led sounds died away in the distance. John Stich had not re

ide, and was pacing the rough earthen f

teeth, "tracked like some wild beast! perhaps

disappointment. It had come to this then! His name among

quietly, "not while John Stich o

ession on his face: with a boyish gesture he threw back the fair hair which fell in curly profusion over

voice shook a little as he spoke, "and to th

urly figure to its full height, "don't talk of reward

st, kind, simple-hearted John! he loved those to whom he owed everyt

e cottage and forge at the cross-roads, and honest Stich felt that as everything that was good in

ung man, "that it is your life

l such a horr

boyish, curly head, which have been the characteristics of the Gascoynes for many generations. He has also succeeded in indicating the sensitiveness of the mouth, that somewhat feminine turn of the lips, that all too-rounded curve of the chin and jaw, which per

ynes suffered and died for Charles Stuart but a hundred years ago? Why the change? Why this alleg

and political questions involved in the upholding of this foreign dynasty. Perhaps he did not understand them altogether himself. The family motto is "Pour le Roi." So the Gascoynes foug

hearts where'er he went. Philip was young, his father's discipline was irksome, he had some friends among the Highland lords: and

old enthusiasm remained half forgotten. As a peer of the realm he had registered his allegiance to King George, and with his youthful romantic nature a

and French influence, would march upon London and would stop at

fairy who at his birth had given him that weak mouth and softly rounded chin, had stamped his worst characteristic on the young handsome face. Philip's one hope at this juncture

He wished to put miles of country between himself and the possible breaking of that oath, the possible yielding to the "bonnie Prince" whom none could

disappointed army; finally Culloden and complete disaster; King George's soldiers scouri

ry way from Derby Prince Charles Edward had asked and obtained a night's shelter at Stretton Hall. When Philip tried to communicate

the list of rebels was still a mystery to him: someone must have lodged sworn information against him. Bu

might be cleared, all would be well, but for the moment he was like a wild beast, hiding in hedges and dit

y to rouse himself from his morbid reverie. At intervals

ister, John?-You a

would repeat a do

te sure,

s visit Philip's mood h

"has Patience had my let

ath, and with burning eyes look out across the wilderness of furze and bracken towar

he door, it isn't safe, not really sa

took my letter to Stretton Hall?" s

lord

ho has lost his way ... or

not sworn that your letter went by h

ish to know," he added with that sudden look of command w

retainer for his lord was strong

a sigh, "I'll tell you, though Heaven knows that his sa

t?" asked the yo

for Lady Patience to Beau

him of speech for a few seconds, but the next he had gripped the smith

... My life, my honour to a highwayman

arlessly in the face. "You don't know Beau Brocade, and there are no safer han

Philip's wrath abated somewhat; still he seemed dazed, n

an!" he repeate

gentleman if ever there was one! Aye! and not the only one who h

who might sell my letter,

would die in torture

eemed to chase away the last vestige of Ph

, this highwayman of you

hed the back of hi

now that Beau Brocade is a friend of the poor, and that our village lads won't lay their hands on him, ev

igh. "But," he added, with a sudden return to feverish anxiety

lord! Besides, I know he wasn't caught. I saw him on his chestnut horse just before the Corporal came. I heard him laughing, at

"I could do nothing for your lordship single-handed, and you wanted that letter to reach her ladyship. I scarce

sighed

riend, and be grateful to you both: have no fear of that! Who am I but

only become voluble when speaking of his friend. Philip tried to look cheerful and convinced,

t every sound, every strange footstep, made his nerves quiver with morbid apprehension, and even n