A ROYAL WARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 395, 21 May 1910, Page 9

A ROYAL WARD.

By PERCY BREBNER.

ABBOTS CHASE OX FIRE. {Published by arrangement with Cassell and Company, Ltd., publishers, of London and Melbourne, the proprietors of the Copyright).

CHAPTER XXIX. (continued)

Finley Baxter had never prided him- j , self upon his advice, and, to do him jus- . tice, it was often far better than he a-p- ; peared to think; but to-day he, too, was a lover, had been living in the eager, happy present with small 'remembrance ; of the past, and little thought of the future; it was difficult to give valuable ; advice suddenly. He had barely got beyond a review of the facts as they ail knew them, when Deborah, standing in one of the windows, interrupted him. "Someone is coming across the park yonder —a man, riding." "Riding furiously, too," said Dubuishon, as they all went to look out. "Sir Rupert Ashton!" Betty exclaimed, as the rider came on apace. "And he looks, strangely as if lie were doing his best to escape from someone." "Are we to shelter him, Victor?" Betty asked eagerly. "If the answer rests with me—yes, let him come." "I never expected to find myself so good a Samaritan," said Baxter. "Remember he is a liar." Lady Betty looked at Victor doubtfully. Baxter's words seemed impressive. "I should like to know 'how much of a liar he is," said Dubuisson. "He may not attempt to come to the house; let us wait and see."' "When in doubt; let chance decide. It's one way out of a difficulty, but hot always a wise one." "Then advise, Finley," said Mary. "Advice is asked for." "My dear, I'm first and foremost a man of action. Left to myself, I should probably shoot the gentleman on sight." Sir Rupert had ridden straight for the stables. "Look after the mare," he said to a groom. "I shall want her again in a few minutes," walking into the servants' quarters, he demanded admittance to their mistress at once. The servants hesitated. "Come," blockhead," he said, catching a dumbfounded footman by the arm in a grip which made the man wince. "Shoiw me where Lady Betty is." "She is engaged, air," said the man. ' as he was thrust forward. "Never mind, she will see me." The man took him to the room, and was pushed aside before he could open the door. Sir Rupert entered alone. He paused for an instant on' the threshold, evidently surprised to find Victor Dubuisson there. Then he bowed. "The flight is explained," he said. "But not your coming to this house," said Dubuisson. "And there are many other things to explain besides, Sir Rupert —the broken cross amongst them." "Many things—a thousand things," he answered; "but there is no time for explanation now. Lady Betty " "Do you come here as a fugitive?" she asked, interrupting him with quiet dignity. Her manner was a strange contrast to his. "Yes—in a sense. What does it matter how I come, so that you listen, and do what I say? The mob are out of hand. Yoiu saw something of the temper'these men were in yesterday; barely was I iaible to control them. To-dav, I am unable to do so. Soldiers are being pressed forward into Devon, and the mob Is furious. I am blamed and dis-: credited. The lust for plunder and destruction is rampant. The mob is coming here. I 'have ridden to warn you. You must fly, Lady Betty—at once. There is no time to lose. In a creek—"

"A curious story, Sir Rupert," said Dubuisson. "Lady Betty is loved about Abbots Chase." "Was! Was! Time is all changed. Join your persuasion to mine, man. Time is short." "Your word is not sufficient, Sir Rupert," said Dubuisson. "In a creek, easily reached from here —Dubuisson knows it, he landed there once—there is a boat waiting," said Sir Rupert to Lady Betty. "It is ready to slip out to sea at a moment's notice. Give the man this ring. His name is Hyde." "Aye, we iknow ihim, and not too favorably," said Baxter. "Tell him to sail at once, 1 Sir Rupert went on, taking no notice of the interruption. "Say that I (have foiind another way of escape—a better way; that he is not to wait. Urge 'her, Dubuisson," he went on, turning to him almost fiercely. "On my oath, it is your only chance of escape. In an hour it will "be too late." "I shall not leave Abbots Chase," said Lady Betty. "I believe my safety lies here rather than in taking your advice, Sir Rupert." "Maike her go, Dubuisson. In an hour t you -will be cursing yourself if tou do not." "My opinion is the same as Lady Betty's,' Dubuisson answered. "I have found you out in so many lies. In everything you have been treacherous to me, and to her; this is another move in your own game. It comes too late. Our eyes are opened to your true character." "True, true. I have played my own game and lost dt," he said desperately. "I am trying to make amends. Must 1 confess before you ■will consent to save your lives'? I have told you lies, hundreds of them, but what I said of mvielf was true. That I made your father a .partner in my misery was false, i never knew your father. The Court, Society, the whole rottenness of ffliyn imade a devil of me years ago. What I told you of the woman I loved was tnue. My hand was "turned against the world, the world I knew, the world of fashion! I became a rebel, a spy, anything that would' serve my purpose to injure those in authority. The outcast, tlie lawloss. found a friend in me, only that I might serve my own ends. I wias smuggler, highwayman, the friend of cut-throats, a fosterer of every plot imaginable. Any man who might serve me, however unconsciously, could have my friendship. The greater 'hold I could get upon him the better, so at some critical moment I might force his obedience. Such a man were you. I knew of your coming, but not 'wihy you came. I 'heard of the attack that night upon the beach. 1 helped, directed the rescue of the captured smugglers. They found a refuge in my house at Kings wear. Then°l watched for you, and saw you .part from Lady Betty. You should be useful' to me. I heard something of your mission from your own lips. I sent you to the Brazeij Serpent; you would be amongst men who for the most i part we're my own creatures. It was 1 who planned your'capture after I had your rooms in King street searched. I wanted to find out more about you. I did. I found that broken silver cross, and remembered thiat I had the otlher half thrown

away somewhere in my house." I ""You had stopped my father and rob- I bed him on the highway," said Lady Bctty, quietly. "No. not 1; othersi did that, hut when I heard of it I gave the robbers 1 something for their spoil, the worthless part, the papers and this cross amongst them." said Sir llupert, turning to her for a moment. " L hated the Earl. Then, Dubuissmi, I made nip the story of your mother. Why? To inflame you. Unconsciously you helped me to make it circumstantial, it 'was a story no worse thian the true one, the one of the woman I loved. Your fury was aroused. Revenge was in your heart. Just then you were of the stuff of which assassins are made." "That is true," said Dubuisson, quietly. ''You were nothing to me, a tool to be used. If you will have the truth you shall 'have it a'H," Sir Rupert went on, rapidly and eagerly. "You hated

the Prince, so did I. The sight of him, fawmed upon, praised, cheered, a god amongst men, might madden you. A J hired, a persuaded- assassin might falter, a man with the lust of hate in his heart would not. If yoiu had shot him, 11 should have rejoiced. You did not, and I the man who had the courage to slioot could not fire straight. A trick in the game was lost, hut the game was not over. -The woman you loved was safe; alter that, and what would your iury he? You would isuspeet that Evertsen had abducted her; with my story still ringing in your ears you must place the worst construction on such a flight. Even now I can hardly understand why you did not enter Cairlton House that night and rid the world of your enemy." "What horrible treachery!" Betty ex-

climed. "There would be no regret, but for you, Lady Betty," said Sir Rupert. "Let me finish, and- quickly. Devon was ripe for rebellion. There would be plunder and destruction. When I gave the word rebellion should break out. A revolution such as France has known it might be. The House of Hanover swept awav, ( Society's rottenness blotted out. There w-ais this madness' 'in my dreams. And with great things, small ones, small revenges satisfied. I hated your father, you were your father's daughter, I hated j you. In the past he scorned me, and for the very virtues he had I hated him. > Abbots Chase should fall. I hated you, there was no reason but that you were Scarfield's daughter—but in Devon, here for miles round you were loved and honored. I would change that. You wasted in London while in Devon men and women starved. It is easy to make a mob believe. It does believe. It has risen before my word was given. Waiting men have grown tired of waiting. All mv schemes are ruined, but some of my work remains. I said plunder Abbotb Chase, despite its mistress. To-day I have tried to stop them, but they win not stop. Do you understand They are coming here hot-footed, lust and hatred in their hearts." "Devil's work," said Baxter. "Go, Lady Betty!" Sir Rupert cried. "Take this ring and go." "I shall stay," she said, quietly. "For heaven's saike, make her go," he said, turning to Dubuisson.

"Look!" Mary cried, from the window, "they are coming!" Men were breaking from the -woods ami running across the .park. "Even now there is time," and in 'his desperation Sir Rupert caught Betty's hand. "Along the plantation that runs from the stables to the road. Go! Go!" "If cihance is to favor us, it must come quickly," said Baxter. "Betty." Dubuisson was very .pale as he spoke her name. In this moment of ■peril he would have her go. "I shall stay," she said firmly. There was the sound of shattering glass and 'heavy strokes upon the front door. The mob was yet some distance from tlie rear of the house; it was already in front. "God help us, you must stay now," said Sir Rupert. The terrified servants came crowding into the tell from their quarters. They rushed into the room to tell their mistress.

"Hurry and close all the shutters!" said Deborah. "Abbots Chase has stood a siege before; it can again." Betty did not speak. She walked quietly from the room and across the tail.

"What are you going to do?" said Dubuisson. "Speak to them." "You miust not, dearest." "It is madness!" cried Sir Rupert. "What lies have done, the truth may undo. I trust the men of Devon. Open the door for me, Victor," Was it possible that her splendid courage could save the situation? Baiter sprang forward to her side. So .did Sir Rupert. Dubuisson flung open the door. There was a. rush to enter, but crowd was not very thick before the door. The three men .successfully prevented anyone from crossing the threshold.

"You want Lady Betty Walmisley? I am here." The crowd surged backwards, leaving a apace before t'he girl. So much iher courage could do. "I see Harrison, the miller's man, yonder, and Jarvis, and Forbes, and many others, too, who are old friends of mine. Wtot do you want with me? I have ■been told that you hate Lady Betty of Abbots Chiase. Devon lads, it isn't true, is it?"

She flung out iher arms to them in a 'Splendidly eloquent appeal. For an instant it seemed that she 'had won. Could' the whole crowd have seen and heard her clearly, perhaps she. would have done, but someone behind Shouted an obscene oath, another cried that -they'd "got that devil, Rupert Ash ton"—and a stone wias flung. As Bubuisson caught her and dragged iher hack into the house the Tush came. The first men to reach the threshold: were hurled hack by Sir Rupert and Baxter, and they succeeded in closing the door and barring it. But Lady Betty 'had failed to save Afobote Chase.

CHAPTER XXX. SMUGGLER'S LEAP. Dubuisson had thrust Betty behind •him and stood with his face to the door, every muscle in his body taoxt, ready for the attack which must instantly come. He did not move even when the great -bolts had been shot (home. No one spoke for a space, a few seconds only, yet it seemed a long silence. "The istatters!" said Deborah, 'almost as if she would emphasise the fact that hers had been the best advice, although no notice had been taken before. Now the servants, who had stood in a frightened grouip iat the back of the hall, moved quickly. Their own safety depended on their doing something. They rushed into the rooms that faced the front of the .house and succeeded in closing some of the heavy shutters and fastening them securely. No one can .prophesy what a mob will do .under given circumstances. Leaders will be followed without question, and since there are often many leaders with no preconceived and particular plans in common, the actions of differeht sections

of a riotous crowd are certain to vary. In a few seconds from the barring of the door, the rioters might have poured into the house from many of the winnows, Imt they did not do so iat once. Sticks and stones struck the front door in a continuous rattle, and it seemed that every individual in one part of the crowd at least was bent on striking the door which luid 'been closed against the suldeu attack. The door was the first object of their fury. Others seemed to find their highest satisfaction for the moment in hearing the crash and jingle of falling glass, and every window on this side of the house became a target to tempt skill in stone-throwing. The crowd: did not seem to notice or care that | some of the heavy shutters in the lower windows were being closed against theni. The place was in, their hands; they could i destroy it at their leisure, and in whatever fashion tney pleased. It was ringed round with patriots —for srnch they were pleased to consider themselves—and no one could escape. If Harrison, the miller's man, and Jarvis and Forbes hau been momentarily impressed by Lady .Betty's appeal, the spirit of their commany of them men from a long distance, 'who knew nothing about the mistress of Abbots Chase, except the evil which had been told of her, was too much for them,' and' they flung stones and yelled oaths and execrations with the rest.

"Is this the end, Victor?" said Betty. There was no feair in her voice, only a little sob of disappointment. Was this the end to so many hopes which had been born in her these last few days ? "The end!" cried Baxter; "by heavens—no! There's a lot to do before the end, ans some of these devils have got to pay the price." The question seemed to startle him into sudden- action. Driven into a corner, he was a desperate man. His pistol 'Was in his hand, as he spoke, and Sir Rupert Ashton glanced at him. Perhaps .Mary saw the look and remembered what Baxter -had said only a little while ago. She kid her hand quickly on his arm lest he should make good hi 9 words and shoot Sir Rupert like a dog. Dubuisson did not answer Betty's question, but turned upon As'hton fircely. "Curse you! Are you satisfied now with your lying -work?" "Curse me, it is just; I hope you will yet live to 'think less harshly of me." Sir llupert was as calm and deliberate now as before he had .been agitated and almost incoherent. "At least, in warn-1 ing you I spoke the truth. Lady Betty, I your splendid courage has failed. I have done my work too well. There is still a chance —take it. Here is the ring. The plantation to the Toad will screen yoiu, land you may make your way across the stable yards without being seen. They tost for my destruction more than they do for yours; they " "Had you not come, very probably they would not have come, either," sam Dubuisson. "Had you not been here, Lady Betty's a/ppeal might have won." "They would have come. They 'were not to be appeased," was the answer; "and my being here may save you, if you act promptly. They shall have, a hunt that will rejoice them. Give me two minutes' start, then make for t'he creek. I believe you will find the way clear."

Some servants came rushing from the rear of the house. On .that side the riotera had found another method of destruction to delight them, lire! "Abbots Chase is burning!" they cried. "Another reason for prompt action," said Sir Rupert. "There is the ring. If I succeed, Dubuisson, put it to the credit, side of my character and think some good of an evil man. Give me two minutes. When yoni hear the first wild howl of hatred and triumph, then it will be time for you to go. , Forgive me, Lady Betty, if you can." Before anyone could utter a word, before Betty realised that the heavy gold signet ring was in her hand, Si.r Rupert had gone through the servants' quarters. They listened, wondering /what hie intention might be. Then came the rapid beating of horses' hoofs upon the cobble stones 'of the stable .yards, then only the sound of smashing glass land tiiie snarp crackle of fire; then a screaming roar of voices, madness and malignity at their highest frenzy. "It is horrible," said Betty, with lowered head, her nerve Jailing her for a moment. "It is time to go," said Victor. From one side of the house came a roar of triumph. One part of the crowd had broken in. "The servants!" said Betty. Some of them had fled already, others came rushing' into the hall and followed their mistress without question. the stables they went, across the yards, amazed that no one blocked their path, stunned almost at the realisation of such sudden freedom. Once in the plantation the servants dispersed. The country towards. Dartmouth was clear; they all had friends there. Their safety lay in being no longer associated with Abbots 'Ohase. Had their mistress been in need of their help and protection some of them would certainly have had the courage to stay 'beside her; but she bad no such need. She went hand in hand with a man whose face was set and determined, who ;was armed to protect her. Lady Betty herself bid them seek safety without delay. "Happier times will come to Abbots Ohase," she said, and went on through th« plantation; with 'lter lover. Clouds of smoke were rising, from the house, a roai .of voices came from it-, but part of thc-«mob had found other work more to their taste. In a long streanj, 'the weaker runners being left behind, men /were rushing across the park to their left, going farther and farther away every moment. "Sir Rupert has Ikept hi 9 word," said Dubuisson; "we should hardly have been able to get a-way so easily if he had not drawn a laqge part of the crowd in pursuit of him." "Well, good luck go with him," said Baxter, "but the generous thought cost him an effort. We must forgive, Victor; the man has suffered horribly," said Betty. "I know; who can know better than I do, dearest? He made me suffer like, that, too." (To be on Wednesday).