s journeying to
Bloomsbury Square. It had not appeared at that moment, far toward
evening, when John Law, riding a trembling and dripping steed, came upon
one side of this little open common and gazed anxiously across the
space. He saw standing across from him a carriage, toward which he
dashed. He flung open the carriage door, crying out, even before he saw
the face within.

"Will! Will Law, I say, come out!" called he. "What mad trick is this?
What--"

He saw indeed the face of Will Law inside the carriage, a face pale,
melancholy, and yet firm.

"Get you back into the city!" cried Will Law. "This is no place for you,
Jack."

"Boy! Are you mad, entirely mad?" cried Law, pushing his way directly
into the carriage and reaching out with an arm of authority for the
sword which he saw resting beside his brother against the seat. "No
place for me! 'Tis no place for you, for either of us. Turn back. This
foolishness must go no further!"

"It must go on now to the end," said Will Law, wearily. "Mr. Wilson's
carriage is long past due."

"But you--what do you mean? You've had no hand in this. Even had
you--why, boy, you would be spitted in an instant by this fellow."

"And would not that teach you to cease your mad pranks, and use to
better purpose the talents God hath given you? Yours is the better
chance, Jack."

"Peace!" cried John Law, tears starting to his eyes. "I'll not argue
that. Driver, turn back for home!"

The coachman at the box touched his hat with a puzzled air. "I beg
pardon, sir," said he, "but I was under orders of the gentleman inside."

"You were sent for Mr. John Law."

"For Mr. Law--"

"But I am John Law, sirrah!"

"You are both Mr. Law? Well, sir, I scarce know which of you is the
proper Mr. Law. But I must say that here comes a coach drove fast
enough, and perhaps this is the gentleman I was to wait for, according
to the first Mr. Law, sir."

"He is coming, then," cried John Law, angrily. "I'll see into this
pretty meeting. If this devil's own fool is to have a crossing of steel,
I'll fair accommodate him, and we'll look into the reasons for it later.
Sit ye down! Be quiet, Will, boy, I say!"

Law was a powerful man, over six feet in height. The sports of the
Highlands, combined with much fencing and continuous play in the tennis
court, indeed his ardent love for every hardy exercise, had given his
form alike solid strength and great activity. "Jessamy Law," they called
him at home,