CHAPTER XVI. THE PROSPECT DARKENS.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 341, 9 February 1889, Page 5

CHAPTER XVI. THE PROSPECT DARKENS.

Sir Malcolm, when he had completed his morning's toilet, descended to the main floor of the keep, \vheie, standing at the door of the principal staircase, he heard clearly the notes of wassail, and he could distinguish a few of the louder words that were spoken. His first object was to find out whom Reynard had brought with him to the castle ; and to this end he must seek a member of the household friendly to himself, and who had yet come in close contact with the new-comers. That, however, would not be difficult, as by far the larger portion of the servants were decidedly inclined to sympathise with him rather than with Reynard. The older servants had been devoted to the late baron — loving him as children might love an indulgent parent — and they had known how ill Reynard had requited the good old man for all his benefits. Furthermore, they were well assured that should Reynard assume the place ot master he would discharge and turn away all tnose who had been especially attached to the late lord, and fill their places with men and women of his own stamp. It is doubtful if Reynard knew how tew of the household were in any degree truly friendly towards him. He had for years ruled them through their fear?, holding them in terror of his strong arm ; and he may have taken their prompt obedience to his orders as a sign of willing service. The young knight listened a few seconds to the sounds of revelry. and then turned away. He had taken but a few steps when he saw Sandy Graham, the old steward of the household, going towards the banquet hall with a basket of bottles. Sandy was the very man he wanted — a man of keon wit and penetration, acquainted with all the gentry who had visited the castle during the last twenty year 3, and, moreover, a devoted friend of his own. He ventured to stop him and ask when he could spare a few minutes for conversation. 'Just as soon as I have carried this wine 1 in, Sir Malcolm, I will ba with you.' And he was as good as his word. Ere many minutes had elapsed the twain had found a safe place for conference ; and there our hero asked Sandy if he could tell him who were the chief personages that had come to the castle in Reynard's company. The brigand chief himself could not have

given a moro clear and reliable account of the visitors than did the old steward. He knew them all — knew them personally, and by reputation ; and what he knew he told to the young colonel. The latter listened with interest ; and having, at the end, asked a few questions concerning furtht-r items in the characters and dispositions of the new-comers, he asked if Sandy could inform him what the party intended to do when they had finished their revel. The old man told him he had heard orders given for the preparing of sleeping accommodations for the whole party. Good beds were to be made up in tho chambers of the keep for the gentry and their body servants, I while pallets for the others were made ready in the barracks. And beyond that, assurance was given that the new guests had many of them, if not all, ridden during the greater part of the night, and that they would seek their rest as soon as the feast was concluded. 'Sandy,' said the young soldier, after this, ' I ha\ c a great favour to ask at your hands.' ' Ask what you will, dear Malcolm.' the old man quickly and feelingly returned. ' I will do it if it is in my power.' 'It is this, my dear old friend. Naturally, Reynard and his principal guests will speak more or less of the business they have in hand. In their cups, with the wine flowing freely, their tongues may become loosened. Is their among the servants at the board one whom you would not hesitate to trust — one of whom you would venture to inquire what was spoken by the host, and those who sat near him, concerning the business before them V Sandy's face brightened instantly. He knew just the man — a valet of Baron Altonfeld. He promised that he would, if possible, see and question him. ' And,' he added, ' I will do it before he seeks his rest.' They agreed where they would next meet, and then, while the steward went to caj ry in more wine to the revellers, the colonel sought the boudoir of Lady Blanche, finding her up and dressed, and anxiously awaiting his coming. She had learned of the new arrival, and was in deep trouble in consequence. ' O !' &he exclaimed, 'if we could know what is their purpose! They are bad men — all of them — whom "Reynard has brought hither. They are men whom papa never trusted, and who novei liked him. We shall always believe that it was the Baron Altonfeld, with his follower?, who stole and carried away a large number of fine cows and oxen from papa's heul.' Malcolm told her, in i"eply, that the very thing ho had planned to do was to learn the purpose of these men. 'Of course,' he added, 'we can give a very good guess. As soon as I have learned what they plan to do, I must consult Mr Kirkland. When I left him yesterday, it was with the understanding that if I did not come down to him before noon to-day he would come hither. I think T would rather see him at his office.' Blanche would have preferred that the lawyer should come up to the castle, but she did not press the matter. She was willing her lover should do as he thought best. Half an hour later breakfast was served in Blanche's own room ; and not many minutes had pasfed after the meal had been concluded when Nelly Nichol, in a state of considerable excitement, entered their presence. She had but little to toll, but phe thought Sir Malcolm should know ib. She said she had seen Reynard and Duff Murtagh on their way out from the keep, going towards tho old hedge, and thither she had gone ahead of them. She had been greatly exercised by the concluding vengeful utterance of Bevern, and Blanche was alarmed when she had heard ; but the man against whom the threat had been made professed to believe the man had meant no more than that he would come off conqueror in the end. ' For,' said lie, ' surely Reynard would not dare to use any physical force or restraint. That would prejudice his own cause. And. further, remember that he has been drinking, probably deeply.' And yet, later, when he had reflected a little more seriously and deeply upon Bevern's character — his entire lack of principle, his bold and reckless daring, his innate depravity and wickedness, and his utter disiegard of the sacredness of human life— he was forced to admit that such a man might do anything to which vengeful feeling and wrath shouM move him. He thanked Nelly with deep and earnest feeling for her watchful care and kindness, and hoped she would continue to watch when she had opportunity. He pleased her greatly, and made her very happy when he said : 'Not only have you been of more help to us in the past than we can tell, good Nelly, but we must depend upon you in the future.' He told her further that he might wish to speak with her again during the forenoon, and asked her to be whero he could find her. Not a great while after this our hero met the old steward, who had plenty of information tor him ; and that, too, of importance. He had learned from Fergus Watson, servant of the Lord of Anglehaven, what had been said at the table by the masters, and he gave it to Malcolm very correctly. AA r e have heard it, so we need only say Sandy's version diffeied in no way from the original conversation. The man Watson, greatly disliking Reynard Bevern, had been very attentive, and had brought away with him the matter exactly as he had heard it. Malcolm listened attentively, asking now and then a question, and in the end he had gathered a pretty correct idea of Bevern's plan. It startled him. He did not like to think of it. There were questions of law involved which he did not understand. He must see Kirkland, and confer with him. Of the law as administered in the south, where English custom prevailed in all the courts, he believed he knew something, but of the law and its administration in the wild Highlands he knew literally nothing. But Mr Kirkland knew, and would tell him. 1 You say they have all gone to bed ?' said the colonel, when Sandy's story had been concluded, and he had given all the information under that head he had to give. ' Yes ; and they're all fast asleep long before this. And what is more, Sir Malcolm, they'll sleep it out. My soul i what a quantity of wine these lairds poured down their throats ! and Reynard drank his share, be sure.' • Where is Reynard now ?' ♦ He is abed with the rest of 'em. ' ' Sandy, are you sure of that ?' 1 Why of course I am. He went not fifteen minutes ago ; and I don't think I ever saw him more fagged and sleepy. : But it may have been the drink — though he must have ridden hard, too, considering the places ho visited. Yes, lie's abed, and you may be sure he's pretty sound asleep by this time.' Malcolm required but little time for consideration. If Bevern had sought his couch, weary and well filled with strong drink, he would be sure to sleep for a considerable time. It was Sandy's opinion, based on his experience with the same men, that the whole party would sleep away the greater part of the day : and he did not

hesitate to give the young gentleman hie personal assurance that he would have plenty of time for going to the village and doing any business there awaiting him. He (Malcolm) once more sought Blanche, to whom he imparted his purpose. She gave him a kiss of adieu, and told him she should ascend to the battlements of the great tower, and watch him on his way down the hill. He took with him his lieutenant, Conrad Kilcullen, leaving the others of his troop to be watchful of any movement that might be made ; though the chances were that there would be none. Half way down the declivity the lover turned and saw Lady Blanche, with two other females — probably Bertha and Nelly Nichol — on the summit of the main tower. He waved his plumed cap, and Blanche waved her scarf. Then Conrad waved his cap, without a plume whereupon Bertha and Nelly respondod by waving their ker chiefs. At the inn Malcolm found his men, ( well contented with all save his absence. The landloid had been very kind to them, and they had fallen in love with the homo he had given them. And, on the other hand, old Donald had really fallen in love with them. As a rule, he would rather see a herd of swine enter his hostel than give roof to a company of military men — of common soldier-*. In his experience he had found them, as a class, worse than brutes ; because, to the brutish instinct they added that of the libertine and vandal. But these troopers of Sir Malcolm had proved not only gentlemen, in every sense of the word, but they had behaved like friends and bi other?, having been kindly and helpful, and ready at anyand all times to preserve order among other guests who might be inclined to disorder. From the host our hero learned that a courtier, who had passed through the villago on the evening before, had brought word that quite a large body of armed men — cavalry — were al Kenmore, and, he thought, bound for the Highlands. If they were his men they might now arrive at any time. Having had his horse stabled, and leaving his lieutenant to keep company with his men, Malcolm repahed to the oifice ot the old lawyer, whom he found alone and ready for him. That is, he had refused two or three calls in expectation of this meeting. ' Aha ! I see intelligence in your face, my dear Malcolm !' crieH the attorney, when the visitor had closed the door behind him and faced about. ' Plenty of it, as you shall hear, 1 returned the colonel. And thereupon he took a seat and began his story. He told of the return of Reynard Beverrc, and of the company he had brought with him ; of the wassail, and of their subsequent going to bed ; and thpn very carefully and particularly, he told of the report which the valet of Baron Altonrield had made to Sandy Graham, repeating it word for word. The face of the lawyer underwent many changes during the recital ; he asked several questions ; and in the end his face gave ample token of great montal trouble. His first remark, after taking two or three turns to and fro across the office, with his head bent, and his hands clasped behind him, was very simple and very significant. 'Malcolm 1 ' stopping and facing his client ' we mu*t find Uiat will i' The young soldier was startled, and for a little time thoughts surged through his mind without point and without connection, bub by and by he controlled himself, and was able to think more clearly. ' My dear friend and counsellor,' he said, looking up with a faint smile, ' I can mosc painfully realise that fact ; and can I say I do firmly believe that will is yet to fee the light of day and be restored to us. But,' here the cloud on his handsome face grew heavier and more gloomsome, ' Heaven only knows when it will be. 1 ' Ay, there it is !' groaned the lawyer. ' While we are waiting for the appearance of that missing instrument I shall be forced to surrender this which I now hold ; and wo may — we surely shall — have much to contend with.' 'Mr Kirkland, will you explain to me what those men can do? I am entirely uni'ead in the mysteries of your Highland law. I suppose those three gentlemen are all justices ?' * Yes, and justices with much power. I will explain to you.' Here the lawyer drew a chair near to his visitor, and sat down. 'In the time of the First Malcolm, many years ago, the landed proprietors of the North of Scotland, holding fiefs from the crown, and maintaining a given number of retainers capable of bearing arms — barons they called themselves ; and some of them in truth were such, while others were but simple lairds, with no proper title of nobility whatever, unless we may give them the credit of having been knights. But, let them have been what they might, they held a grand convocntion at Inverness, and there and then, formed what they called The High Court of Barons ; and among the edicts which they laid down and put on record was one to Lho effect that three of the barons of that court, in good and honourable standing, should have power to open and hold a court for the trial of any crime, or any cause whatever, saving only that of high treason. They were wise enough to leave that out of and beyond their jurisdiction. And that High Court of Barons exists to-day, as it did in the^ day of its founders. 'In later times many efforts have been made to break it up, or at least-, to curtail its power and authority — to modify the system — but without avail. More than one king has sought to bring these barons to a realising sense of the wrong they were doing in thus usurping powers that belonged, by every principle of right and justice, to men skilled in law — to able and responsible jurists. Edgar was the monarch who put foi th the strongest effort. But it all ended in failure. The Highland lairds and chiefs, when they saw their darling privilege in danger, threatened instant rebellion ; and the king and his court, considering that the Highlanders themsehes were alone concerned, concluded to let the matter drop, and they did so. And, on the whole, the thing might be worse. It is in exceptional cases where the evil is most glaring.' ' Like this of yours, for instance,' suggested Malcolm, sententiously. 'Exactly — like this of ours,' repeated the lawyer. ' And that brings me to the point at issue. These three men, Sir John Kilray, Baron Altonfeld, and Lord Jamie Lavvton, are Justices of that High Court; and they have ample power and authority to open a court for the trial of any cause that may be brought before them. There j is, of course, a form of appeal, but ! it is an appeal, not to a higher court, bub only to a greator number of the same sort of justices— generally of five ; sometimes of seven, They must be composed of an odd number, because a majority rules a verdict. These three men have that power, and they are friends of Reynard. Moreover, they have with them an attorney, Will Macomber, as unscrupulous as man can be ; ready to seize an advantage, and quick to discover it.' 'Of course, 5 said the anxious youth, 'if the missing will could be found, no amount of prejudice or partiality on no- j

count of friendship could lead them to ignore it?' 1 Bless you, no !' answered the o'd attorney, quickly and emphatically. 'Such a proceeding as that would be a deathblow to Lheir High Court ; and they know it No, no ; let us find bhe will, and we are all right. But, ah ! where, where id it?' Malcolm looked up, sad and woful. He knew not what to say. Presently the lawyer added : 'My dear boy, don't lose heart. Go back to the castle, and wait for the commencement of hostilities. Of cour&e, they will do nothing to-day. If they wake up before nisrht, they will be sure to wake up thirsty ; and it is easy to see how such men will spend tho evening. On the morning following that we may look for them to show their hand ; and then — we must do the best we cat).' k Mr Kirkland, you will not fail to be there. Should you be absent, 1 should — ' ' Tut ! tut ! You forget, dear boy, that the o'her side will require my presence before you can need it. Remember, I have in my possession the will on which your rival bases his cause.' Thus assured ot the attorney's timely presence at the castle, our hero had but few more questions to ask ; and they only for the purpose of making more clear points already considered. On his return to the inn he sought his faithful old sergeant, Jerry Dowd, and called his attention particularly to the matter of the eignala from the summit of the gieat tower. Said he : ' Jerry, something tells me I shall want your assistance. My enemies at the castle are strong and unscrupulous. Remember she black siyita l . That means danger — and your full force.' 'Tru-fc me, Colonel. No s-ignal shall be made from that tower, between the break of day and darkness, that is not known to me instantly. I needn't promi&e you how quickly I will obey it '' ( To be Continued. )