Part 10 (1/2)

With a report that rang through the room like a pistol shot, it broke off in its socket Both , with straining ears The sentry had stopped at their door

Galliard was a man of quick action, swift to think, and as swift to execute the thought To thrust Kenneth into a corner, to extinguish the light, and to fling himself upon the bed was all the work of an instant

The key grated in the lock, and Crispin answered it with a resounding snore The door opened, and on the threshold stood the Roundhead trooper, holding aloft a lanthorn whose rays were flashed back by his polished cuirass He beheld Crispin on the bed with closed eyes and openand melodious snore He saw Kenneth seated peacefully upon the floor, with his back against the wall, and for a ht?” he asked

”Aye,” answered Kenneth, in a strangled voice, ”I heard soesture hich he accompanied the words was fatal Instinctively he had jerked his thu the soldier's eyes in that direction The fellow's glance fell upon the twisted bar, and a sharp exclaht but a fool he uessed it, he ht twice ere he ventured within reach of aclod, and so far, thought had not yet taken the place of surprise He stepped into, the chaht more closely view that broken bar

With eyes that were full of terror and despair, Kenneth watched him; their last hope had failed thereat leap from his recumbent position on the bed, Crispin had fallen upon the soldier

The lanthorn was dashed from the fellow's hand, and rolled to Kenneth's feet The fellow had begun' a cry, which broke off suddenly into a gurgle as Galliard's fingers closed about his windpipe He was a big fellow, and in his les he carried: Crispin hither and thither about the rooainst the table, which would have: gone crashi+ng over had not Kenneth caught it and drawn it softly to the wall

Both uessed the soldier's intent to fling hiht be heard, and perchance bring others to his aid To avoid this, Galliard had swung him towards the bed, and hurled him on to it There he pinned hiripped the Roundhead's throat, pressing the apple inwards with his thumb

”The door, Kenneth!” he commanded, in a whisper ”Close the door!”

Vain were the trooper's struggles to free hirew his face was purple; his veins stood out in ropes upon his brow till they see; his eyes protruded like a lobster's and there was a horrible grin upon his led With his fingers he pluckedhands on his neck, and tore at them with his nails until the blood streamed from them Still Galliard held him firmly, and with a sled wretch--he gazed upon his choking victiasped Kenneth suddenly ”So his hands in a frenzy

Galliard listened Steps were approaching The soldier heard them also, and renewed his efforts Then Crispin spoke

”Why stand you there like a fool?” he growled ”Quench the light--stay, we may want it! Cast your cloak over it! Quick, man, quick!”

The steps came nearer The lad had obeyed him, and they were in darkness

”Stand by the door,” whispered Crispin ”Fall upon him as he enters, and see that no cry escapes him Take hiet away”

The footsteps halted Kenneth crawled softly to his post The soldier's struggles grew of a sudden still, and Crispin released his throat at last Then caler, he felt for the straps of his cuirass, and these he proceeded to cut As he did so the door was opened

By the light of the lae they beheld silhouetted upon the threshold a black figure crowned by a steeple hat Then the droning voice of the Puritan reeted them

”Your hour is at hand!” he announced

”Is it time?” asked Galliard from the bed And as he put the question he softly thrust aside the trooper's breastplate, and set his hand to the fellow's heart It still beat faintly

”In another hour they will come for you,” answered the minister And Crispin marvelled anxiously what Kenneth was about ”Repent then, miserable sinners, whilst yet--”