Part 28 (1/2)
Before Hogan could rise, the door was flung wide, and a tall, gaunt man was hustled across the threshold by two soldiers His head was bare, and his hair wet and dishevelled His doublet was torn and his shoulder bleeding, whilst his e like a laht him, captain,” one of thecuckolds, you've brought rowled Sir Crispin, whose eyes rolled fiercely
As his angry glance lighted upon Hogan's impressive face, he abruptly stemmed the flow of invective that rushed to his lips
The Irishman rose, and looked past him at the troopers ”Leave us,” he co by the hearth until the footsteps of his men had died away, then he crossed the chamber, passed Crispin without a word, and quietly locked the door That done, he turned a friendly s out his hand:
”At last, Cris, it is mine to thank you and to repay you in soht at Penrith”
CHAPTER XXI THE MESSAGE KENNETH BORE
In bewilderment Crispin took the outstretched hand of his old fellow-roysterer
”Oddslife,” he growled, ”if to have ed fros, your ratitude, I'd as lief you had let o unthanked”
”And yet, Cris, I dare swear you'll thank h,waters yonder--”
Then, without coan had seized the black jack and poured half a glass of its contents, which he handed Crispin
”Drink,loath, obeyed hian drew the torn and sodden doublet frouest's back, pushed a chair over to the table, and bade hi loath, Crispin did as he was bidden He was stiff froh of satisfaction he settled hian slowly took the seat opposite to hihed He was at a loss how to open the parlous subject, how to co news upon which he had stuhed Crispin dreaht it was to you those crop-ears carried ht, indeed, ever to see you again But you have prospered, you knave, since that night you left Penrith”
And he turned his head the better to survey the Irishan assented ”My life is a sort of parable of the fatted son and the prodigal calf They tell reater joy in heaven over the repentance of a sinner than--than--Plague on it!
How does it go?”
”Than over the downfall of a saint?” suggested Crispin
”I'll swear that's not the text, but any of my troopers could quote it you; every man of them is an incarnate Church hed softly Then abruptly: ”And so you were riding to London?” said he
”Ho you that?”
”Faith, I know more--much more I can even tell you to what house you rode, and on what errand You were for the sign of the Anchor in Thames Street, for news of your son, whom Joseph Ashburn hath told you lives”
Crispin sat bolt upright, a look of led wonder and suspicion on his face
”You are well inforentlemen of the Parliament,” he said
”On the matter of your errand,” the Irishman returned quietly, ”I am much better inforn of the Anchor--not whom you have been told lives there, but who really does occupy the house?” Hogan paused a second as though awaiting some reply; then softly he answered his own question: ”Colonel Pride”
And he sat back to await results