Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 162, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 July 1911 — HAL O’ THE HIGHWAY [ARTICLE]

HAL O’ THE HIGHWAY

By Georgs Bronson-Howard.

Copyright, The Frank A. Munsey Co. CHAPTER Vlll—Continued. The reason for this was the fact that the inn was four miles distance, and Pulvey was afraid of missing Anne, but. the 'young Philadelphian was too much the gallant to bring i lady’s name into an affair of court. "And,” finished Pulvey, “when I had walked two miles into the town, 1 found along the road tied —not my horse, but this highwayman’s. He had also exchanged horses with me." The attorney smiled weakly at the futile excuse. “You say the highwayman took your clothes? Did he mention why?” “He said he was coming to the ball,” replied Pulvey. “When you were searched, your own purse and Sir John’s watch-fob was in your pocket How do you explain this?” “The highwayman left them there." The attorney laughed. “A generous highwayman, and different from the species we know. But your own purse—what of that? Did not the highwayman take that? Why not?” - "I offered it him and he refused it. He offered to pay for the clothes.” The attorney turned to Sir John. “Your honor, the examination of this witness brings forth only clumsy lies very badly told. I am of opinion that there is no need to continue the subject further.”

“Prisoner, have you any more to say for yourself?” asked Sir John Arundel. Pulvey shook his head. The case for the crown was summed up by the attorney in a few concise words, and very black indeed the record looked against Mr. Pulvey Littleton. Every innocent action and word that he had spoken was turned awry. Sir John’s positive identification, the description of the sheriff, the pick-ing-to-pieces of ids defense, the wearing of. Sir John’s clothes, the possession of Sir John’s watch-fob, the riding of the same horse which the highwayman had ridden, which had been the first thing to catch the eye of Sir John as Pulvey rode into town past Sir John on his way to the ball. The having been stated, there was naught but to wait for Sir John's senteace on the accused man. And presently, after a tense silence, it came:

“1 find the prisoner, Pulvey Littleton, sometimes known as Hurricane Hal, guilty of the crime of highway robbery on many and divers occasions, and do hereby, by the right invested in me by his majesty, King George of Great Britain, sentence the same prisoner to be hanged by the neck until he is dead. And may God have mercy on his soul!” The silence was shivered by a shriek from Anne. She clutched Hal Eager’s hand. “You said you would save him! Oh, you will not let this horrible injustice be done —you will appeal! It is cruel! It is unjust! You lie, uncle, when you say what you do! You lie —you lie—you lie!” Pulvey Littleton, his hand to his head, stared at her with the glazed eyes of on& who is near the gallows. He was numbed in -despair. Anne was on her feet, one accusing finger pointing at Sir John. In the face of her wrath, the lieutenant-gov-ernor shrank back, visibly dismayed,, and in the silence that again fell, Hal Eager stepped forward and faced the judge. “Mistress Anne Arundel speaks the’ truth. Sir John! A foul injustice has hereby been done an innocent man." With one hand he tore off his cloak and stood revealed in Pulvey’s finery. "Mr. Littleton,” said Hal Eager. “Know you this attire T” Littleton gave a sudden cry. “My clothes!” he gasped.

"Exactly!” continued HaJ Eager, and he turned the flap of the coat and exposed the pocket to view. ""Within is sewed the tailor’s name and the name of the owner. These clothes that I wear were made for, and are the property of, Mr. Pulvey Ldttleton,’ of Philadelphia, who stands there a prisoner.” Sir John Arundel half arose in his seat x “Mr. Conniers!" he called helplessly. “Do not call ma that That is not my name. I camo to the ball tonight in a spirit of adV'enture. I deceived you. Sir John, wit h talk of jnen I had known in London.. All Dea, Sir John, ull lies.” “Stop—oh, stop!” cried Awjne. j— She knew now the maasser Jn which Hal Eager was to save Pulvej' Littleton, and all thought of the P hiladelphia dandy fadi-d from her min d. The man whom she, loved was sacrificing himself and—“l took theso clothes from Ip'. Littleton by pistol point*" continue* I Hal Eager, ♦in ordrnr to hiave a brave a how-

, . ...., ■ ew. Ing for the ball. I made him attire himself in those ridiculous vestments which 1 had taken from your excellency.” He made a satiric bow to Sir John, “And all of you are very prettily fooled. As for your Justice, Sir John, it is aljustice indeed, and you are a poor judge, upon my soul. Release the prisoner and take me in bis stead ” Sir John, purple-faced, raised his hand. “I’ll not believe you. This is some trick which you have hatched with my niece. , Release hiip and you will evade Justice by proving your own identity.” “Ah, you want proof then!” Hal Eager felt in his pocket and took from it a heavy purse, which he tossed to Sir John and which fell with a clink upon the table. “Your purse Sir John! Then, too, you will remember that when I wrestled with you and conquered you, I sat upon your chest and laughed, calling it ‘a noble seat’ and saying that I had never sat upon a governor before.” He laughed debonnairly. “It was a merry jest, Sir John!” His hand went to his head and the wig came off, showing his fair hair. “You will see that I answer the description. This is Mr. Littleton’s wig. And now, Sir John, I am ready to be hanged by the neck until I am dead—for I am the so-called Hurricane Hal, otherwise Mr. Henry Eager, at your honor's very obedient service.” He tossed the wig to the attorney and folded his arms. He was waitin’; for his death now, for the lonely gibbet at the cross roads. He was wondering whether Anne would give him good-by for the service he had done her. He had saved the man she loved Mayhap she owed him some thanks. Sir John was on his feet.

“You are right!” he almost shouted. “I see that I have been the fool. Release Mr. Littleton.” He paused for breath. “Mulvey, Pigeon, Lipscomb”—this to the soldiers—“advance and secure the prisoner! Kill him if he makes an attempt to escape. The sentence is reversed. The man who stands before you is the highwayman by his own proof and confession. I give him into the hands of the'sheriff and the soldiers. Let him be hanged this night. ’ Sir John sat down, breathing heavily. The soldiers advanced with leveled bayonets. Hal stirred not a muscle, his arms still folded and his lips wreathed in a mocking smile. His eyes held a -satirical look as they rested on Sir John. And then, when all looked upon him, there came a demonstration from another quarter. Anne Arundel had risen like an avenging goddess, her cheeks blazing and her teeth set. In a moment her two tiny hands seized the huge candelabrum and hurled it to the floor. The room was in total darkness. Startled cries arose — f “Lights, lights!” “The highwayman is escaping!" “Don’t fire; he cannot escape!” “Guard the door and windows!" “To the door, quick!” Hal, knowing not from whence came the sudden putting-out of the lights, had been awakened from his meditations by the crashing of the candelabrum to the floor, and the touch of a hand to his. Softly he heard the words. “Follow me. Quickly!” And he knew that it was Anne Arundel. The girl’s brain had worked as quickly as had his at other times, and the remembrance of the secret door behind the curtains, -which her mother had spoken of, came back to her mind. She had often hidden there when younger to listen to the trials unperceived. Her right hand fumbled with the curtain, while her left hand guided Hal Eager. A moment later she found it. She pressed the spring. It opened noiselessly, and she led Hal out into the darkness.

The door closed behind them as noiselessly as it had-opened, and the curtain swung back in place. Meanwhile tinder-boxes had been produced, and many candles flared in the darkness. There was revealed a scattered throng. The main-door was carefully guarded by soldiers. The windows were equally well kept secure by sheriff's officers. In the witness-box Alice Calvert had fainted, and Lady Mary was very pale. But all of the highwayman that remained was his cloak and his wig. while of Mistress Anne Arundel there was only the faint scent of the rose. Sir John, foaming in fury, realized in an instant what had happened. * 'The secret door!” he shouted. “After them —quick! The baggage has carried him off. Do not let them escape! Dead or alive bring them back! Your failure will meant imprisonment! Horses! Off with you! Damn the jade—the baggage—the hussy!” Sir John sank back in impotent and helpless wrath, while the sheriff, his officers, and the soldiers stumbled pell-mell out of the court (To be continued.)