is justice. It has been long on the way, but it has come at
last."

"Bethink you, Mr. Marleigh--"

"Call me not by that name," cried the other harshly, fearfully. "I have
not borne it these eighteen years, and thanks to what you have made
me, it is not meet that I should bear it now." There was a pause. Then
Joseph spoke again with great calm and earnestness.

"Bethink you, Sir Crispin, of what you are about to do. It can benefit
you in naught."

"Oddslife, think you it cannot? Think you it will benefit me naught to
see you earn at last your reward?"

"You may have dearly to pay for what at best must prove a fleeting
satisfaction."

"Not a fleeting one, Joseph," he laughed. "But one the memory of which
shall send me rejoicing through what years or days of life be left me. A
satisfaction that for eighteen years I have been waiting to experience;
though the moment after it be mine find me stark and cold."

"Sir Crispin, you are in enmity with the Parliament--an outlaw almost. I
have some influence much influence. By exerting it--"

"Have done, sir!" cried Crispin angrily. "You talk in vain. What to
me is life, or aught that life can give? If I have so long endured the
burden of it, it has been so that I might draw from it this hour. Do you
think there is any bribe you could offer would turn me from my purpose?"

A groan from Gregory, who was regaining consciousness, drew his
attention aside.

"Truss him up, Kenneth," he commanded, pointing to the recumbent
figure. "How? Do you hesitate? Now, as God lives, I'll be obeyed; or you
shall have an unpleasant reminder of the oath you swore me!"

With a look of loathing the lad dropped on his knees to do as he was
bidden. Then of a sudden:

"I have not the means," he announced.

"Fool, does he not wear a sword-belt and a sash? Come, attend to it!"

"Why do you force me to do this?" the lad still protested passionately.
"You have tricked and cheated me, yet I have kept my oath and rendered
you the assistance you required. They are in your power now, can you not
do the rest yourself?"

"On my soul, Master Stewart, I am over-patient with you! Are we to
wrangle at every step before you'll take it? I will have your assistance
through this matter as you swore to give it. Come, truss me that fellow,
and have done with words."

His fierceness overthrew the boy's outburst of resistance. Kenneth had
wit enough to see that his mood was not one to brook much opposition,