![Astbury found himself looking into the black muzzle of a great horse pistol. Frontispiece] [page 102.](https://oldbook.b-cdn.net/kitaplar/6/pg58755-h/images/img-front.jpg)
Astbury found himself looking into the black muzzle of a great horse pistol.
Frontispiece] [page 102.
A LOST LEADER
A TALE OF RESTORATION DAYS.
BY
DOROTHEA TOWNSHEND.
"And I but think and speak and do
As my dead fathers move me to."
R. L. STEVENSON.
ILLUSTRATED BY HAROLD PIFFARD
PUBLISHED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE GENERAL LITERATURE
COMMITTEE.
LONDON:
SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE,
NORTHUMBERLAND AVENUE, W.C.;
43, QUEEN VICTORIA STREET, E.C.
BRIGHTON: 129, NORTH STREET.
NEW YORK: E. & J. B. YOUNG AND CO.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER
Prologue—"Under which King?"
I. Vae Victis!
II. A Noble Enemy
III. The End of a Regicide
IV. The Pleasant Isle of Avès
V. Hidden Worth
VI. An Old Acquaintance
VII. Fate at Work
VIII. The Queen returns to Hunstanton
IX. A Precious Thing discovered late
X. Escape
XI. A Candid Minister
XII. The Ghost of Hunstanton Place
XIII. A Visionary
XIV. Fate's Sequel
Notes
A LOST LEADER.
PROLOGUE.
"UNDER WHICH KING?"
One December evening, in the year 1648,the little town of Farnham showedunusual signs of life. Troopers weredismounting and leading their horses awayto their stables, or were lounging at the doors of thehouses where they were quartered, and a crowd ofcurious country folk and villagers gathered to stareat them, and even to put questions to the moreaffable-looking of the steel-coated soldiers.
The press was greatest round the entrance of ahouse of the better class that stood back from thestreet with all the dignity that a flagged forecourtand a couple of high brick gate-pillars could lend it.
There the sentries, who were stationed at thedoor, had some ado to keep back the curious throng,and many a sturdy country farmer shouldered hisway into the house in the wake of his squire to catcha glimpse of his king, the ill-fated King Charles, whowas to rest that night at Farnham on his last journeyfrom the prison at Hurst Castle to the scaffold atWhitehall.
"Be there no chance of seeing his bless