Part 1 (2/2)
”Open, Cris! Open, for the love of God!”
Sir Crispin's ballad broke off short, whilst the lad paused in the act of quitting the room, and turned to look to him for direction
”Well, my master,” quoth Galliard, ”for what do you wait?”
”To learn your wishes, sir,” was the answer sullenly delivered
”My wishes! Rat !
Open, fool!”
Thus rudely enjoined, the lad lifted the latch and set wide the door, which opened ihly cladhard, and fear rit large upon his rugged face An instant he paused to close the door after hi to Galliard, who had risen and who stood eyeing him in astonishment--
”Hidehis Irish origin ”My God, hide an! What is toward? Has Cromwell overtaken us?”
”Cromwell, quotha? Would to Heaven 'twere no worse! I've killed a man!”
”If he's dead, why run?”
The Irishomery's foot is on my heels They've raised the whole of Penrith over the affair, and if I'ivewill serve o at Kendal Mother of Mercy!” he broke off, as his ear caught the clatter of feet and the murmur of voices from without ”Have you a hole I can creep into?”
”Up those stairs and into my room with you!” said Crispin shortly ”I will try to head them off Come, man, stir yourself; they are here”
Then, as with nian obeyed him and slipped from the room, he turned to the lad, who had been a silent spectator of what had passed Froreasy playing cards
”To table,” he said laconically
But the boy, coht of those cards as one an ”I'll not defile--”
”To table, fool!” thundered Crispin, with a vehemence few men could have withstood ”Is this a time for Presbyterian scruples? To table, and help aGod, I'll--” Without co his threat he leaned forward until Kenneth felt his hot, wine-laden breath upon his cheek Cowed by his words, his gesture, and above all, his glance, the lad drew up a chair,in explanation--intended as an excuse to himself for his weakness--that he submitted since a man's life was at stake
Opposite hi s a portion of them to the boy, whilst those he retained he spread fanwise in his hand as if about to play Silently Kenneth copied his actions
Nearer and louder grew the sounds of the approach, lights flashed before the , and the twoto play, sat on and waited
”Have a care, Master Stewart,” growled Crispin sourly, then in a louder voice--for his quick eye had caught a glimpse of a face that watched the of Spades!” he cried, withlook
A bloas struck upon the door, and with it ca's name!” Softly Sir Crispin rapped out an oath Then he rose, and with a last look of warning to Kenneth, he went to open
And as he had greeted Hogan he now greeted the crowd ed about the threshold
”Sirs, why this ado? Hath the Sultan Oliver descended upon us?”
In one hand he still held his cards, the other he rested upon the edge of the open door It was a young ensign who stood forward to answer him