The Leaguer of Lathom by W. Harrison Ainsworth

“Ha! ha! ha!” laughed the whole company.

“I wish Captain Standish would make Rigby a prisoner in his next sally,” remarked Thornhaugh.

“We have got a prisoner worth a dozen of Rigby,” said Dick Bold.

“You mean Colonel Rosworm,” remarked Launce Walker.

“Ay,” rejoined Bold. “If he would only join us, we should have nothing to fear.”

“We have nothing to fear as it is,” said Launce. “But no doubt Rosworm could give us great help.”

At this juncture the person referred to made a movement to depart.

“Let us go,” he said. “I have played the listéner too long.”

But Standish detained him, and drew him forward.

As soon as the men became aware of Rosworm’s presence they all arose.

“I have heard what you have just said,” Rosworm remarked; “and I thank you for the good opinion you seem to entertain of me.”

“Join us, colonel! join us!” they cried with one voice.

“No, I cannot do that,” he replied. “But I will not fight against you if I can help it.”

“You must not have the opportunity of doing so, colonel,” said Standish. “Now you are here, we must keep you with us.”

“Ay, that we must,” cried the men.

“But the countess has promised to exchange me,” rejoined Rosworm. “And you well know she will keep her word.”

“Ay, if her ladyship has made you that promise no more need be said. But you may change your mind, colonel, and stay.”

“I don’t think that likely,” he rejoined.

“Then we must try and prevent your departure,” cried the men.

“I feel no apprehension on that score,” laughed Rosworm, as he quitted the guard-room with Standish.

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XIII

In what Manner a Letter was sent to Colonel Rosworm

AS they returned through the court, they saw the countess and her daughters. She was attended by Major Farrington, Archdeacon Rutter, and one or two of the officers.

“I must now leave you,” said Standish. “Her ladyship is about to ascend the Eagle Tower, and I must attend her.”

“You should caution her not to expose herself too much,” said Rosworm. “At present we have no cannon that can reach the summit of that tower—but some bombards and a culverin are expected.”

“I will tell her what you say,” rejoined Standish.

And he proceeded towards the entrance of the Eagle Tower.

Rosworm was still in the outer court, pacing to and fro, and thinking over what had just occurred, when a soldier halted beside him, and holding out his hand as he spoke, said, in a significant tone:

“I have just picked up this ball, colonel. Have you dropped it?”

Thus addressed, Rosworm looked at the man and saw that he held between his fingers and thumb, a wax ball about the size of a musket bullet.

“Give it me,” he said, instantly comprehending what was meant.

The man complied, and without waiting to be thanked, marched on.

The incident did not occupy more than a minute, so that if noticed by the musketeers on the ramparts, it was not likely to excite suspicion.

Rosworm continued his promenade for a short time longer, and then repairing to his lodging, which was in an outbuilding attached to the mansion, he broke the ball, and found—as he expected—that it contained a letter, written on very thin paper.

He fancied the handwriting was that of Captain Bootle, but as the words were traced in pencil, he did not feel quite sure.

The message was very brief, and ran thus:

“Means will be found to effect your escape. Be prepared. You have a friend in the house.”

“The offer is useless,” mentally ejaculated Rosworm, after he had read the missive. “I have promised the countess not to attempt flight, and I cannot break my word.”

While he was revolving the matter, a tap was heard at the door, and Gertrude entered the chamber.

“Do you find your captivity irksome, dear father?” she inquired. “You look melancholy.”

“Were I not bound by my word, I need not remain here,” he replied. “Means of escape have just been offered me. Read that letter.”

After casting her eyes over it, Gertrude said: