is all without reason, without sense,
without possible excuse. The Lady Barbara's imagination has been
played upon in some way, for some reason that I cannot understand. You
heard her declare that she'd seen me in the fellow's disguise. That is
an absolute impossibility. I've never seen the rogue, much less
impersonated him."

"You shall, of course, have the benefit of any doubt, Lord Farquhart."
Lord Grimsby's voice had assumed its judicial tones and fell with
sinister coldness on every ear. "But, innocent or guilty, you must
admit that the safety of his majesty's realm demands that the truth be
proved."

"Ay, it shall be proved, too," cried Jack Grimsby, who had been so
warmly befriended in time of direct need by the Black Highwayman. "And
you shall have the benefit of every doubt there may be, Percy. Rest
assured of that. And in the event that there is no doubt, if it is
proved that you are our Black Devil, you'll still go free. Your case
will be in my father's hands, and I here repeat my oath that if the
Black Devil goes to the gallows, I go on the road, following as close
as may be in his footsteps."

Farquhart shuddered out from under the protecting hand young Grimsby
had laid on his shoulder.

"You speak as though you half believed the tale," he cried. His eyes
traveled once again around the little circle. Then his face grew
stern. "Let Mr. Ashley repeat his tale," he said, slowly. "Let him
tell the Lady Barbara's story and his own corroboration as
circumstantially as may be."

"Yes, let Harry Ashley tell his story," echoed Jack Grimsby, "and when
he has finished let him say where and when he will measure swords with
me, for if he lies he lies like a blackguard, and if he spoke the
truth he speaks it like a liar."

Ashley's sword was half out of its sheath, but it was arrested by Lord
Grimsby's voice.

"I will consent that Mr. Ashley should tell his story here and now,"
he said. "It's unusual and irregular, but the circumstances are
unusual and irregular. I request your appreciation of this courtesy,
my Lord Farquhart, and as for you, my son, a gentleman's house may
serve strange purposes, but it's no place for a tavern brawler. So
take heed of your words and manners."

Lord Farquhart had merely bowed his head in answer to Lord Grimsby's
words; Jack still stood near him, his hand on his shoulder, but Ashley
looked in vain for a pair of friendly eyes to which he might direct
his tale. And yet he knew t