n. I was present when the matter was discovered to the
queen. Death will be thy portion if thou art apprehended. Why stand you
here? If you would save yourself, fly!"

"Thou present when it was discovered? Then it is thou who hast betrayed
us? Varlet! Base brawler of men's secrets! die, ere thou canst betray
others."

His dagger flashed in the air as he spoke, but ere it could descend
Francis gave him a sharp, stinging cut across the face with her whip.
With a cry of rage Babington let fall the poniard, and before he could
regain the weapon the girl dashed away. On she rode, never stopping until
at length the night fell, and she knew that she was far from the wretched
Babington.

CHAPTER XIX

A SHELTER FROM THE STORM

The morning of the second day found Francis once more on her way without
having seen any of the queen's men. The day was unusually warm, and both
the girl and her horse, wearied by the hard riding, showed the effects of
the journey. But fatigued though she was she pushed resolutely on,
pausing only to care for the tired animal. At length the road entered a
deep wood and she gave a sigh of relief as the grateful shade of the
trees enveloped her. The horse too seemed to revive somewhat and went
forward with more briskness.

So dense was the shade that Francis was not aware that the sky had become
overcast with clouds until a distant peal of thunder broke upon her ear.

"A storm is coming," she cried. "I must seek shelter; but where?"

It was a problem that would have puzzled a head older and wiser than
that of Francis Stafford. She was in the midst of a dense forest. She
looked about her in dismay.

"Beshrew me!" she uttered, "these woods are impenetrable enough to
furnish hiding-place for Robin Hood and all his men. Surely there must be
an inn or house somewhere near. Patience! I will find shelter. On, good
horse!"

The mutterings of the thunder became louder and deeper as the storm
approached. The clouds scudded across the heavens swiftly, borne on the
wings of a heavy wind. Suddenly a blinding flash of lightning zigzagged
across the sky followed by a deafening crash of thunder, and the storm
broke in all its force. The rain came down in torrents. The trees bent
and swayed in the wind, tossing their proud heads as if in defiance to
the storm king. The horse snorted in terror as flash after flash of
lightning blazed across the road. Francis was drenched to the skin, but
she struggled on