Part 14 (1/2)

”Oh, what if--what if--what if!” cried Joseph testily ”Gregory, what a casuist you ht have been had not natureofyour question back--what if?”

”God only knows”

”Then leave it to Hilass

”Nay, brother, 'twere too great a risk I must and I will knohether Kenneth were slain or not If he is a prisoner, then we ue take it,” Joseph burst out ”Why all this ado? Why did you ever loose that graceless whelp frohed with an air of resigned patience

”I have more reasons than one,” he answered slowly ”If you need that I recite them to you, I pity your wits Look you, Joseph, you have more influence with Cromwell; more--far more--than have I, and if you are minded to do so, you can serve o to Cromwell, at Windsor or wherever he may be, and seek to learn from him if Kenneth is a prisoner If he is not, then clearly he is dead”

Joseph esture of impatience

”Can you not leave Fate alone?”

”Think you I have no conscience, Joseph?” cried the other with sudden vigour

”Pish!+ you are womanish”

”Nay, Joseph, I am old I am in the autumn of my days, and I would see these ted before I die”

”And are da, maudlin' craven,” added Joseph ”Pah!

Youwhich the brothers eyed each other, Gregory with a sternness before which Joseph's th to fall

”Joseph, you shall go to the Lord General”

”Well,” said Joseph weakly, ”ill say that I go But if Kenneth be a prisoner, what then?”

”Youhis liberty from Cromwell He will not refuse you”

”Will he not? I am none so confident”

”But you can make the attee of what has befallen the boy”

”The which definite knowledge seeory, bethink you; there has been a change, and the wind carries an edge that will arouse every devil of rheu at this season is no sory approached the table, and leaning his hand upon it: