'You are mistaken in me, Master Jocelyn Mounchensey,' he said; 'I have

no design upon your purse
'You are mistaken in me, Master Jocelyn Mounchensey,' he said; 'I have
no design upon your purse. I call upon you to surrender yourself my
prisoner.'

'Certes, you must not contemn the Star-Chamber, or you will incur its

censure,' Sir Francis replied in a low tone
'Certes, you must not contemn the Star-Chamber, or you will incur its
censure,' Sir Francis replied in a low tone. 'No court in England is so
jealous of its prerogatives, nor so severe in punishment of its
maligners. It will not have its proceedings canvassed, or its judgments
questioned.'

'"T is easily explained, chuck,' Lord Roos rejoined

'"T is easily explained, chuck,' Lord Roos rejoined. 'Anxious, no doubt,
to set herself off to advantage, she hath made free with the countess"s
wardrobe. Your own favourite attendant, Sarah Swarton, hath often
arranged herself in your finest fardingales, kirtlets, and busk-points,
as Diego will tell you. Is it not so, rascal?'

It was one of those delicious spring mornings, when all nature seems to

rejoice; when the newly-opened leaves are greenest and freshest; when
the lark springs blithest from the verdant mead, and soars nearest
heaven; when a thousand other feathered choristers warble forth their
notes in copse and hedge; when the rooks caw mellowly near their nests
in the lofty trees; when gentle showers, having fallen overnight, have
kindly prepared the earth for the morrow"s genial warmth and sunshine;
when that sunshine, each moment, calls some new object into life and
beauty; when all you look upon is pleasant to the eye, all you listen to
is delightful to the ear;--in short, it was one of those exquisite
mornings, only to be met with in the merry month of May, and only to be
experienced in full perfection in Merry England
It was one of those delicious spring mornings, when all nature seems to
rejoice; when the newly-opened leaves are greenest and freshest; when
the lark springs blithest from the verdant mead, and soars nearest
heaven; when a thousand other feathered choristers warble forth their
notes in copse and hedge; when the rooks caw mellowly near their nests
in the lofty trees; when gentle showers, having fallen overnight, have
kindly prepared the earth for the morrow"s genial warmth and sunshine;
when that sunshine, each moment, calls some new object into life and
beauty; when all you look upon is pleasant to the eye, all you listen to
is delightful to the ear;--in short, it was one of those exquisite
mornings, only to be met with in the merry month of May, and only to be
experienced in full perfection in Merry England.

'This is a frolic, gentleman, I perceive

'This is a frolic, gentleman, I perceive. You are resolved to make me
your sport--ha! ha!' Sir Francis said, trying to disguise his uneasiness
under an appearance of levity--'But you will not carry the jest too far.
You will not maltreat me. My partner, Sir Giles Mompesson, will be here
anon, and will requite any outrage committed upon me.'

'If he preach against extortioners and usurers only, I am with him,'

Dick Taverner said
'If he preach against extortioners and usurers only, I am with him,'
Dick Taverner said. 'If he rid London of Sir Giles Mompesson and his
peers he will do good service--still better, if he will put down
corruption and injustice as exhibited in the Court of Star-Chamber--eh,
Master Jocelyn Mounchensey?'

'Heavens above! Aunt, she"s turned! Do I forgive you, my heart"s own

treasure? How did you ever offend me, my darling? You
'Heavens above! Aunt, she"s turned! Do I forgive you, my heart"s own
treasure? How did you ever offend me, my darling? You. know you never
did. But if you ever did, my own Ellen, I do forgive you.'

'Because I wanted to warn you!' answered Bob, and hurriedly he related

all he had overheard and the incidents of the pursuit
'Because I wanted to warn you!' answered Bob, and hurriedly he related
all he had overheard and the incidents of the pursuit.

'Mebbe you can and mebbe you can"t,' observed the surly-looking man, who

had edged his way to where the agent and Bob were talking and had heard
the boy"s last remark
'Mebbe you can and mebbe you can"t,' observed the surly-looking man, who
had edged his way to where the agent and Bob were talking and had heard
the boy"s last remark.

It is not to be supposed that the circumstances attending the quarrel

between him and Meehaul Neil, on the preceding night, would pass off
without a more than ordinary share of public notice
It is not to be supposed that the circumstances attending the quarrel
between him and Meehaul Neil, on the preceding night, would pass off
without a more than ordinary share of public notice. Their relative
positions were too well known not to excite an interest corresponding
with the characters they had borne, as the leaders of two bitter and
powerful factions: but when it became certain that Meehaul Neil had
struck Lamh Laudher Oge, and that the latter refused to fight him, it
is impossible to describe the sensation which immediately spread through
the town and parish. The intelligence was first received by O"Rorke"s
party with incredulity and scorn. It was impossible that he of the
Strong Hand, who had been proverbial for courage, could all at once turn
coward, and bear the blow from a Neil! But when it was proved beyond the
possibility of doubt or misconception, that he received a blow tamely
before many witnesses, under circumstances of the most degrading insult,
the rage of his party became incredible. Before ten o"clock the next
morning his father"s house was crowded with friends and relations,
anxious to hear the truth from his own lips, and all, after having heard
it, eager to point out to him the only method that remained of wiping
away his disgrace, namely, to challenge Meehaul Neil. His father"s
indignation knew no bounds; but his mother, on discovering the truth,
was not without that pride and love which, are ever ready to form an
apology for the feelings and errors of an only child.

'You don"t happen to have any lunch in that box, do you, that you would

be willing to sell me?' asked the stranger
'You don"t happen to have any lunch in that box, do you, that you would
be willing to sell me?' asked the stranger. 'I didn"t have time to get
any before I started. In fact, I came mighty near losing the train as it
was, and there won"t be any station where I can get anything before
noon.'

'So you"re going West, are you? That is a good one

'So you"re going West, are you? That is a good one. Why, you couldn"t
even get across the river to Jersey City. It takes money, money, my boy,
to travel, and you haven"t a cent. And yet you"re going West! That _is_
a good one. Do you think the trains will carry you for nothing, just for
the pleasure of having you travel on them?' and the grocer indulged
himself in another burst of laughter at what he considered his keen
wit.

'Damnation!' exclaimed Lord Roos

'Damnation!' exclaimed Lord Roos. 'What brings them here at such an
hour? But you must on no account admit them, Diego--at least, till I
have had time to remove the Countess to her own chamber. What a cursed
mischance!'

Realizing that the turn of affairs was making them appear ridiculous,

the officer who had suggested that Bob be allowed to plead guilty, and
receive a light sentence, if he would divulge the name of the two
swindlers, hurriedly exclaimed:

On this a brisker movement took place on the couch, and a hand was

raised as if to snatch away the "kerchief
On this a brisker movement took place on the couch, and a hand was
raised as if to snatch away the "kerchief.

'Depends on how you travel

'Depends on how you travel. You can go in a plain car for about ten or
eleven dollars. That is on one of the round-about railways, at cut
rates. Or, you can pay between fifty and seventy-five dollars for a
state-room.'

Turning their backs, so Bob could not see exactly what they were doing,

the brakemen opened a cupboard and took out some things which they
slipped into the pockets of their jumpers
Turning their backs, so Bob could not see exactly what they were doing,
the brakemen opened a cupboard and took out some things which they
slipped into the pockets of their jumpers.

Making his way diffidently to one of the tables, he sat down

Making his way diffidently to one of the tables, he sat down. In a
moment a waitress, in what seemed to him a dazzlingly white and gorgeous
dress, approached, and, with a smile, asked:

Amongst the foremost of those who thus obstructed Sir Francis and his

party was a young man with a lithe active figure, bright black eyes,
full of liveliness and malice, an olive complexion, and a gipsy-like
cast of countenance
Amongst the foremost of those who thus obstructed Sir Francis and his
party was a young man with a lithe active figure, bright black eyes,
full of liveliness and malice, an olive complexion, and a gipsy-like
cast of countenance. Attired in a tight-fitting brown frieze jerkin with
stone buttons, and purple hose, his head was covered with a montero cap,
with a cock"s feather stuck in it. He was armed neither with sword nor
dagger, but carried a large cudgel or club, the well-known and
formidable weapon, of the London "prentices, in the use of which,
whether as a quarterstaff or missile, they were remarkably expert. Even
a skilful swordsman stood but poor chance with them. Besides this
saucy-looking personage, who was addressed as Dick Taverner by his
comrades, there were many others, who, to judge from their habiliments
and their cudgels, belonged to the same fraternity as himself; that is
to say, they were apprentices to grocers, drapers, haberdashers,
skinners, ironmongers, vintners, or other respectable artificers or
tradesfolk.

This had little effect on the magistrate, who at no time placed any

reliance on Nell"s assertions; he immediately, however, dispatched a
summons for Nanse M"Collum
This had little effect on the magistrate, who at no time placed any
reliance on Nell"s assertions; he immediately, however, dispatched a
summons for Nanse M"Collum.

'Forbear your wrongs awhile, I pray you, and drown your resentment in a

cup of wine
'Forbear your wrongs awhile, I pray you, and drown your resentment in a
cup of wine. As I am a true gentleman! a better bottle than the first!
Nay, taste it. On my credit, it is perfect nectar. I pledge you in a
brimmer; wishing Success may attend you, and Confusion await your
Enemies! May you speedily regain your Rights!'

Bob, however, was too engrossed with the prospect of riding on a freight

train, to overhear the remark
Bob, however, was too engrossed with the prospect of riding on a freight
train, to overhear the remark.

If this were the case with persons who had no immediate ground of

apprehension from him, how much terror his sombre figure must have
inspired, when presented, as it was, to Madame Bonaventure, with the
aspect of a merciless creditor, armed with full power to enforce his
claims, and resolved not to abate a jot of them, will be revealed to the
reader in our next chapter
If this were the case with persons who had no immediate ground of
apprehension from him, how much terror his sombre figure must have
inspired, when presented, as it was, to Madame Bonaventure, with the
aspect of a merciless creditor, armed with full power to enforce his
claims, and resolved not to abate a jot of them, will be revealed to the
reader in our next chapter.

'Nov you may go,' said Lord Roos to Luke Hatton, who received the paper

with a diabolical grin
'Nov you may go,' said Lord Roos to Luke Hatton, who received the paper
with a diabolical grin. 'You may count upon your reward.'

'Most palpably,' cried the Conde de Gondomar, who had caught Gillian in

his arms, as the jealous apprentice cast her from him
'Most palpably,' cried the Conde de Gondomar, who had caught Gillian in
his arms, as the jealous apprentice cast her from him. 'I am afraid her
ladyship cannot see very clearly.'

'And in some degree to him who hath been made the instrument of your

Majesty"s preservation,' observed the Conde de Gondomar, who formed one
of the group near the King
'And in some degree to him who hath been made the instrument of your
Majesty"s preservation,' observed the Conde de Gondomar, who formed one
of the group near the King. 'Since the foul traitor hath proclaimed the
name of my young protege', there can be no need for further concealment.
Master Jocelyn Mounchensey hath been singularly fortunate in rendering
your Majesty a service, and may for ever congratulate himself on his
share--accidental though it be--in this affair.'

Let not our readers, however, suppose that young Lamh Laudher"s disgrace

was altogether lost in the wide-spread fame of the Dead Boxer
Let not our readers, however, suppose that young Lamh Laudher"s disgrace
was altogether lost in the wide-spread fame of the Dead Boxer. His high
reputation for generous and manly feeling had given him too strong a
hold upon the hearts of all who know him, to be at once discarded by
them from public conversation as an indifferent person. His conduct
filled them with wonder, it is true; but although the general tone of
feeling respecting the robbery was decidedly in his favor, yet there
still existed among the public, particularly in the faction that was
hostile to him, enough of doubt, openly expressed, to render it a duty
to avoid him; particularly when this formidable suspicion was joined to
the notorious fact of his cowardice in the rencounter with Meehaul Neil.
Both subjects were therefore discussed with probably an equal interest;
but it is quite certain that the rumor of Lamh Laudher"s cowardice would
alone have occasioned him, under the peculiar circumstances which drew
it forth, to be avoided and branded with contumely. There was, in
fact, then in existence among the rival factions in Ireland much of the
military sense of honor which characterizes the British army at this
day; nor is this spirit even yet wholly exploded, from our humble
countrymen. Poor Lamh Laudher was, therefore, an exile from his father"s
house, repulsed and avoided by all who had formerly been intimate with
him.

'Put this with your ten dollars,' he continued

'Put this with your ten dollars,' he continued. 'It will help some
toward getting you out West, and now you go back to Mr. Dardus, and tell
him that Judge Bristol said that your arrest was an outrage. Clerk, call
the next case.'

Two days after the events last recorded, a horseman, followed at a

respectful distance by a mounted attendant, took his way up Stamford
Hill
Two days after the events last recorded, a horseman, followed at a
respectful distance by a mounted attendant, took his way up Stamford
Hill. He was young, and of singularly prepossessing appearance, with a
countenance full of fire and spirit, and blooming with health, and it
was easy to see that his life had been passed in the country, and in
constant manly exercise; for though he managed his horse--a powerful bay
charger--to perfection, there was nothing of the town gallant, or of the
soldier, about him. His doublet and cloak were of a plain dark material,
and had seen service; but they well became his fine symmetrical figure,
as did the buff boots defending his well-made, vigorous limbs. Better
seat in saddle, or lighter hand with bridle, no man could possess than
he; and his noble steed, which like himself was full of courage and
ardour, responded to all his movements, and obeyed the slightest
indication of his will. His arms were rapier and dagger; and his
broad-leaved hat, ornamented with a black feather, covered the luxuriant
brown locks that fell in long ringlets over his shoulders. So
_debonnair_ was the young horseman in deportment, so graceful in
figure, and so comely in looks, that he had excited no little admiration
as he rode forth at an early hour that morning from Bishopgate Street,
and passing under the wide portal in the old city walls, speeded towards
the then rural district of Shoreditch, leaving Old Bedlam and its
saddening associations on the right, and Finsbury Fields, with its
gardens, dog-houses, and windmills, on the left. At the end of
Bishopgate-Street-Without a considerable crowd was collected round a
party of comely young milkmaids, who were executing a lively and
characteristic dance to the accompaniment of a bagpipe and fiddle.
Instead of carrying pails as was their wont, these milkmaids, who were
all very neatly attired, bore on their heads a pile of silver plate,
borrowed for the occasion, arranged like a pyramid, and adorned with
ribands and flowers. In this way they visited all their customers and
danced before their doors. A pretty usage then observed in the environs
of the metropolis in the month of May. The merry milkmaids set up a
joyous shout as the youth rode by; and many a bright eye followed his
gallant figure till it disappeared. At the Conduit beyond Shoreditch, a
pack of young girls, who were drawing water, suspended their task to
look after him; and so did every buxom country lass he encountered,
whether seated in tilted cart, or on a pillion behind her sturdy sire.
To each salutation addressed to him the young man cordially replied, in
a voice blithe as his looks; and in some cases, where the greeting was
given by an elderly personage, or a cap was respectfully doffed to him,
he uncovered his own proud head, and displayed his handsome features yet
more fully.

And wheeling their ponies, the two rode off across the plains, the dog

bounding joyfully along at Bob"s side
And wheeling their ponies, the two rode off across the plains, the dog
bounding joyfully along at Bob"s side.

'Save that they seem to imply a belief on your part that his Majesty has

chosen his officers badly,' Buckingham said, regarding the young man
fixedly
'Save that they seem to imply a belief on your part that his Majesty has
chosen his officers badly,' Buckingham said, regarding the young man
fixedly.

'Only a silver groat!' she exclaimed, tossing her head

'Only a silver groat!' she exclaimed, tossing her head. 'Why, this young
man behind me gave a mark; and so did this gallant gentleman on
horseback.'

'I care not what construction you put upon it,' cried Lord Roos, losing

patience
'I care not what construction you put upon it,' cried Lord Roos, losing
patience. 'You and Lady Roos may think what you please, and act as you
please. Enough for me, you can prove nothing.'

The tone in which the reporter spoke was one that could not fail to be

impressive, and after a moment"s hesitation, the magistrate, who knew
Foster as a reporter and admired him for his manly fearlessness, asked:

'We"ll all protect you, Madame,' cried the assemblage with one

voice--'Let him lay hands upon you, and he shall see
'We"ll all protect you, Madame,' cried the assemblage with one
voice--'Let him lay hands upon you, and he shall see.'

'And in some degree to him who hath been made the instrument of your

Majesty"s preservation,' observed the Conde de Gondomar, who formed one
of the group near the King
'And in some degree to him who hath been made the instrument of your
Majesty"s preservation,' observed the Conde de Gondomar, who formed one
of the group near the King. 'Since the foul traitor hath proclaimed the
name of my young protege', there can be no need for further concealment.
Master Jocelyn Mounchensey hath been singularly fortunate in rendering
your Majesty a service, and may for ever congratulate himself on his
share--accidental though it be--in this affair.'

'It musn"t be,' said they, 'for whatever was over him wid Meehaul Neil,

we know now he"s no coward, an" that"s enough
'It musn"t be,' said they, 'for whatever was over him wid Meehaul Neil,
we know now he"s no coward, an" that"s enough. We musn"t see him beat
dead before our eyes, at all events, where is he?'

Of the people about him, he took only passing notice, and busied himself

with trying to map out a plan of action after he reached Fairfax
Of the people about him, he took only passing notice, and busied himself
with trying to map out a plan of action after he reached Fairfax.

On his entrance, it may be remarked, the curtain in front of the raised

table was more closely drawn, so as completely to conceal the guests
On his entrance, it may be remarked, the curtain in front of the raised
table was more closely drawn, so as completely to conceal the guests.
But their importance might be inferred from the serving-men, in rich
liveries, standing before the traverse.

'That seems fair,' returned Bob, 'but I should be just as willing to

give you some, even if you didn"t return it
'That seems fair,' returned Bob, 'but I should be just as willing to
give you some, even if you didn"t return it.'

The countryman"s suggestion that he be intrusted with the money aroused

Bob"s suspicion, for he remembered that the others had placed five
hundred dollars in the envelope, and he thought it was a scheme on the
part of Simpkins to get possession of this money
The countryman"s suggestion that he be intrusted with the money aroused
Bob"s suspicion, for he remembered that the others had placed five
hundred dollars in the envelope, and he thought it was a scheme on the
part of Simpkins to get possession of this money. So that after this
interchange of words, both lapsed into silence.

'And who brought the bad luck upon me first?' asked the woman

'And who brought the bad luck upon me first?' asked the woman. 'Wasn"t
it the husband of the mother that bore you? Wasn"t it his hand that
disfigured me as you see, when I was widin a week of bein" dacently
married? Your father, Lamh Laudher was the man that blasted my name, and
made it bitther upon tongue of them that mintions it.'

She pointed to the little passage leading to the ante-chamber

She pointed to the little passage leading to the ante-chamber. He
instantly went thither, and examined the place, but without discovering
any listener.

After riding for a couple of miles along a road which led them over

beautifully undulating ground, affording glimpses of every variety of
forest scenery--sometimes plunging them into the depths of groves, where
the path was covered by over-arching trees--sometimes crossing the open
chace, studded by single aged oaks of the largest size--sometimes,
skirting the margin of a pool, fringed with flags, reeds, and bulrushes
for the protection of the water-fowl--now passing the large heronry, to
the strict preservation of which James attached the utmost importance;
they at length approached the long avenue leading to the palace
After riding for a couple of miles along a road which led them over
beautifully undulating ground, affording glimpses of every variety of
forest scenery--sometimes plunging them into the depths of groves, where
the path was covered by over-arching trees--sometimes crossing the open
chace, studded by single aged oaks of the largest size--sometimes,
skirting the margin of a pool, fringed with flags, reeds, and bulrushes
for the protection of the water-fowl--now passing the large heronry, to
the strict preservation of which James attached the utmost importance;
they at length approached the long avenue leading to the palace. At its
entrance they found Jocelyn waiting for them.

'You will make me chide you, daughter, if you exhibit this weakness,'

cried Lady Lake, angrily
'You will make me chide you, daughter, if you exhibit this weakness,'
cried Lady Lake, angrily. 'Let me deal with him. In spite of your
affected confidence, my lord, you cannot be blind to the position in
which you stand. And though you yourself personally may be careless of
the consequences of a refusal of our demands, you cannot, I conceive, be
equally indifferent to the fate of the Countess of Exeter, which that
refusal will decide.'

'What makes you think there is anything wrong?' parried Foster,

determined, if possible, to keep the knowledge of Bob"s arrest from so
evident a neighborhood gossip
'What makes you think there is anything wrong?' parried Foster,
determined, if possible, to keep the knowledge of Bob"s arrest from so
evident a neighborhood gossip.

Upon the arrival of the special car at Kansas City, the officers were

met by a messenger with instructions to have Bob taken to the offices of
the railroad company, as the vice-president wished to talk with him
Upon the arrival of the special car at Kansas City, the officers were
met by a messenger with instructions to have Bob taken to the offices of
the railroad company, as the vice-president wished to talk with him.

'He is at home,' said the father, with tears in his eyes, 'and I never

thought he would bring the blush to my face as he did by his conduct
last night
'He is at home,' said the father, with tears in his eyes, 'and I never
thought he would bring the blush to my face as he did by his conduct
last night.'

While Bob"s champion, unknown to the boy, was interesting himself in his

cause, Bob was sitting on a little iron bunk his cell contained, staring
about him as though unable to comprehend the situation
While Bob"s champion, unknown to the boy, was interesting himself in his
cause, Bob was sitting on a little iron bunk his cell contained, staring
about him as though unable to comprehend the situation.

'I expect her to answer my question,' rejoined the Secretary of State,

sharply
'I expect her to answer my question,' rejoined the Secretary of State,
sharply. 'Were you in Lord Roos"s room last night?' he added, to
Gillian.

This beautiful dame, whose proud lips were now more compressed than

usual, and whose dark eyes emitted fierce rays--very different from
their customary tender and voluptuous glances--was the Countess of
Exeter
This beautiful dame, whose proud lips were now more compressed than
usual, and whose dark eyes emitted fierce rays--very different from
their customary tender and voluptuous glances--was the Countess of
Exeter. He whom she looked upon was Lord Roos, and the chamber she had
just entered was the one assigned to the young nobleman in the Palace of
Theobalds.