Beneath the wide-spreading branches of a noble elm, forming part of the

great avenue, and standing at a short distance from the principal,
entrance to the palace, were collected together, one pleasant afternoon
in May, a small group of persons, consisting almost entirely of the
reader"s acquaintances
Beneath the wide-spreading branches of a noble elm, forming part of the
great avenue, and standing at a short distance from the principal,
entrance to the palace, were collected together, one pleasant afternoon
in May, a small group of persons, consisting almost entirely of the
reader"s acquaintances. Chief amongst them was Jocelyn Mounchensey, who,
having dismounted and fastened his horse to the branch, was leaning
against the large trunk of the tree, contemplating the magnificent
structure we have attempted to describe. Unacquainted as yet with its
internal splendours, he had no difficulty in comprehending them from
what he beheld from without. The entrance gates were open, and a wide
archway beyond leading to the great quadrangle, gave him a view of its
beautiful marble fountain in the midst, ornamented with exquisite
statues of Venus and Cupid. Numerous officers of the household, pages,
ushers, and serving-men in the royal liveries, with now and then some
personage of distinction, were continually passing across the Fountain
Court. Gaily attired courtiers, in doublets of satin and mantles of
velvet, were lounging in the balconies of the presence-chamber, staring
at Jocelyn and his companions for, want of better occupation. Other
young nobles, accompanied by richly-habited dames--some of them the
highest-born and loveliest in the land--were promenading to and fro upon
the garden terrace on the right, chattering and laughing loudly. There
was plenty of life and movement everywhere. Even in the Lord
Chamberlain"s walk, which, as we have said, was contrived in the upper
part of the structure, and formed a sort of external gallery, three
persons might be discerned; and to save the reader any speculation, we
will tell him that these persons were the Duke of Lennox (Lord
Chamberlain), the Conde de Gondomar (the Spanish lieger-ambassador), and
the Lord Roos. In front of the great gates were stationed four warders
with the royal badge woven in gold on the front and back of their
crimson doublets, with roses in their velvet hats, roses in their
buskins, and halberts over their shoulders. Just within the gates stood
a gigantic porter, a full head and shoulders taller than the burly
warders themselves. From the summit of the lofty central tower of the
palace floated the royal banner, discernible by all the country round.

'Well, if you think you ought to be delivering your groceries, why not

give the envelope to me? I"ll stay here and wait, though I must say I am
getting tired
'Well, if you think you ought to be delivering your groceries, why not
give the envelope to me? I"ll stay here and wait, though I must say I am
getting tired.'

'When you see her, Nanse, tell her to make haste, an" for God"s sake not

to disappoint me
'When you see her, Nanse, tell her to make haste, an" for God"s sake not
to disappoint me. I can"t rest well the day I don"t meet her.'

'To whom have you promised your daughter in marriage?' inquired the

young man
'To whom have you promised your daughter in marriage?' inquired the
young man. 'You have constituted me her brother, and I am therefore
entitled to inquire.'

On the east side of the Fountain Court stood an arched cloister; and on

the ground-floor there was a spacious hall, paved with marble, and
embellished with a curiously-carved ceiling
On the east side of the Fountain Court stood an arched cloister; and on
the ground-floor there was a spacious hall, paved with marble, and
embellished with a curiously-carved ceiling. Adjoining it were the
apartments assigned to the Earl of Salisbury as Keeper of Theobalds, the
council-chamber, and the chambers of Sir Lewis Lewkener, Master of the
Ceremonies, and Sir John Finett. Above was the presence-chamber,
wainscotted with oak, painted in liver-colour and gilded, having rich
pendents from the ceiling, and vast windows resplendent with armorial
bearings. Near this were the privy-chamber and the King"s bed-chamber,
together with a wide gallery, one hundred and twenty-three feet in
length, wainscotted and roofed like the presence-chamber, but yet more
gorgeously fretted and painted. Its walls were ornamented with stags"
heads with branching antlers. On the upper floor were the rooms assigned
to the Duke of Lennox, as Lord Chamberlain, and close to them was one of
the external leaded walks before alluded to, sixty-two feet long-and
eleven wide, which, from its eminent position, carried the gaze to Ware.

'God"s grace be upon you, whoever you are, young man!' exclaimed the

carman; 'for wid His help an" your own good arm, it"s my downright
opinion that you saved us from bein" both robbed an" murthered
'God"s grace be upon you, whoever you are, young man!' exclaimed the
carman; 'for wid His help an" your own good arm, it"s my downright
opinion that you saved us from bein" both robbed an" murthered.'

'It is right she should hear the truth,' replied the Secretary of State

'It is right she should hear the truth,' replied the Secretary of State.
'Here is her authority for admittance to her father,' he continued,
giving it to him. 'It must take place in your presence, Sir Jocelyn. And
you will pay strict attention to what they say,' he added in a low tone,
'for you will have to report all that passes between them to the
council. Something may arise to implicate the girl herself, so let
naught escape you. Be vigilant in your office, as is needful. I mention
this as you are new to it. If the prisoner continues obstinate, as he
hath hitherto shown himself, threaten him with the torture. The rack
will certainly be applied when he reaches the Tower. I need not give you
further instructions I think, Sir Jocelyn. Be pleased to return to me
when the interview is over.'

'I know it,' he rejoined

'I know it,' he rejoined. 'You have no need to practise other
enchantments with me than those you possess by nature. But what I tell
you will show you the extent of their malice, and steel your heart, as
it hath already steeled mine, against them.'

'I must have this confirmed by herself' he said in reply to Nell"s

disclosure, 'otherwise I shall be much more inclined to consider you the
thief than O"Rorke, whose character has been hitherto unimpeachable and
above suspicion
'I must have this confirmed by herself' he said in reply to Nell"s
disclosure, 'otherwise I shall be much more inclined to consider you the
thief than O"Rorke, whose character has been hitherto unimpeachable and
above suspicion.'

Hitherto Jocelyn had made no attempt at self-liberation; awaiting,

probably, the result of the "prentices" efforts in his behalf, or some
more favourable opportunity than had hitherto presented itself
Hitherto Jocelyn had made no attempt at self-liberation; awaiting,
probably, the result of the "prentices" efforts in his behalf, or some
more favourable opportunity than had hitherto presented itself. On
reaching the little court the time for exertion seemed to be come.
Shaking off the myrmidons who pinioned him, and seizing a bill from one
of them, he instantly stretched the fellow at his feet, and drove off
his comrade. This done, he lent immediate assistance to Dick Taverner,
setting him free, and arming him with as much promptitude as he had used
to effect his own deliverance.

'You may all talk,' she said; 'but if Lamh Laudher Oge didn"t strike

him, he had good reasons for it
'You may all talk,' she said; 'but if Lamh Laudher Oge didn"t strike
him, he had good reasons for it. How do you know, an" bad cess to your
tongues, all through other, how Ellen Neil would like him after weltin"
her brother? Don"t ye think she has the spirit of her faction in her as
well as another?'

Attracted by the food sign, he entered, took a seat near a partition,

and ordered some pork and beans
Attracted by the food sign, he entered, took a seat near a partition,
and ordered some pork and beans.

'Yes, yes; in his favour, Sire,' said De Gondomar, looking hard at the

young nobleman
'Yes, yes; in his favour, Sire,' said De Gondomar, looking hard at the
young nobleman. 'You need not trouble his Majesty further, my lord. He
is graciously pleased to accede to our wishes.'

With terror and fury upon his huge dark features, he advanced a step or

two into the cottage, and in a voice that resembled the under-growl
of an enraged bull, said to his wife, for it was she--'You will never
repeat this--I am aware of you; I know you now! Fury! prepare yourself;
I say so to both
With terror and fury upon his huge dark features, he advanced a step or
two into the cottage, and in a voice that resembled the under-growl
of an enraged bull, said to his wife, for it was she--'You will never
repeat this--I am aware of you; I know you now! Fury! prepare yourself;
I say so to both. Ha!' Neither she nor Lamh Laudher had an opportunity
of replying to him, for he ran in a mood perfectly savage to the
half-hundred weight, which he caught by the ring, whirled it round him
two or three times, and, to the amazement of the mob who were crowded
about him, flung it over the roof of the cottage.

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

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

'I am a believer in the Gospel,' the Puritan replied

'I am a believer in the Gospel,' the Puritan replied. 'And am willing to
seal my faith in it with my blood. I am sent hither to warn thee, O
King, and thou wilt do well not to despise my words. Repent ere it be
too late. Wonderfully hath thy life been preserved. Dedicate the
remainder of thy days to the service of the Most High. Persecute not His
people, and revile them not. Purge thy City of its uncleanness and
idolatry, and thy Court of its corruption. Profane not the Sabbath'--

'John,' she replied, bursting into tears, 'I do know that it"s a sore

obligation to lay upon you, when everything"s taken into account; but
if you wouldn"t do this for me, who would you do it for? Before heaven,
John, I dread a meetin" between you an" my brother, afther what he tould
me; an" the only way of preventin" danger is for you not to strike him
'John,' she replied, bursting into tears, 'I do know that it"s a sore
obligation to lay upon you, when everything"s taken into account; but
if you wouldn"t do this for me, who would you do it for? Before heaven,
John, I dread a meetin" between you an" my brother, afther what he tould
me; an" the only way of preventin" danger is for you not to strike him.
Oh, little you know what I have suffered these two days for both your
sakes! Lamh Laudher Oge, I doubt it would be well for me if I had never
seen your face.'

It was with difficulty that he could realize that he was actually on his

way to the great West
It was with difficulty that he could realize that he was actually on his
way to the great West. But the steady motion of the train, the whirl of
the wheels, and the occasional blast of the engine"s whistle, told him
that he was not dreaming, and after enjoying for a while the sensation
of travelling he began to think about what he should do when he reached
Chicago.

Putting Bob into the cab of an engine, six officers climbed aboard, and

a record run was made to the scene of the arrest
Putting Bob into the cab of an engine, six officers climbed aboard, and
a record run was made to the scene of the arrest.

'I expect you to give me enough money to carry me to Oklahoma City from

what my father left me
'I expect you to give me enough money to carry me to Oklahoma City from
what my father left me. When I get settled out there, I will let you
know, and you can send me the rest of the money which was entrusted to
you for me. If I took it with me, I might get robbed.'

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

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

And very numerous they were on that day

And very numerous they were on that day. More so than usual. Sir
Francis, who had brought a boat from Westminster, where he dwelt,
experienced some difficulty in landing at the stairs, invested as they
were with barges, wherries and watermen, all of whom had evidently
brought customers to the Three Cranes. Besides these, there were two or
three gilded pinnaces lying off the wharf, with oarsmen in rich
liveries, evidently belonging to persons of rank.

The movement did not pass unnoticed by Lord Roos and the Spanish

Ambassador, between whom an almost imperceptible smile passed
The movement did not pass unnoticed by Lord Roos and the Spanish
Ambassador, between whom an almost imperceptible smile passed.

At first Bob failed, but he was soon able to drop the noose over

At first Bob failed, but he was soon able to drop the noose over. So
much accomplished, the ranchman ordered him to get his pony and try to
rope the stake while riding past.

'One day Sam come to me and said he wanted me to ride over to a creek

near what is now the town of Fairfax, and watch a bunch of about thirty
head he told me he just bought
'One day Sam come to me and said he wanted me to ride over to a creek
near what is now the town of Fairfax, and watch a bunch of about thirty
head he told me he just bought. There was a pack of Crow Injuns that we
knew was somewhere around there. But in them days it was the same with
working for a man as it was about asking questions. If he told you to do
anything, it was up to you to do it, or stand the consequences. So I
saddled a flea-bitten pinto and set out, though I must say I wasn"t
particularly keen on going. It had been rumored that Sam had got some
of his cattle from the Injuns, and we"d always expected that if Sam ever
did die--of which we had our doubts, because he was so mean--that it
would be at the hand of a redskin.

'I was in the act of covering her eyes and mouth to prevent her from

either knowing her old servant or making a noise,--but d---- it, I was
bent to save her life that night, rather than take it,' said Rody
'I was in the act of covering her eyes and mouth to prevent her from
either knowing her old servant or making a noise,--but d---- it, I was
bent to save her life that night, rather than take it,' said Rody.

While his cowboys were obeying his instructions with no gentle hands,

Ford mounted his horse, keeping Bob behind him
While his cowboys were obeying his instructions with no gentle hands,
Ford mounted his horse, keeping Bob behind him.

But the man"s departure had shattered his hopes, and Bob, with a feeling

of great loneliness, mechanically followed the other passengers from the
car out upon the wide platform
But the man"s departure had shattered his hopes, and Bob, with a feeling
of great loneliness, mechanically followed the other passengers from the
car out upon the wide platform. His feeling of isolation was made even
more poignant by the hearty greetings which sounded all around him, as
one after another of the people who had arrived on the same train were
met by their friends or families.

'I trust it may be profitable to Sir Hugh in the end,' Jocelyn said;

'and if not, he will reap his reward hereafter
'I trust it may be profitable to Sir Hugh in the end,' Jocelyn said;
'and if not, he will reap his reward hereafter.'

When the conductor came along collecting the tickets, Bob proudly drew

forth his pass and presented it
When the conductor came along collecting the tickets, Bob proudly drew
forth his pass and presented it. As though unable to reconcile the bit
of paper with the poorly-clad boy, the conductor scrutinized the
official transportation closely, from time to time glancing at Bob.

'Come,' said she, seizing her lover"s arm, and dragging him onward:

'gracious heavens! I hope you haven"t killed him
'Come,' said she, seizing her lover"s arm, and dragging him onward:
'gracious heavens! I hope you haven"t killed him. Come, John, the time
is short, and we must make the most of it. That villain, as I tould you
before, is a villain. Oh! if you knew it! John, I have been the manes of
your disgrace and suffering, but I am willing to do what I can to remedy
that. In your disgrace, Ellen will be ready, in four days from this,
to become your wife. John, come to meet me no more. I will send that
villain"s innocent wife to your aunt Alley"s, where you now live". I
didn"t expect to see you myself; but I got an opportunity, and besides
she was too unwell to bring my message, which was to let you know what I
now tell you.'

'You do not perceive the comedy, because it has been part of our scheme

to keep you in the dark, Sir Giles
'You do not perceive the comedy, because it has been part of our scheme
to keep you in the dark, Sir Giles.'

'Well, so long as you didn"t get hurt, it"s all right

'Well, so long as you didn"t get hurt, it"s all right. But don"t try it
again. Now, run back and climb into the caboose. Let"s see how quick you
can do it.'

Mindful of Mr

Mindful of Mr. Perkins" request that he look after Bob, the brakeman
brought a coat with which he covered the boy, as the chill of night
settled on the car, and several times as he passed he tucked it about
Bob, when his moving had caused it to slide to the floor.

Reluctantly the cowboys obeyed and when they were out of hearing, Bob

spoke, giving a detailed account of the reasons why he had come to
Fairfax, the experiences through which he had passed while on the way,
his discoveries about his father"s property, and finally showed the
ranchman the precious letter
Reluctantly the cowboys obeyed and when they were out of hearing, Bob
spoke, giving a detailed account of the reasons why he had come to
Fairfax, the experiences through which he had passed while on the way,
his discoveries about his father"s property, and finally showed the
ranchman the precious letter.

To Bob"s surprise, as he entered the store, not a soul was visible, but

at the sound of his footsteps on the hard floor his guardian suddenly
appeared from his private office, his shrewd face suffused by the
ingratiating smirk he always put on when going to meet a prospective
customer
To Bob"s surprise, as he entered the store, not a soul was visible, but
at the sound of his footsteps on the hard floor his guardian suddenly
appeared from his private office, his shrewd face suffused by the
ingratiating smirk he always put on when going to meet a prospective
customer. At the sight of his ward standing in the middle of the floor,
however, he started, and then his face assumed a look of forbidding
severity.

'Well, if it does, the boy"ll have to take the consequences

'Well, if it does, the boy"ll have to take the consequences. I always
told him he shouldn"t linger over delivering his orders. It will be a
good lesson to him.'

'You must thank my Lord Roos, and not me, Madame,' Buckingham graciously

replied, raising her as he spoke
'You must thank my Lord Roos, and not me, Madame,' Buckingham graciously
replied, raising her as he spoke. 'It was at his lordship"s instance I
came here. He takes a warm interest in you, Madame.'

And they proceeded on their way towards Tottenham, and were presently

saluted by the merry ringing of bells, proclaiming some village
festival
And they proceeded on their way towards Tottenham, and were presently
saluted by the merry ringing of bells, proclaiming some village
festival.

'I know not--I know not,' replied the Countess, bewildered; 'but I stand

appalled before the magnitude of the offence
'I know not--I know not,' replied the Countess, bewildered; 'but I stand
appalled before the magnitude of the offence.'

For a moment after this terrible alternative was pronounced there was

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

'I don"t understand it,' he said

'I don"t understand it,' he said. 'I fully expected to find you lying in
Ford"s cabin all chewed up. And here your clothes aren"t even torn. I
don"t understand it. This is the first time Chester has ever made
friends with anybody. He only minds Ford because he"s afraid of him.'

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

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

'I am satisfied that Sir Francis has been duped,' he replied, 'and that

when his brain is free from the fumes of wine, he will bitterly regret
his folly
'I am satisfied that Sir Francis has been duped,' he replied, 'and that
when his brain is free from the fumes of wine, he will bitterly regret
his folly. But even his discharge will be insufficient. Though it may
bind me, it will not bind the Crown, which will yet enforce its claims.'

Arrived beneath the window, Gillian committed the tambourine to Dick

Taverner, who still hovered behind her like her shadow, and fastening
the bouquet to the end of her shepherdess"s crook held it up towards
Aveline, crying out, in a playful tone, and with an arch look, '"Tis a
love gift to Mistress Aveline Calveley on the part of that young
cavalier
Arrived beneath the window, Gillian committed the tambourine to Dick
Taverner, who still hovered behind her like her shadow, and fastening
the bouquet to the end of her shepherdess"s crook held it up towards
Aveline, crying out, in a playful tone, and with an arch look, '"Tis a
love gift to Mistress Aveline Calveley on the part of that young
cavalier.'

Hawking, in those days, was what shooting is in the present;

fowling-pieces being scarcely used, if at all
Hawking, in those days, was what shooting is in the present;
fowling-pieces being scarcely used, if at all. Thus the varieties of the
hawk-tribe were not merely employed in the capture of pheasants,
partridges, grouse, rails, quails, and other game, besides water-fowl,
but in the chase of hares; and in all of these pursuits the falconers
were assisted by dogs. Game, of course, could only be killed at
particular seasons of the year; and wild-geese, wild-ducks, woodcocks,
and snipes in the winter; but spring and summer pastime was afforded by
the crane, the bustard, the heron, the rook, and the kite; while, at
the same periods, some of the smaller description of water-fowl offered
excellent sport on lake or river.

The master-spirit of the twain was undoubtedly Sir Giles Mompesson

The master-spirit of the twain was undoubtedly Sir Giles Mompesson.
Quick in conception of villainy, he was equally daring in execution.
How he had risen to his present bad eminence no one precisely knew;
because, with the craft and subtlety that distinguished him, he laid his
schemes so deeply, and covered his proceedings with so thick a veil,
that they had been rarely detected. Report, however, spoke of him as a
usurer of the vilest kind, who wrung exorbitant interest from needy
borrowers,--who advanced money to expectant heirs, with the intention of
plundering them of their inheritance,--and who resorted to every trick
and malpractice permitted by the law to benefit himself at his
neighbour"s expense. These were bad enough, but even graver accusations
were made against him. It was whispered that he had obtained fraudulent
possession of deeds and family papers, which had enabled him to wrest
estates from their rightful owners; and some did not scruple to add to
these charges that he had forged documents to carry out his nefarious
designs. Be this as it may, from comparative poverty he speedily rose to
wealth; and, as his means increased, so his avaricious schemes were
multiplied and extended. His earlier days were passed in complete
obscurity, none but the neediest spendthrift or the most desperate
gambler knowing where he dwelt, and every one who found him out in his
wretched abode near the Marshalsea had reason to regret his visit. Now
he was well enough known by many a courtly prodigal, and his large
mansion near Fleet Bridge (it was said of him that he always chose the
neigbourhood of a prison for his dwelling) was resorted to by the town
gallants whose, necessities or extravagance compelled them to obtain
supplies at exorbitant interest. Lavish in his expenditure on occasions,
Sir Giles was habitually so greedy and penurious, that he begrudged
every tester he expended. He wished to keep up a show of hospitality
without cost, and secretly pleased himself by thinking that he made his
guests pay for his entertainments, and even for his establishment. His
servants complained of being half-starved, though he was constantly at
war with them for their wastefulness and riot. He made, however, a great
display of attendants, inasmuch as he had a whole retinue of myrmidons
at his beck and call; and these, as before observed, were well paid.
They were the crows that followed the vultures, and picked the bones of
the spoil when their ravening masters had been fully glutted.

Arrived at the police station, the countryman and the patrolman both

talked at once, while Bob stood in silence, overcome by the disgrace of
his arrest
Arrived at the police station, the countryman and the patrolman both
talked at once, while Bob stood in silence, overcome by the disgrace of
his arrest.

'Nay, let him who called it so answer thee, child, for I cannot,' the

old farmer rejoined
'Nay, let him who called it so answer thee, child, for I cannot,' the
old farmer rejoined. 'I can see naught idolatrous in it.'

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

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