He had hardly seated himself when some halberdiers, in
charge of an officer, passed by. The officer saw him, halted his
men, and commanded Hendon to come forth. He obeyed, and was promptly
arrested as a suspicious character prowling within the precincts of
the palace. Things began to look ugly. Poor Miles was going to
explain, but the officer roughly silenced him, and ordered his men
to disarm him and search him.
'God of his mercy grant that they find somewhat,' said poor Miles;
'I have searched enow, and failed, yet is my need greater than
theirs.'
Nothing was found but a document. The officer tore it open, and
Hendon smiled when he recognized the 'pot-hooks' made by his lost
little friend that black day at Hendon Hall. The officer's face grew
dark as he read the English paragraph, and Miles blenched to the
opposite color as he listened.
'Another new claimant of the crown!' cried the officer. 'Verily
they breed like rabbits to-day. Seize the rascal, men, and see ye keep
him fast while I convey this precious paper within and send it to
the king.
He hurried away, leaving the prisoner in the grip of the
halberdiers.
'Now is my evil luck ended at last,' muttered Hendon, 'for I shall
dangle at a rope's end for a certainty, by reason of that bit of
writing. And what will become of my poor lad!- ah, only the good God
knoweth.'
By and by he saw the officer coming again, in a great hurry; so he
plucked his courage together, purposing to meet his trouble as
became a man.
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