This new resolve fascinated the boy, and he fell into a day dream, in

which bronchos, cowboys, and herds of cattle figured prominently, and so
engrossed did he become in it, that it was with a start he heard the
train announcer call out the train for Kansas City and the West, which
he was to take
This new resolve fascinated the boy, and he fell into a day dream, in
which bronchos, cowboys, and herds of cattle figured prominently, and so
engrossed did he become in it, that it was with a start he heard the
train announcer call out the train for Kansas City and the West, which
he was to take.

But his manner was not convincing, and the girl continued her

interrogations, but on a different tack
But his manner was not convincing, and the girl continued her
interrogations, but on a different tack.

'I expect her to answer my question,' rejoined the Secretary of State,

sharply
'I expect her to answer my question,' rejoined the Secretary of State,
sharply. 'Were you in Lord Roos"s room last night?' he added, to
Gillian.

'It is not unlikely we may encounter him, as he now dwells near

Edmonton, and is frequently on the road,' Dick said; 'and if so, I will
point him out to you, I have some slight acquaintance with him, having
often served him in my master"s shop in Paul"s Churchyard
'It is not unlikely we may encounter him, as he now dwells near
Edmonton, and is frequently on the road,' Dick said; 'and if so, I will
point him out to you, I have some slight acquaintance with him, having
often served him in my master"s shop in Paul"s Churchyard. Talking of
Edmonton, with your permission, Sir, we will break our fast at the
Bell,[1] where I am known, and where you will be well served. The host
is a jovial fellow and trusty, and may give us information which will be
useful before we proceed on our perilous expedition to Theobalds.'

'You"re Bob Nichols, I suppose

'You"re Bob Nichols, I suppose. My name is Henry Thomas. Your father
wired me to be on the lookout for you. I had to report the train or I"d
have come out sooner. What can I do for you?'

'It musn"t be,' said they, 'for whatever was over him wid Meehaul Neil,

we know now he"s no coward, an" that"s enough
'It musn"t be,' said they, 'for whatever was over him wid Meehaul Neil,
we know now he"s no coward, an" that"s enough. We musn"t see him beat
dead before our eyes, at all events, where is he?'

This final appeal had not yet been made; but an interview had taken

place between Lady Roos and her husband, at which, with many passionate
entreaties, she had implored him to shake off the thraldom in which he
had bound himself, and to return to her, when all should be forgiven and
forgotten,--but without effect
This final appeal had not yet been made; but an interview had taken
place between Lady Roos and her husband, at which, with many passionate
entreaties, she had implored him to shake off the thraldom in which he
had bound himself, and to return to her, when all should be forgiven and
forgotten,--but without effect.

The enamoured knight seized the hand she extended towards him, but in

the attempt to kiss it fell to the ground, amid the laughter of the
company
The enamoured knight seized the hand she extended towards him, but in
the attempt to kiss it fell to the ground, amid the laughter of the
company.

When they appeared upon the street, however, the passersby stopped and

stared at the curious pair--Bob, in his worn, ill-fitting suit, and the
darky, very black, clad in the latest fashion--with amazement
When they appeared upon the street, however, the passersby stopped and
stared at the curious pair--Bob, in his worn, ill-fitting suit, and the
darky, very black, clad in the latest fashion--with amazement.

'I am not over-dainty, and shall do ample justice to whatever is set

before me,' Jocelyn replied, smiling
'I am not over-dainty, and shall do ample justice to whatever is set
before me,' Jocelyn replied, smiling.

Not far had he gone, however, before he realized that unless he could

make greater speed, his pursuers would soon overtake him
Not far had he gone, however, before he realized that unless he could
make greater speed, his pursuers would soon overtake him.

Captain Bonaventure was by no means jealous; and even if he had been, it

would have mattered little, since he was so constantly away
Captain Bonaventure was by no means jealous; and even if he had been, it
would have mattered little, since he was so constantly away. Fancying,
therefore, she had some of the privileges of a widow, our lively Dameris
flirted a good deal with the gayest and handsomest of the galliards
frequenting her house. But she knew where to stop; no licence or
indecorum was ever permitted at the Three Cranes; and that is saying a
great deal in favour of the hostess, when the dissolute character of the
age is taken into consideration. Besides this, Cyprien, a stout
well-favoured young Gascon, who filled the posts of drawer and
chamberlain, together with two or three other trencher-scrapers, who
served at table, and waited on the guests, were generally sufficient to
clear the house of any troublesome roysterers. Thus the reputation of
the Three Cranes was unblemished, in spite of the liveliness and
coquetry of its mistress; and in spite, also, of the malicious tongues
of rival tavern-keepers, which were loud against it. A pretty woman is
sure to have enemies and calumniators, and Madame Bonaventure had more
than enow; but she thought very little about them.

The man gave one loud and fearful yell, and dashed himself on the

floor at his mother"s feet, an appalling picture of remorse
The man gave one loud and fearful yell, and dashed himself on the
floor at his mother"s feet, an appalling picture of remorse. The scene,
indeed, was a terrible one. He rolled himself about, tore his hair, and
displayed every symptom of a man in a paroxysm of madness. But among
those present, with the exception of the mother and son, there was not
such a picture of distress and sorrow, as the wife of the Dead Boxer.
She stooped down to raise the stranger up; 'Unhappy man,' said she,
'look up, I am your sister!'

'Am I to understand then, that you mean to impede me in the lawful

execution of my purposes, gentlemen?' Sir Giles demanded
'Am I to understand then, that you mean to impede me in the lawful
execution of my purposes, gentlemen?' Sir Giles demanded.

'She does what your lordship wills her, it is clear,' said Lady Lake,

contemptuously
'She does what your lordship wills her, it is clear,' said Lady Lake,
contemptuously. 'We know what construction to put upon your refusal.'

'You see, it"s this way: I"m going out West, and I haven"t got much

money, and I"m afraid I"ll spend too much, because I don"t just know how
much it will take
'You see, it"s this way: I"m going out West, and I haven"t got much
money, and I"m afraid I"ll spend too much, because I don"t just know how
much it will take.'

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

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

'You shall rue this, villain!--you shall rue it bitterly,' Sir Francis

cried, shaking his clenched hands at him
'You shall rue this, villain!--you shall rue it bitterly,' Sir Francis
cried, shaking his clenched hands at him. 'Your father perished like a
dog in the Fleet, and you shall perish there likewise. You have put
yourself wholly in my power, and I will make a fearful example of you.
You have dared to utter scandalous and contemptuous language against the
great and high court of Star-Chamber, before the decrees of which, all
men bow; impugning its justice and denying its authority; and you shall
feel the full weight of its displeasure. I call upon these worthy
gentlemen to testify against you.'

'"T is easily explained, chuck,' Lord Roos rejoined

'"T is easily explained, chuck,' Lord Roos rejoined. 'Anxious, no doubt,
to set herself off to advantage, she hath made free with the countess"s
wardrobe. Your own favourite attendant, Sarah Swarton, hath often
arranged herself in your finest fardingales, kirtlets, and busk-points,
as Diego will tell you. Is it not so, rascal?'

Turning their backs, so Bob could not see exactly what they were doing,

the brakemen opened a cupboard and took out some things which they
slipped into the pockets of their jumpers
Turning their backs, so Bob could not see exactly what they were doing,
the brakemen opened a cupboard and took out some things which they
slipped into the pockets of their jumpers.

'Don"t let that fellow worry you

'Don"t let that fellow worry you. I"ve known Len Dardus for years. He"s
as crooked as they make them, and he never had an honest man work for
him that I know of.'

'Don"t stand there like a gawk! You"ve delayed my deliveries long

enough
'Don"t stand there like a gawk! You"ve delayed my deliveries long
enough. Take those two baskets,' and he pointed to two bulging packages
resting on the counter, 'and deliver them. On your way back, as you
will pass the police station, you can stop in and get the basket you
left. But I"ll make you pay for the groceries just the same. It will be
a good lesson for you.'

In a few minutes Bob noticed the brakeman come into the car and stare at

him
In a few minutes Bob noticed the brakeman come into the car and stare at
him. But he did not know that the man had done so in obedience to the
order of the conductor, who had told the trainman to take a look at Bob,
and then to take care that the boy did not try to leave the train until
the matter of the pass had been properly cleared up.

And she would have moved towards the door, if Lord Roos had not caught

hold of her arm, while at the same time he drew his sword
And she would have moved towards the door, if Lord Roos had not caught
hold of her arm, while at the same time he drew his sword. Thinking from
his fierce looks and menacing gestures that her mother might be
sacrificed to his fury, Lady Roos fell on her knees before him,
imploring pity; and she continued in this supplicating posture till Lady
Lake angrily bade her rise.

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

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

Lady Lake submitted without resistance to the constraint imposed upon

her
Lady Lake submitted without resistance to the constraint imposed upon
her. She could not well do otherwise; for though her screams would have
brought aid, it might have arrived too late. And, after all, she did not
intend to settle matters in this way. But she betrayed no symptoms of
fear, and, as we have stated, ordered her daughter to discontinue her
supplications.

'Out, insolent fellow!' cried Sir Giles; 'thou wilt alter thy tune when

thou art scourged at the cart"s-tail
'Out, insolent fellow!' cried Sir Giles; 'thou wilt alter thy tune when
thou art scourged at the cart"s-tail.'

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

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

'My chances in the latter respect are not very great,' he said, 'seeing

I have no powerful friends to aid me in my endeavours, and I must
consequently trust to fortune
'My chances in the latter respect are not very great,' he said, 'seeing
I have no powerful friends to aid me in my endeavours, and I must
consequently trust to fortune. But as regards my enemies, if I can only
win an audience of the King, and plead my cause before him, I do not
think he will deny me justice.'

Meanwhile another person approached the young man

Meanwhile another person approached the young man. This was the friendly
stranger in the furred gown and flat cap, who had sat next him at
dinner, and who, it appeared, was not willing to abandon him in his
difficulties. Addressing him with much kindness, the worthy personage
informed him that he was a bookseller, named John Wolfe, and carried on
business at the sign of the Bible and Crown in Paul"s Churchyard, where
he should be glad to see the young man, whenever he was free to call
upon him.

'As to gratitude on the part of the citizens, I can"t say much for

that, Sir
'As to gratitude on the part of the citizens, I can"t say much for
that, Sir. And it is not every man that meets with his desserts, or we
know where our friends Sir Giles Mompesson and Sir Francis Mitchell
would be. The good cits are content to drink the pure water of the New
River, without bestowing a thought on him who has brought it to their
doors. Meantime, the work has well-nigh beggared Sir Hugh Myddleton, and
he is likely to obtain little recompense beyond what the consciousness
of his own beneficent act will afford him.'

Let not our readers, however, suppose that young Lamh Laudher"s disgrace

was altogether lost in the wide-spread fame of the Dead Boxer
Let not our readers, however, suppose that young Lamh Laudher"s disgrace
was altogether lost in the wide-spread fame of the Dead Boxer. His high
reputation for generous and manly feeling had given him too strong a
hold upon the hearts of all who know him, to be at once discarded by
them from public conversation as an indifferent person. His conduct
filled them with wonder, it is true; but although the general tone of
feeling respecting the robbery was decidedly in his favor, yet there
still existed among the public, particularly in the faction that was
hostile to him, enough of doubt, openly expressed, to render it a duty
to avoid him; particularly when this formidable suspicion was joined to
the notorious fact of his cowardice in the rencounter with Meehaul Neil.
Both subjects were therefore discussed with probably an equal interest;
but it is quite certain that the rumor of Lamh Laudher"s cowardice would
alone have occasioned him, under the peculiar circumstances which drew
it forth, to be avoided and branded with contumely. There was, in
fact, then in existence among the rival factions in Ireland much of the
military sense of honor which characterizes the British army at this
day; nor is this spirit even yet wholly exploded, from our humble
countrymen. Poor Lamh Laudher was, therefore, an exile from his father"s
house, repulsed and avoided by all who had formerly been intimate with
him.

'The Conde de Gondomar!' mentally ejaculated Jocelyn, who had overheard

what he said
'The Conde de Gondomar!' mentally ejaculated Jocelyn, who had overheard
what he said. 'Why, this is he to whom the ring must be shown. The
opportunity must not be lost.'

While Lord Roos, half distracted, was considering what means he could

adopt for her restoration, a man, with an almost tawny complexion, hair
and eyes to match, and habited in the young nobleman"s livery of crimson
and white, suddenly entered from the ante-chamber
While Lord Roos, half distracted, was considering what means he could
adopt for her restoration, a man, with an almost tawny complexion, hair
and eyes to match, and habited in the young nobleman"s livery of crimson
and white, suddenly entered from the ante-chamber.

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

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

The appearance of this personage was as mysterious as formidable

The appearance of this personage was as mysterious as formidable. The
upper part of his features was concealed by a black mask. His
habiliments were sable; and the colour of his powerful steed was sable
likewise. Boots, cap, cloak, and feather, were all of the same dusky
hue. His frame was strongly built, and besides the caliver he was armed
with sword and poniard. Altogether, he constituted an unpleasant
obstacle in the way.

'What dominion sin has usurped over me!' she mentally ejaculated

'What dominion sin has usurped over me!' she mentally ejaculated. 'I
have lost the power of resisting its further encroachment. I see the
enormity of the offence I am about to commit, and though my soul revolts
at it, I cannot hold back. I am as one on the brink of a precipice, who
beholds the dreadful gulf before him, into which another step must
plunge him, yet is too giddy to retreat, and must needs fall over. Pity
me, kind Heaven! I am utterly helpless without thy aid.'

'I do remember the case, and the share you and Sir Francis had in it,

Sir Giles,' Buckingham rejoined
'I do remember the case, and the share you and Sir Francis had in it,
Sir Giles,' Buckingham rejoined.

'Your life!' exclaimed Hugh Calveley, grasping his arm almost fiercely,

while his eye blazed
'Your life!' exclaimed Hugh Calveley, grasping his arm almost fiercely,
while his eye blazed. 'Consider what you offer.'

While he was gazing with wide-staring eyes at everything about him, a

colored porter entered the car and languidly glanced from one to
another of the occupants, as though making a mental calculation of the
tips he would receive, when his eyes fell on the poorly-clad figure of
Bob, holding his box of lunch on his knees
While he was gazing with wide-staring eyes at everything about him, a
colored porter entered the car and languidly glanced from one to
another of the occupants, as though making a mental calculation of the
tips he would receive, when his eyes fell on the poorly-clad figure of
Bob, holding his box of lunch on his knees.

In the fear that his guardian might follow him to the room and discover

him as he was procuring his money, Bob worked with feverish haste to
lift the board, and so excited was he that it seemed as though he could
never raise it
In the fear that his guardian might follow him to the room and discover
him as he was procuring his money, Bob worked with feverish haste to
lift the board, and so excited was he that it seemed as though he could
never raise it. But at last he did so, secured possession of his
treasures, and then put the board back, just as the grocer called to him
from the doorway:

'Whether there was more than one buck "round, I didn"t know

'Whether there was more than one buck "round, I didn"t know. But I"d no
sooner got to my feet than I found out, for on all sides of me the air
was split with their awful yells.

Arrived at the city, Bob was taken to a room and closely questioned by

the officers, who were soon convinced of the truth of his story
Arrived at the city, Bob was taken to a room and closely questioned by
the officers, who were soon convinced of the truth of his story.

'Truly, your conduct requires explanation,' Jocelyn Mounchensey cried,

in a mocking tone
'Truly, your conduct requires explanation,' Jocelyn Mounchensey cried,
in a mocking tone. 'If I had not been here in London, I should have
judged, from your appearance, and that of your attendants, that a band
of desperate marauders had broken in upon us, and that we must draw our
swords to defend our lives, and save the house from pillage. But after
what you have said, I conclude you to be the sheriff, come with your
followers to execute some writ of attachment; and therefore, however
annoying the presence of such a functionary may be,--however ill-timed
may be your visit, and unmannerly your deportment,--we are bound not to
molest you.'

Proud, indeed, did Bob feel as his hand clasped the smooth handle of the

lever
Proud, indeed, did Bob feel as his hand clasped the smooth handle of the
lever. Never had he expected to run a real, snorting locomotive,
dragging a long line of cars, and the realization that he was actually
controlling the speed, set him a-tingle with delight.

The tone in which the words were uttered was so venomous, that Bob

realized the speaker meant mischief, though he was ignorant of the fact
that in the slang of tramps who beat their way on railroads, 'con'
betokened conductor, and 'blind baggage' the platform of the coach in a
passenger train nearest the engine
The tone in which the words were uttered was so venomous, that Bob
realized the speaker meant mischief, though he was ignorant of the fact
that in the slang of tramps who beat their way on railroads, 'con'
betokened conductor, and 'blind baggage' the platform of the coach in a
passenger train nearest the engine.

'This is a private matter

'This is a private matter. We are obliged to you gentlemen for trying to
stop that boy. But we won"t trouble you to ride farther. We are quite
able to attend to this business ourselves.'

The cavalcade, as we have said, was once more in motion, but before it

had proceeded far, it was again, most unexpectedly, brought to a halt
The cavalcade, as we have said, was once more in motion, but before it
had proceeded far, it was again, most unexpectedly, brought to a halt.

Had it not been for the look of cunning that appeared in his guardian"s

eyes as he uttered these words, which cast such a stigma upon the name
of the boy"s dead father, Bob might have believed him, but he had been
watching his guardian intently
Had it not been for the look of cunning that appeared in his guardian"s
eyes as he uttered these words, which cast such a stigma upon the name
of the boy"s dead father, Bob might have believed him, but he had been
watching his guardian intently. He saw the look of cunning, and instead
of surrendering the letter, he hastily thrust it back into his pocket.

'O, honourable Sir! you may one day recall those words; for which of us

can hold himself free from offence? My father is not guilty in the eyes
of Heaven; or if he be, I am equally culpable, since I ought to have
prevented the commission of the crime
'O, honourable Sir! you may one day recall those words; for which of us
can hold himself free from offence? My father is not guilty in the eyes
of Heaven; or if he be, I am equally culpable, since I ought to have
prevented the commission of the crime. O, I shall never forgive myself
that I did not follow him when he parted from me yesterday!'

Realizing that the turn of affairs was making them appear ridiculous,

the officer who had suggested that Bob be allowed to plead guilty, and
receive a light sentence, if he would divulge the name of the two
swindlers, hurriedly exclaimed:

But he was cut short by the Puritan, who, turning from him

contemptuously, said to his daughter--'Let him depart immediately
But he was cut short by the Puritan, who, turning from him
contemptuously, said to his daughter--'Let him depart immediately.'

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

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

Willing to have the credit of disarming him unaided, and confident in

his own superior strength and skill, Sir Giles signed to his myrmidons
to stand back, while he alone advanced towards the young man
Willing to have the credit of disarming him unaided, and confident in
his own superior strength and skill, Sir Giles signed to his myrmidons
to stand back, while he alone advanced towards the young man. A turn in
his strong wrist would, he imagined, suffice to accomplish his purpose.
But he found out his error the moment he engaged with his opponent. In
dexterity and force the latter was fully his match, while in nimbleness
of body Jocelyn surpassed him. The deadly glances thrown at him by the
young man showed that the animosity of the latter would only be
satisfied with blood. Changing his purpose, therefore, Sir Giles, in
place of attempting to cross his antagonist"s sword, rapidly disengaged
his point, and delivered a stoccata, or in modern terms of fence, a
thrust in carte, over the arm, which was instantly parried. For some
minutes the conflict continued without material success on either side.
Holding his rapier short, with the point towards his adversary"s face,
Jocelyn retreated a few paces at first, but then, charging in turn,
speedily won back his ground. Stoccatas, imbroccatas, drittas,
mandrittas, and riversas were exchanged between them in a manner that
delighted the myrmidons, most of whom were amateurs of sword-play.
Infuriated by the unexpected resistance he encountered, Sir Giles, at
length, resolved to terminate the fight; and, finding his antagonist
constantly upon some sure ward, endeavoured to reach him with a half
incartata; but instantly shifting his body with marvellous dexterity,
Jocelyn struck down the other"s blade, and replied with a straight
thrust, which must infallibly have taken effect, if his rapier had not
been beaten from his grasp by Clement Lanyere at the very moment it
touched his adversary"s breast. At the same time the young man"s arms
were grasped from behind by two of the myrmidons, and he lay at his
enemy"s disposal.

Almost as the lady set foot within the room, which she did after a brief

deliberation, dropping the arras noiselessly behind her, the young man
arose
Almost as the lady set foot within the room, which she did after a brief
deliberation, dropping the arras noiselessly behind her, the young man
arose. Her entrance had not been perceived, so violently was he
agitated. Crushing the letter which had excited him so much between his
fingers, and casting it furiously from him, he gave vent to an
incoherent expression of rage. Though naturally extremely handsome, his
features at this moment were so distorted by passion that they looked
almost hideous. In person he was slight and finely-formed; and the
richness of his attire proclaimed him of rank.