 
 bright almost joyful. I thought it might be a trick 
 to induce me to turn my back, so I gave no sign that 
 I saw his look. 
 
 " Your treachery, which should be the cau?e of 
 your destruction, has proved to be your salvation, my 
 Lord. Had it not been that the King has found you 
 out and banished you secretly, I should have killed 
 
 390
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 you, as I must another knave, even blacker than you 
 if you can imagine such a one." 
 
 " You talk of villainy ! " he sneered. " The man 
 that held his sword against the King ! " 
 
 " Ay, I held my sword against the King, as I 
 would against myself, if I were in the wrong." 
 
 " More moralising!" He again glanced stealthily 
 past me. 
 
 " You richly deserve your fate ; and I only regret 
 that it is not death, as is mine." 
 
 " And I only regret that I am not to have the 
 pleasure of sending you to yours. But, you see, you 
 take refuge behind petticoats, which are a great pro 
 tection, you will admit." He seemed to be speaking 
 slowly for a purpose, and he kept his eyes lowered, 
 as though continuing his stealthy glances past me. 
 
 I said nothing for a moment, but took a sly glance 
 into the mirror to see if I could discover the thing 
 that so drew his Lordship s eyes. 
 
 The King still was seated at the desk, and the 
 scratching of his pen came to my ears distinctly. 
 Another sound I thought I heard, a very faint rus 
 tle, but I was not sure. I turned iny eyes to Cad- 
 waller again and as they swept across the lower 
 part of the glass I felt my thumping heart stand still, 
 then rush again into its mad boating with a re 
 doubled fury. My teeth clenched firmly, my head 
 swam more giddily, I swayed to and fro more un 
 steadily, and the red mist again, floated before my-
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 eyes. There, crouched by the end of the table, from 
 under which he had just crawled, but three paces 
 behind me, the knife that had bitten me once already 
 clutched in his bony fist, was that devil in human 
 form Julius. His eyes were blazing like those of 
 an angry cat, his hair was tossed wildly about his 
 deathly face, and his lips were drawn back in the 
 grin of a nightmare. 
 
 " Ah," I thought, " my Lord thinks he has found 
 a useful ally. Well may he glance slyly past me. 
 Murdering dog, my revenge is coming quickly." I 
 ground my teeth, but. propped myself firmly with 
 my sword and waited with expectancy. 
 
 " The Earl of Cadwaller would for the third time 
 make himself a murderer," I whispered very low. 
 
 He looked up quickly, startled and trembling from 
 a guilty conscience. 
 
 " Wh what do you mean ? " he stammered. 
 
 I smiled in his frightened face. " You would 
 have me to believe that there is something behind 
 me, which I should see, and if I should look, you 
 would pass your coward s blade between my shoul 
 ders." 
 
 My words deceived him, as I meant they should. 
 His look of fear passed off, and he lowered his head, 
 and, I made no doubt, peered at the crouching fiend, 
 who was stealing nearer. I kept an eye on him in 
 the glass. His stare of hate was fixed upon my 
 back he evidently thought not of the mirror. He 
 
 392
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 was rising slowly and silently as lie crept forward, 
 his hideous grin becoming broader and fiercer as he 
 came. For an instant he turned his look upon the 
 floor, as though to measure the distance still separat 
 ing him from his prey, then on he stole with the si 
 lence of a shadow, his eyes again fixed upon the mid 
 dle of my back. I took a quick look at Cadwaller. I 
 thought I saw him nod. Back to the glass I glanced. 
 The devil was now but one pace distant. The King 
 scratched heavily and quickly upon the paper and 
 I knew it must be his signature. I heard his chair 
 slide back as he rose. Still I kept my half-blind eyes 
 glued to the kindly glass. The black devil was 
 scarce a foot away. At the sound of the King s ris 
 ing he sprang to his full height, flashed back his 
 knife above his shoulder, and hurled himself with 
 his whole weight forward. 
 
 " There, Hell take you ! " he snarled as his knifo 
 flew at my back. 
 
 " Beware ! " the King shouted, and rushed toward 
 us. 
 
 But I did not need the warning. As the murderer 
 was almost upon me I sprang quickly to one side, well 
 clear of his savage knife. I heard a heavy blow, a 
 groan, and a snarl of rage ere I could raise my point. 
 I stood well back, staring down at the struggling 
 mass that had sunk heavily to the floor. For but .1 
 moment it struggled, then the knife sprang up again 
 but there it paused. Julius had realised his mis- 
 
 393
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 take. Until then he had been so blinded by his hate 
 and the seeming certainty of his revenge that he had 
 not discovered that the man into whose heart he had 
 plunged his knife was not Mark Everard but the 
 Earl of Cadwaller. 
 
 With the snarl of a maddened dog he sprang from 
 the body of his victim and faced me with features 
 twitching and working horribly. He took one step 
 toward me, his body crouched as though set for a 
 spring ; but my point was ready, and he cringed back 
 a little, as I leaned, swaying, forward, smiling my 
 satisfaction. 
 
 Not for an instant did I take my eyes from him, 
 for it was a desperate dog, which now would take any 
 mad chance. Watching the assassin so closely, I 
 could not see the King, but I heard excited breathing 
 coming from a few paces off, about equidistant from 
 Julius and me. The red mist still was before my 
 eyes ; naught in the room could I see but the pros 
 trate form of Cadwaller, which was twitching in its 
 last struggle against dissolution, and the snarling 
 devil with the knife and blazing eyes. 
 
 " At last, Julius, at last ! " I grinned. " The wheel 
 of justice turns very slowly, but in its own good time 
 it makes a circle. Come, Julius, you must die." I 
 drew my blade back slowly as I spoke, and took a 
 step toward him. 
 
 He cringed from me and shot a sharp glance at 
 the King. His eyes took on a cunning look, s<juint- 
 
 394
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 ing a little and dancing like those of a fox surrounded 
 by the hounds. Some plan was in his head a des 
 perate plan. I thought I read it. Another step 
 would prove me right or wrong. I took it a short 
 one. Yes, I was right. Again he cringed from me, 
 and gained almost a pace. He was working his way 
 toward the King. 
 
 " Ah ! " I thought, " so that is your plan." I 
 glanced toward his Majesty. He was standing be 
 side the table and watching the tragedy with a horri 
 fied fascination. Julius was much nearer to him 
 than was I. A ruse must be devised, or the crazed 
 dog might do a thing that would fill the world with 
 horror. 
 
 I heard a commotion at the other side of the door. 
 Zooks ! Mistress Heron s voice was there she was 
 demanding admission ; and I think it was Sir Charles 
 that remonstrated. Zounds! I made it out now. 
 She was weeping and coaxing to be permitted to pass. 
 I must act before she should enter, or there might be 
 another tragedy! A growl from Toby came to me 
 once or twice. He seemed trying to persuade the 
 lady to remain. 
 
 " 1ST ay, I pray, Madam," he said. " You may ruin 
 all if you enter. He is able to take care of himself, 
 I assure you." 
 
 " Xo, no ; I heard him fall ! Why, why are you 
 all against him ? I must, I will, pass ! " Her voice 
 was strained and desperate. 
 
 395
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 While this was progressing I was acting. It all 
 was done in the counting of a score. I let my eyes 
 half-close, my point slowly sink to the floor, swayed 
 more unsteadily than before, and staggered back a 
 step, reaching my hand out blindly, as though seek 
 ing a support. But all the while I watched the mur 
 derer s feet from under drooping lids. 
 
 The trick worked ; he took a step toward me. I 
 swayed more, staggered and lurched helplessly to one 
 side. The King wakened from his trance and took 
 a hasty step toward me. But Julius was before him. 
 Catlike, silently, he took another cautious step, then 
 drew himself together and made his murderous 
 spring. 
 
 The King shouted, drew his sword and rushed in. 
 
 " Ha, hell-bound, it is finished ! " My blade was 
 through the murderous dog, until the hilt struck 
 heavily against his breast. His knife dropped harm 
 lessly by my side; his hands and mouth opened and 
 closed strainingly ; his eyes rolled fearfully from side 
 to side ; his knees weakened ; he swayed for a mo 
 ment to and fro, clutched madly at my arm, and sank 
 slowly to his knees but still I did not draw out my 
 steel. 
 
 The door flew open ; Mistress Heron, wild-eyed 
 and with hair dishevelled, rushed in, Toby, with 
 drawn sword, at her side, while Sir Charles stood 
 upon the threshold. 
 
 But one look the lady gave to the scene of horror, 
 
 396
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 then, with a gasp, staggered back upon Toby s 
 arm. 
 
 Julius sank to his side, still clutching at my hilt. 
 I drew the blade quickly from him. He raised a 
 hand, still clawing, toward me, coughed horribly once 
 or twice, drew up his knees, stretched them partly 
 out, wriggled, trembled, and lay still. 
 
 " Take the lady to the next room. She should not 
 have seen this sight." Twas the King that spoke. 
 He stepped quickly to her side, as though to her as 
 sistance. 
 
 Ere he reached her I stood between them, swaying 
 upon my sword, and facing the King respectfully, 
 but determinedly. 
 
 " What now? " he asked in surprise, drawing back 
 a little. 
 
 I put out my hand unsteadily toward him. 
 
 " Oh ! He smiled and handed the document to 
 me. Charles Stuart could keep his word, it seemed, 
 though the King of England could not. 
 
 I turned to Mistress Heron. Her hand was 
 clenched upon her bosom, her face pale and colour 
 less, and she shook from head to foot, as from an 
 ague. 
 
 " Your freedom, Madam," I said thickly. " My 
 work is done. I swore by God that I would save 
 you. I have redeemed my pledge. The King is a 
 generous gentleman, as the whole world knows. 
 They have maligned him that say he would oppress 
 
 397
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 the weak. You are no longer the ward of the Crown, 
 but his Majesty will see to it that you never again 
 shall be molested. I have caused you much alarm 
 and pain, Madam, in the management of this af 
 fair; but I can only pray to be excused because 
 of my untimely weakness. I have lived in a hard 
 world, but there are two weeks of my life I would 
 live again. But I have fought the darkness past 
 my strength. It closes in. Before I go, I would 
 cry God save the King from such another night 
 as this ! " 
 
 All was black before me now. I felt that I was 
 dying, that my soul was floating off through dark 
 ness away from her. 
 
 I heard an oath ; it sounded low and sympathetic. 
 Yes, and then came Toby s gruff clearing of his 
 throat. And hark ! Zounds ! that was my lady s 
 Weeping. I d swear she was calling me back. 
 
 " Tis a strange dark place," I whispered through 
 the black distance ; " but I ll try to behold you 
 when you sit in the arbour of an evening." 
 
 " Od s blood ! that s one man in a million." 
 Twas the King s voice. 
 
 Those were the last words that reached me through 
 the gloom. 
 
 398
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 Two months of struggling against death, and at 
 last the hold he had upon me slackened and fell off. 
 Robust as had been my body, it had but withstood 
 the raging of the fever that was all. For another 
 fortnight I was as helpless as a child. Then slowly 
 but steadily I began to gain my strength, until at 
 last, three months after the day on which the devil 
 had taken his own, I found myself, after much plead 
 ing, seated in the arbour beside the little stream. 
 
 And for this calling back from the grave, into 
 which I had felt myself sinking, I was indebted to a 
 lady fairer than any that has gone before or will 
 come after, and kinder than even a man s selfish 
 heart could hope. Despite the efforts of the learned 
 physician, despite the attention of Mistress Clin 
 ton Mistress Heron s aunt from Canterbury , and 
 Toby s never-tiring watches, I never should have 
 come through, I know, but for my lady s gentle kind 
 ness. For all this I could not thank her. Many 
 times I tried, but my heart was full to overflowing, 
 and when I would try to stammer out some broken 
 words of gratitude, she always would stop me with a 
 threat to vanish, not to come again. 
 
 But at last came the day, as I have said, when my 
 
 399
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 watchful nurse permitted me to sit beneath the trees 
 beside the stream, among the flowers and the shrubs, 
 where on that first morning she had given me her 
 confidence and I had made my vow, and where, since, 
 so much of moment had occurred. Now I was re 
 solved that she should hear my gratitude. Whether 
 she would or not, she should see that I was grateful ; 
 that despite the roughness of my nature, I was not 
 what my outside might proclaim a man of stone, 
 without a heart. But careful I should be not to go 
 too far, for I had not forgotten who I was nor what 
 her station. I was still Mark Everard, an adven 
 turer, who had had the honour of rendering a service 
 to the noblest heart that beats ; and she was still the 
 fairest creature in the world, the kindest, and most 
 pure ; and she was grateful for the service I had ren 
 dered, and thought it greater than it was. I should 
 crush my vanity, and not read wrong her acts and 
 manner; they sprang from her gratitude and kind 
 ness that was all. 
 
 Seated upon the same rustic bench as on that first 
 morning, with the same surroundings the leaves a 
 little larger , the sun peeping through here and 
 there in the same spots, the bees humming over the 
 same heaps of flowers, and the same white-robed 
 maiden facing me, it was but with an effort that I 
 could shake off the thought that the time was the 
 same, that the morning was still the third of 
 May. 
 
 400
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 For a long time I sat dreaming and taking in the 
 perfect picture, my thoughts turning back to what 
 they had been more than three months before. 
 
 " More than three months since," I mused. 
 " Zooks ! it seems but a day. And yet and yet my 
 life before that day is as a faint old memory, a story 
 from the long, long past. Ah, dreams, dreams ! " I 
 sighed. " I must shake them off, and force myself 
 back into that mouldy and rough old past." 
 
 I looked up quickly, as one that had come to a sud 
 den resolve. 
 
 She dropped her eyes, and had a blossom in frag 
 ments instantly, and still she plucked at it vigor 
 ously. And she blushed yes, I should swear to it ! 
 
 I pulled at my mustaches thoughtfully and 
 watched her. 
 
 " I wonder if I spoke aloud," I worried. " Zooks ! 
 I believe I did. Hum ! back at my old tricks, eh. I 
 must stop that." 
 
 Her manner seemed unnatural to-day. She was 
 more reserved not haughty nor cold, but almost 
 timid and ill at ease. All the courage and independ 
 ence that had been hers on that first morning, and 
 afterward through the two terrible days, were gone, 
 and left her almost fearful. 
 
 " What startled you ? " she asked presently, with 
 out looking up. 
 
 " When ? " 
 
 " When ? Why, but now." 
 
 26 401
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 Did I start?" My heart failed me for a mo 
 ment. 
 
 She smiled. 
 
 " Oh, yes ! " I plunged in determinedly. " I just 
 decided that, now that I am recovered, I must be 
 stirring. Three months ! "Pis a long time for me 
 to be idle." I had not the courage to look at her. 
 I tried to speak lightly, but my eyes turned off across 
 the little stream. 
 
 She said no word, but I heard her move. 
 
 " And now that I must leave," I went on boldly, 
 " that that causes me most thought is, how can I tell 
 you my gratitude for the great and many kindnesses 
 you have shown me ? My tongue, Madam, is not 
 trained so well as my sword, and I fear I may give 
 offence by my clumsiness. I am but a rough, quar 
 relsome soldier, without skill in putting my feelings 
 into words ; and so I pray you 
 
 " Stop ! stop ! " she cried. " Speak not to me of 
 gratitude ! What little it has been my privilege to 
 do during your illness I am thankful for. You have 
 saved me from death and worse much, much worse 
 and then you speak of gratitude ! You have offered 
 your life for me I know not how often and yet you 
 speak of gratitude! Oh, please, please say no more! 
 By a miracle you have been saved from death, and 
 have suffered so, so much and then you speak of 
 gratitude! What you have borne for me I cannot 
 fully realise, but though tis such a debt as I never 
 
 402
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 can hope to thank you for, yet I regret not the in 
 debtedness. To such a friend tis an honour to be 
 a de-debtor." She was greatly agitated, and the 
 tears stood in her eyes when she ceased to speak. 
 
 I pulled at my upper lip perplexedly. I felt any 
 thing but comfortable. Zooks! what if I had been 
 almost killed in fighting against her enemies ? What 
 man would not have done the same? What is a 
 soldier s business if not to die ? Zounds ! I felt like 
 a fool. That she should think she owed aught to me 
 w r as too absurd. I would go through ten times as 
 much, to hear from those red lips one little word of 
 sympathy. 
 
 " But come," she smiled presently, " we must not 
 speak of those fearful days and nights. They are 
 past, but not sufficiently remote to contemplate with 
 out a gloom descending. Come, come, we must be 
 gay or you never shall recover. And that you may 
 be at ease and feel secure, without thoughts of flight 
 disturbing, I now shall show you this." From be 
 hind her back she drew a neatly folded paper, and 
 with a look of vast importance, and eyes sparkling 
 merrily, she handed it to me. 
 
 " It looks like a warrant," I laughed. " You 
 should place your hand upon my shoulder, and say : 
 Ahem! Tn the King s name I 
 
 " Pardon your monstrous sins ! " she broke in, 
 springing to her feet. 
 
 " What ! All ? Oh, no ! this paper is too little. 
 
 403
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 Twould take a volume to name them. This must 
 be a petty offence." 
 
 " Read, read, read ! " she commanded, pointing 
 imperatively to the still folded paper. " How 
 wicked you would make yourself! But, consider 
 ing the reputation you give to Master Everard, I 
 find that I cannot take his word for it. I therefore 
 prefer what I learn from another source. And 
 Toby s story is so different ! " She was laughing 
 now. Again she was her own self. Zooks ! I should 
 be careful. I felt my danger when I looked into 
 those laughing eyes, so beautiful, so tempting in 
 their tenderness. 
 
 " I ll choke Toby," I muttered. 
 
 " Choke Toby ! I believe you would rather 
 choke say even Martha." 
 
 I shifted uneasily. I remembered well the time 
 when I should have liked to choke Martha. 
 
 " You must speak more respectfully of Toby, Sir ; 
 we have become fast friends. The poor, gruff, little 
 man grew ten years older when he watched you strug 
 gling between life and death." 
 
 " But yet, he has maligned me," I frowned, with 
 as good a show of seriousness as I could muster. 
 
 "Maligned you!" 
 
 " Ay, Madam ; he would make you to believe me a 
 saint." 
 
 "Oh!" she laughed. "But have no fear, Sir; 
 
 404
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 even Toby could not make me to think so falsely of 
 you." 
 
 " Ah ! I feel reassured/ I smiled. 
 
 " Such a relief ! is it not ? But come, Sir, read, 
 read ! " She stamped her foot. 
 
 I opened the important-looking manuscript as di 
 rected. 
 
 " But it is addressed to you, Madam." 
 
 " Yes, yes ; but read." 
 
 It was a letter. I glanced at the signature. My 
 eyes grew wide in surprise. It was from the King. 
 It was dated at Whitehall, in the end of May, and 
 after the formal greeting, ran thus : 
 
 " Should it chance that he that lies near to death 
 at Heron Hall be restored to health, it is my wish 
 that you make known to him that the King can be 
 generous sans necessity. Brave and honest men are 
 so rare that it would be a monstrous folly to reduce 
 their number by as much as one. I trust, therefore, 
 that you, Madam, will rid me of a bold enemy and 
 find me a staunch friend, which, I doubt not, you can 
 accomplish without great labour." 
 
 I sat silent for some moments after reading these 
 lines. 
 
 " No man is wholly bad, it would seem," I said 
 presently. " Charles Stuart might have been a man 
 of few faults, had he not had a King for a father." 
 
 " But why are you not glad with such news ? I 
 thought to give you so great and happy a surprise ! " 
 
 405
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 Her voice and manner were reproachful, and her lips 
 quivered, I thought. 
 
 " And you have surprised me, Madam. Surprise 
 has tied my tongue and prevented me from thanking 
 you. I- 
 
 " Thanking me ! " she broke in. " Will you never 
 cease thanking me ? You thank me for everything 
 even for what you have done for me. Xot another 
 word of thanks will I hear, Sir ! " 
 
 I fought with my heart, but a few words escaped 
 me. " Ah, but you are so kind, so kind ! " I almost 
 groaned. 
 
 She laughed uneasily. " And have I always been 
 so kind ? " she leaned forward and asked very gently. 
 
 My eyes fell before hers, and I grasped the arm 
 of the seat to restrain myself. 
 
 " Always," I said with trembling voice. 
 
 Again she laughed uneasily. " Do you remember 
 the first morning you were here ? Do you remem 
 ber when you found me at the little bridge ? " 
 
 Remember ! God ! would I ever forget it ? " Ay, 
 Madam," I answered as calmly as I could, poking 
 holes in the grass with my scabbard s point the while. 
 
 " Ah ! was I PO kind then ? " she mocked. 
 
 I tried to break the dangerous course into which 
 the conversation had drifted, by laughing. 
 
 " Do you remember how kind and gentle I was ? " 
 she persisted. 
 
 " Ah ! you did let me see your temper that morn- 
 
 406
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 ing. Zooks ! at first you would give no quarter. My 
 surprise when I discovered you standing upon the 
 great stone left me open to your sharp attack. Oh, I 
 was fortunate to come off so well! Once I had a 
 mind to run." 
 
 " Oh, oh ! was I so terrible ? " 
 
 " Terrible, I assure you ! " 
 
 " And yet, so kind ! " she laughed. 
 
 " Well, no, not at first," I admitted unwillingly. 
 " But afterward you more than made up for your 
 justifiable ill-humour by your confidence." 
 
 " Oh, how I hated you at first ! " she volunteered. 
 
 " My looks are against me, I will admit." Of 
 late this had become a tender point with me. 
 
 She was silent. I did not dare to look at her; but 
 I suspect she laughed. And then, like a fool, I grew 
 bitter. I thought of the barriers that kept me from 
 her, how forbidding they were, and how the last three 
 months had made made it impossible for me ever to 
 be content with my old life again. 
 
 " But my appearance is in harmony with my life 
 and work," I continued almost roughly. " My life 
 has been harsh-featured, stern, and cold; so why 
 should I not conform with it ? " 
 
 " And why all this abuse and gloominess, pray ? 
 Did another dare hint at such slander oh ! 
 1 Zooks ! you would cry, and that dear old sword 
 would leap from its scabbard of its own accord ! 
 Come, come, I shall listen to such words no more. 
 
 407
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 If you become gloomy in the arbour, back to your 
 bed you shall go, Sir. Remember, you are out con 
 ditionally." 
 
 " Forgive my ill temper," I asked sincerely ; " I 
 am but a growling ingrate, who 
 
 " Silence, Sir ! I have scarcely finished scolding 
 you for your offence, when you attempt to excuse it 
 by repeating it with greater vehemence." 
 
 I put my hand over my mouth and laughed with 
 my eyes. 
 
 " Yes, that is ever so much better than abusive 
 words. You may not remove your hand until you 
 have some thing pleasant to say." She shook her 
 head solemnly and held up a finger to give her words 
 greater weight. 
 
 For several moments Iwas silent, faithfully obeying 
 orders. Presently, however, I caught sight of some 
 thing that sent a thrill through my veins a thrill 
 that stirred my heart more than a greater thing might 
 have stirred it. Instantly it was the third of May 
 once more. I smiled as though I had found a long- 
 lost friend. I raised my hat to greet him, but I had 
 not the heart to strike. It was the same old butterfly 
 that I had chased more than three months before. 
 How do I know ? Why, of course I know ! I never 
 forget a face. And what is more, he recognised me! 
 Yes, I swear it ! For until he saw me raise my hat, 
 he bobbed along carelessly, up and down, from side 
 to side, but steadily coming on, greedily eyeing the 
 
 408
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 flowers in Mistress Heron s hand ; but the moment my 
 hand left my mouth and moved toward my head, he 
 dodged back quickly, sailed higher, until he floated 
 a little above and behind a rose-bush. Now what 
 other butterfly would have had the wisdom to take 
 such a refuge ? Oh, I am convinced that he remem 
 bered the trick he had played on me before. 
 
 " Well, well, well ! My old friend is still alive ! " 
 I cried. 
 
 " Yes, that tone is quite satisfactory. You may 
 remain out-of-doors. But where is your friend, 
 pray ? " 
 
 " There. He is in hiding behind that rose-bush. 
 He fears another campaign against him, I doubt 
 not," 
 
 " Who is it ? " She turned to look, then glanced 
 perplexedly at me, half-smiling and doubting my 
 truthfulness. 
 
 Again he dodged into view, taking a sly peep past 
 one side of the bush. 
 
 " Oh ! " the lady laughed, " and is this your 
 friend ? How do you recognise him ? " 
 
 " There, I m sure you have wounded his feelings ! 
 See, he is again in hiding. How could I fail to 
 recognise him ? His like is not in the park. Now," 
 I added, " if he s as vain as he looks, that should 
 fetch him out." 
 
 " Admirable ! " she approved, as the butterfly 
 
 409
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 danced into view and came sailing toward us. 
 " He s a perfect Malvolio ! " 
 
 I may be a fool, but as I sat watching that purple 
 butterfly a lump rose in my throat. I thought of 
 that morning, months before, of the exciting days 
 that followed, and of my weeks of sickness ; and in 
 all these pictures that came before my memory s eye 
 the dear lady before me stood out in lines of courage, 
 beauty and tenderness. How dear she had be 
 come to me in those months ! Yes, from the first 
 day I now knew r I had worshipped her. Yet all 
 would be of the past. In a few days I should be 
 able to travel, ^o excuse had I to remain longer. 
 Back into what no\v looked like savagery I should go 
 to cherish her in my heart as the angel of a dream. 
 And she would know nothing of the love that gnawed 
 my soul out. She would think of me as a friend 
 an odd sort of a friend, mayhap, with whom she 
 had gone through great troubles and, yes, some happy 
 hours. But not once would she think of love. Oh, 
 no! for she loved someone else. Surely she must 
 love someone else, for she was made to love. 
 
 " Who can he be ? " I wondered. " What is he 
 like ? Ah ! young, handsome, graceful, and a man 
 of fine speech as different from me as day from 
 night. But he is unworthy, whoever he may be; 
 for who could be worthy of her ? Ha ! why could 
 not a better face and manner have been given me? 
 Gad ! Cadwaller was right ; I do look like a brigand. 
 
 410
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 The devil take me ! " I snarled in sudden, childish 
 rage, and stamped a hole in the grass with my heel. 
 
 " Oh, you frightened him away! " the lady cried. 
 " He had just decided to taste of this bunch of 
 flowers. And what is this ? More ill temper ? 
 You are past redemption ! " She shook her head 
 resignedly. " But what s amiss ? Come, tell me 
 all about it." She leaned back in her seat, with 
 eyes half-closed, dark red lips pouting temptingly, 
 and her whole face half-smiling, as though humour 
 ing a discontented child. 
 
 My heart beat faster and my head swam as I looked 
 upon her beauty. Zounds ! such temptation was too 
 great. I tried to turn my eyes away, but they would 
 not. She saw my look, and must have read it, but 
 she only smiled the more temptingly, and her full 
 bosom rose and fell more quickly. 
 
 " Come, tell me of what troubles you," she repeated 
 very low. 
 
 I clenched the arm of the seat and struggled with 
 my heart. I saw my danger, and was sure she could 
 not have the least suspicion of what my trouble was. 
 I was determined I would not so abuse her sympathy 
 and kindness as to let her know my secret ; for then 
 we both should be unhappy now there was but one 
 that suffered. But I felt that this was the fight of 
 my life Mark Everard had met his match. Despite 
 me my lips parted and the words escaped; but I 
 fought with my voice to make it calm. 
 
 411
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " I I must return to London," I stammered. 
 
 She still smiled, but more irresistibly than ever, 
 for her colour heightened, adding beauty to the 
 already perfect. And 1 had thought to see some 
 little sign of regret, at least. My heart grew bitter 
 quickly, but with the next breath I felt my will melt 
 ing before those half-closed eyes, the sweetly pouting 
 lips, and swelling bosom. 
 
 " When ? " she asked gently. 
 
 " To-morrow to-day now ! " 
 
 She was startled by this outburst. She sat erect 
 quickly, stared at me for but a moment, then bowed 
 her head and resumed her occupation of pulling 
 the blossom into pieces. But from the part of her 
 face that I saw I should be almost willing to swear 
 she was smiling again. . . . Still, her breathing was 
 faster. 
 
 " Wh why ? " she stammered. 
 
 " Ah, she does regret it ! " I whispered to myself. 
 
 " Why ? " she almost whispered, after a little 
 silence. 
 
 For the shortest time imaginable she raised her 
 eyes, then instantly they fell again ; but the time was 
 long enough to steal my remaining will. 
 
 " Because because I I love the sweetest, kind 
 est, noblest lady in the world ! Ah, Heaven, how 
 I love her ! " I whispered hoarsely. " Her like 
 the world never has seen before, nor will again. Ah, 
 she is so beautiful, so bright and young, and so, so 
 
 412
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 kind ; and all unconscious of her virtues ! And I 
 I have dared to love such an angel ! Upon my 
 honour, tis absurd ! But she knows not that I love 
 her, Madam mayhap she would laugh if she should 
 learn of it ; and that would kill me. A sword-thrust 
 were better. Yes, I know she would laugh, and with 
 good right. Tis monstrous presumption in me to 
 love her ; but it is not my fault. God knows I fought 
 it, fought it, fought it, but still it grew and thrived 
 with opposition ! But she knows not of it, nor even 
 suspects that I could be so mad as to hope to pluck a 
 star from out the sky. Nor shall she ever know 
 lest she should laugh. 
 
 Upon my soul, I thought I saw a tear fall to her 
 hand! 
 
 " And why why do you think she would laugh ? " 
 she asked very gently. "Can such a love cause 
 laughter ? If so, she she is heartless and un 
 worthy." 
 
 " Unworthy ! No, she is an angel ! " 
 
 " Then she could not laugh at love." 
 
 " No, mayhap not from someone not so far be 
 neath her as I ! " 
 
 " And pray why are you beneath her ? " Yes, I 
 am sure the cheek I saw was smiling. " You are of 
 gentle birth, untarnished honour, and courage greater 
 than any other." 
 
 " To my birth I shall not object, though birth has 
 little to do with a man; honour not so little as to 
 
 413
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 cause avoidance ; and courage up to the average. 
 But what are these where love is concerned ? My 
 lady would demand a young gentleman, a handsome 
 face, and a tongue well schooled to converse on gentle 
 topics. And I 
 
 " Yes, pray go on." 
 
 " And I have none of these qualifications." 
 
 " Oh ! " 
 
 " I am of but middle height." 
 
 "Tall!" 
 
 " Too thick-set and awkward." 
 
 " Square and soldierly." 
 
 " I am harsh-featured." 
 
 " Strong and determined." 
 
 " And my tongue is rough, and more used to oaths 
 than gallantry." 
 
 " Straightforward and sincere." 
 
 " And to crush the last spark of hope, I am fifteen 
 years her senior." 
 
 " And very proper it is." 
 
 I wondered if she laughed at me. She looked sin 
 cere, but there was a twinkle of merriment in her 
 eyes. 
 
 " So you see, Madam, why my heart is heavy. 
 With such an array of obstacles, is it any wonder ? " 
 
 " You have shown me no obstacles." 
 
 " What ! " 
 
 " I brushed aside, one by one, all the imaginary 
 objections you raised." 
 
 414
 
 Mark. Everard 
 
 I laughed bitterly. " Little does she dream of 
 whom I speak," I muttered to myself. 
 
 " And she is vastly rich." 
 
 " She should be thankful." 
 
 " Ah ! but not so I." 
 
 " I fear you do not know your lady. Surely she 
 is not as you paint her ! First, she is not an angel, 
 but very human; and next, she is not so foolish as 
 to think soft words and well-turned phrases bespeak 
 a noble gentleman ; they rather bespeak the prac 
 ticed courtier, of whom beware. Ah, Sir, I am sure 
 you have misread her ! " 
 
 I shook my head sadly. " Could you but see her 
 as I see her ! Ah, she is an angel ! You do not 
 know her. She does not know herself." 
 
 She laughed, a little uneasily, I thought. " I 
 know her thoroughly." 
 
 " What ! You know her you Madam ? " 
 
 " Yes, I that is ah, I know what she must be 
 like; all maidens are alike," she stammered. 
 
 " Oh ! " I sighed. " But no you wrong her ; 
 for she differs from all others of her sex as 
 
 " As one star differeth from another, " she in 
 terrupted. 
 
 " Xay, as the sun differs all other lights." 
 
 " Ah, ah, you know her not ! If she be a woman, 
 a word of love will reach her car." 
 
 " I dare not speak to her of love." 
 
 " Mark Everard not dare ! " 
 
 415
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 " No, I dare nor cause her pain. And so I must 
 go to London. 
 
 I am sure I saw her tremble. 
 
 " Is she is she in London ? " she asked very 
 faintly. 
 
 I clutched the seat still tighter, but the words were 
 drawn from me one by one. 
 
 " Xo, Madam, no; I go not to London, that I 
 may see her but but that I may may escape 
 from a temptation greater than my strength. Oh, 
 God, I am beaten ! You force me to speak ! She is 
 not in London, but here, here, here ! Tis you I love ! 
 Tis you I worship ! Now, now I have wounded you ! 
 Forgive me, but I could not help it ! I could not ! 
 I could not ! God forgive me for an ingrate ! I 
 have abused your hospitality and kindness ! For 
 give me ! Forgive me ! " I threw myself upon my 
 knees before her and buried my face in my hands. 
 My heart was wrung with love and anguish love for 
 the fairest creature on God s earth, and anguish for 
 the pain my mad confession would cause her. 
 
 " And what what shall T forgive you, love ? 
 Shall I forgive the noblest heart on earth because 
 he thinks me worthy of his love ? My brave, noble, 
 great-hearted hero ! " Her voice shook and came in 
 an almost whisper. 
 
 My brain swam and my body trembled as her 
 gentle fingers strayed through my hair caressingly. 
 
 " And you feared you feared that your love 
 
 416
 
 would wound me, clear? Ah, how little you have 
 read my heart ! Your love has made you blind, love, 
 or you had seen my love in every glance. And you 
 saw it not, nor heard it in my faintest word ? Ah ! 
 it was there, dear. With every breath it went out 
 to you to the King of my little kingdom here." 
 With one hand she brushed the hair back from my 
 forehead, the other she held to her heart. Her 
 lovely eyes were filled with tears; her voice was 
 scarcely audible, but sweet, ah ! sweet as the song of 
 an angel. 
 
 For a time I could not speak ; my heart leaped and 
 my throat ached with a joy that bound my tongue and 
 filled my eyes to overflowing. Slowly, fearfully, lest 
 I should wake and find my happiness a mocking 
 dream, I raised my trembling hands toward the 
 blushing, smiling, lovely face. My fingers lost them 
 selves in the falling coils of soft, dark hair ; tenderly 
 they touched the shapely, perfect head; gently, 
 slowly she bent to me, her eyes looking into my soul. 
 
 " Sweetheart, sweetheart, darling," I whispered 
 brokenly. 
 
 Her quivering eyelids closed ; her trembling fingers 
 pressed my cheeks ; the full red lips parted gently, 
 and with a little gasp of love, pressed, warm and 
 soft, against my own. 
 
 " Sweetheart, is it, is it real ( " 
 
 "Real, love, real, and everlasting! But I fear 
 you made me unmaidenly v.-ln-n you made me force 
 
 417
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 you to speak. Ah, I have been very bold, I 
 fear!" 
 
 I laughed and kissed her hands. " But how could 
 I know that you could love me, sweetheart ^ When 
 despite my will, the words sprang from my heart, I 
 suffered torture lest I had caused you pain. The 
 world was so dark then, sweetheart, and now I 
 tremble with joy." 
 
 I held her close in my arms, and her fingers still 
 ran through my hair. 
 
 " And you did not suspect my love, dear ? " she 
 whispered. 
 
 " For me ? Ah, no ; I thought it pity." 
 
 " Then I I had a great advantage," she smiled, 
 blushing more deeply and dropping her eyes. 
 
 " An advantage ? What ! You guessed ? " 
 
 " You told me all, and so, so sweetly ! In your 
 
 fever you spoke of none but me, dear. And I 
 
 she paused, drew my head closer, and whispered very 
 low: "I I kissed you. Was it was it very 
 bold ? " 
 
 " Very," I reproved. " And the only way you can 
 make restitution is by permitting me to return your 
 kisses." 
 
 She laughed and patted my cheek. " But you 
 forced me to kiss you. You would not remain quiet 
 unless I held your hand or stroked your head, 
 or " 
 
 " Kissed me ? " 
 
 418
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 Her bead nodded several times rapidly, and her 
 eyelids remained drooped. 
 
 " Come, sweetheart, you must pay your debts," I 
 whispered. 
 
 She threw her arms around my neck in an outburst 
 of tenderness, and the tears of happiness fell hot upon 
 my cheek. 
 
 A deep gruff voice, raised high in song, came float 
 ing through the trees and flowers from a little way up 
 the winding walk. I started and hurriedly took my 
 seat beside my sweetheart. 
 
 " Mark, it is dear old Toby. This is the first time 
 1 ever have heard him sing. Is it not strange that 
 he should come singing so light-heartedly just now ? 
 It is as though he knew of our happiness. And, 
 hark! it is the May-pole song. Ah! do you remem 
 ber when last we heard it, dear ? " 
 
 " Remember ! Tis engraven on my heart." 
 
 The first verse came to an end as we spoke. The 
 true-hearted soldier burst forth on the second. 
 
 " You re out, says Dick, Not I, says Nick, 
 
 Twasthe fiddler play d it wrong, 
 Tis true, says Hugh, and so says Sue, 
 
 And so says ev ry one ; 
 The fiddler then began 
 
 To play the tune again, 
 And ev ry girl did trip it, trip it, 
 
 Trip it to the men, 
 And ev ry girl did trip it, trip it, 
 
 Trip it to the men." 
 
 I saw his head bobbing up and down above %> 
 
 419
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 bushes as he marched along- in time with the song. 
 Straight on, looking to neither right nor left, he came. 
 II is face was stern as ever, the bushy brows and bris 
 tling mustaches trying bravely to meet as he tossed 
 his head at every second word. As he finished the 
 last line lie stepped from the path. 
 
 " Od s life ! " I heard him gasp, and his face 
 flushed like a maiden s. 
 
 We held our heads bent forward, and watched him 
 stealthily. He pressed his sword close to his side, 
 turned noiselessly and tiptoed back again the way he 
 had come, his face turned over his shoulder, and the 
 honest features softening until they glowed with 
 happiness. As he reached the path he paused, slowly 
 uncovered his head and raised his face to Heaven. 
 I could see his lips moving yes, and I read the 
 vords. u God bless them," he said from his great 
 wajrm heart. Then he glanced back at us again, 
 smiled broadly, shook his head knowingly, as though 
 to say: " Ah! I told you so," and crept up the path, 
 congratulating himself on his escaping unseen. 
 
 " Dear old Toby ! We have his blessing. Oh, oh 
 how I love the whole, great world to-day, dear ! " 
 Tears of happiness, which can flow from a great 
 heart only, were standing in her eyes. " And I love 
 all and see beauty in all because you have filled my 
 heart with goodness until it overflows. . . . Xow, 
 you will not go to London ? " 
 
 " Here among tho blossoms and the trees, sweet- 
 
 420
 
 Mark Everard 
 
 heart, the sand of our life has started on its golden 
 course; and here let us count each sparkling grain 
 that falls, shielding the glass within the sacred walls 
 of this true paradise, that the storms that sometimes 
 rage without may not hasten the flight of this fairies 
 dream." 
 
 Her head was upon my breast, and my hand 
 caressed the beauteous waves of hair. But now as I 
 ceased to speak she looked up and, putting her little 
 hand on each of my cheeks, studied my face with eyes 
 of love. She shook her head slowly from side to side, 
 her lips smiling and her eyes still tearful. 
 
 " Was ever woman blessed with the love of so noble 
 a gentleman before ? " 
 
 " Darling ! Sweetheart ! Angel ! " I whispered. 
 
 "Listen!" 
 
 From far up the path, near the house, Toby s 
 voice rolled out again. Every word sprang from a 
 happy heart. But the voice came fainter as the song 
 progressed. 
 
 " Then after an hour they went to a bow r, 
 
 And play d for ale and cakes, 
 i And kisses too, until they were due, 
 
 The lasses held the stakes. 
 The girls did then begin 
 
 To quarrel with the men, 
 And bade them take their kisses back, 
 
 And give them their own again ; 
 And bade them kisses , 
 
 And them again." 
 
 The gruff old voice died out in the distance. 
 
 421
 
 UC SOUTHERN RE&O .-- j (1 .-..,, ,.,,, 
 
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