CROSSING THE RUBICON.
I must confess to being startled by this proposal. I had not foreseen
it. That I should have to do with any woman formed no part of my plans.
As I have said, I hated women; I had not forgotten the lesson I had
learnt as a lad. Hence the suddenness of his proposal took me somewhat
aback.
But I did not betray my feelings. Instead I walked quietly around the
room, occasionally glancing at the two men who watched me closely.
"If I refuse to do this," I said presently, "you will of course make
good your claims on Trevanion?"
Both nodded.
"And if I consent, you will in payment for my services destroy the paper
I gave to Prideaux, give me back the deeds, and forgive the amount you
mentioned?"
"I will have papers drawn up to that effect," replied old Peter in
honeyed tones. "I will always be a friend to you, and render you any
little services in my power. You are but thirty-two. Think what a gay
life you could live!"
I saw what was in his mind. He thought I should continue my spendthrift
habits, and that as a natural consequence he would soon possess the
deeds again. But I said nothing. There was no need that I should.
Besides at that moment I felt a great desire to stay at Trevanion, and I
formed a resolution that if ever I got the deeds, I would never let them
go out of my possession again.
The matter required thinking about; and heedless of the inquiries I
still paced Treviscoe library, trying the while to read the two
Trevisas' motives, and understand the whole bearings of the case. I was
not long in forming conclusions.
"The Restormel estates are valuable, I suppose?" I said at length.
"There is some very good land on it," replied old Peter. "Molesworth
harbour is in it."
"Just so; and you mean that young Peter should marry this maid?" I
continued.
"And what then?" cried old Peter. "That's naught to you. You hate all
women, you say. You care not what may become of her if you have your
deeds back, and become a prosperous man?"
"No!" I replied, shrugging my shoulders. "I care not"; and yet I felt
uneasy, I knew not why.
"Besides the maid hates the Killigrews, hates 'em!"
"How do you know?"
"I've found out."
I must confess I did not like the work. The idea that I should take a
maid barely twenty-one from the man claiming to be her guardian, and
bring her to Treviscoe, the home of these two Trevisas, was repellent to
me. I was not over-particular what I did as a rule, but this caused a
nasty taste in my mouth. This Nancy Molesworth might marry young Peter,
crawling ugly worm as he was, that was nothing to me; what matter it who
women married? He might have the Restormel lands too, if he could get
them. Still, although I had given myself pretty much over to the devil
during the last few years, I did not like the thought that a Trevanion
should do the dirty work of a Trevisa.
Had they told me all? Why should they select me for this mission? And
why should they be willing to pay such a big price? There were plenty of
gangs of cut-throats in Cornwall who would do their bidding for a less
sum.
"You had better place this affair in other hands," I said at length.
"Haven't we offered enough?" cried young Peter.
"It's too dear at any price, I am afraid," I replied, and yet my heart
went out toward Trevanion as I spoke.
"You are prepared to give up your old home, discharge your old
servants, and become nameless then?" old Peter said, his ferrety eyes
fastened on me all the while.
"Others would do it cheaper," I replied; "far cheaper. Tom Belowda's
gang would attempt the work for a hundred guineas."
Young Peter lost his head as I spoke. "Could I trust the sweet maid with
a gang of roughs?" he cried; "besides, we should place ourselves in
their power, they would know our secrets."
"It would pay them not to tell."
"Aye, but a secret held by such ceases to be a secret."
I saw that my game was to hold back, and I continued to do so. The
thought of retaining Trevanion grew dearer each minute, but I did not
let them know.
"It's a difficult task," I suggested, still continuing to pace the room.
"Not so difficult for such as you," said old Peter coaxingly. "When you
Trevanions make up your mind to do a thing you do it, although the
furies stand in your way. You are as strong as a horse and if need be
could fight like a fiend from the bottomless pit. Not that there would
be any need," he added quickly.
"If it is so easy," I retorted, "let young Peter do this himself. He
says he loves this maid, and love," I laughed sneeringly, "overcomes all
difficulties. This is just the work for a lover. It smacks of far-off
days. Let Peter attack the castle like the knights of past ages, and
bear off his bride in triumph. He would make a fine sight carrying a
maid on his crupper."
I saw a look of vindictive hatred shine from young Peter's eyes, but he
said nothing.
"Peter is not fit for such work," was the old man's reply. "He was
delicate from a child. Riding wearies him, he has neither the strength
nor the daring necessary."
"You say that Killigrew has sons?" I said at length, a new thought
flashing into my mind.
"Yes."
"Many?"
"Five."
"Be they weaklings like you, or strong fighting men?" I said, turning to
young Peter.
"Strong men, giants," he said quickly, and then he tried to qualify his
words as though he were afraid that difficulties would hinder me.
For the first time I found pleasure in the thought of accepting the
mission. It fired my blood to think of doing battle with these sturdy
Killigrews. They were Papists too, and I had been taught to hate them
from my childhood. I longed for some reckless work to do. At first it
had seemed tame and mean to carry away a chit of a maid from Endellion
Castle, and take her to Treviscoe, that she might become the wife of
Peter Trevisa. I surmised, too, that young Peter thought quite as much
of Restormel as he did of the maid. But to go into a house where there
were five young fellows who were giants, and take away a maid who was
closely guarded, aroused all my love for adventure.
"What is this Endellion Castle?" I asked. "Is it one of the old Cornish
fortresses?"
"Part of the castle still stands," replied young Peter. "The grandfather
of the present Colman Killigrew built the present house adjoining it."
"It is well guarded, I suppose?"
"Yes," replied young Peter reluctantly. "Colman Killigrew and all his
sons are rebels at heart. In his father's days he and his family
supported King James; they long for a Catholic to be on the throne, and
there is a rumour that they are planning against our good King George."
"Hath anything been proved against them?"
"No, not proved, but matters look suspicious. Rumour saith, that should
there be a rebellion he could command five hundred swords. There is a
strong Papist feeling in the neighbourhood of Endellion."
"And the maid, is she a Papist?"
"Her father, Godfrey Molesworth, was a strong Protestant, but Heaven
only knows what they have persuaded her to be."
This information caused new thoughts to come into my mind, and I
determined to remember what he had told me.
"Are Colman Killigrew and his sons beloved by the neighbouring
families?" I asked presently.
"He is both beloved and hated. Some of the Catholics are his friends,
but others mistrust him sorely."
These matters came out slowly. Evidently young Peter did not care about
discussing them. Perchance he was afraid lest I should shrink from
trying to carry out his plans when I knew them.
I was silent for some time. I pondered much over what I had heard.
"All this should be nothing to thee, Roger, lad," said old Peter,
becoming more and more familiar in his tones. "All the Trevanions for
many generations have sought to help the oppressed. Thou hast the blood
of thy fathers within thee. This is work worthy of the best. Besides, if
thou wilt do this, both Peter and myself will befriend thee always.
Peter's heart went out after the maid, and he longed to set her free.
She is suffering, Roger, suffering greatly. Killigrew will rob her, and
sell her to one of his brutal sons. Such a work as we asked will win the
blessing of Heaven."
"Have done with this Quaker talk!" I cried. "I care nothing about such
things. Perchance the maid will be better off where she is than with
you; perchance, too, one of these Killigrews will make a better husband
for her than your puling lad."
"Nay, think not so," cried the old man; "Peter is a good lad, weak in
body, but quick in thinking, and hath a kind heart."
"I like a fight," I blurted out; "I do not object to a rough bit of
work, but----" I mused.
"But what, Roger, lad?"
"I hate aught that hath to do with women. This matter presents many
difficulties. I must get to speak with the maid, if she be as you say.
If not, I must carry her off by force. Anyway I shall have a wench on my
hand for days. I dislike this. I am no woman's man, and I should repel
her by my roughness."
Peter's eyes glistened. "But you would be kind to her?" he asked
eagerly.
"Kind!" I replied. "I would always treat a helpless maid with respect.
No man who is a man could be cruel to these poor things, who cannot
fight for themselves. Still one cannot trust women. Mostly they would
betray a man at a pinch even though he were fighting for their welfare."
"That is why we are anxious to have such a man as you to help us," cried
old Peter. "If we gave this to some, my lad would be eating his heart
away with jealousy. He would think they would be plotting to take her
away from him. But you, Roger, you have been badly treated by women,
therefore----"
"I should pay them scant courtesy," I interrupted.
"I know a Trevanion would always treat a well-born maid as she should be
treated. Besides----"
"Besides what?"
"If you promise to bring the maid here, you will bring her."
"Yes," I replied grimly, "if I promise."
"You are as clever as a lawyer, and strong as a horse," wheedled old
Peter, "and a Trevanion always keeps his promise."
To this I vouchsafed no reply, but I saw the old man's purpose in trying
to flatter me.
"Will you promise?" cried young Peter at length, after much more talk.
I considered the matter again. I thought of the Trevanion deeds, and
the forgiveness of half the debts my father had contracted. On the other
hand, I pictured myself going into the world a landless wanderer, after
having turned all the old servants adrift. It was not pleasant. Then I
tried to realize the work these two Trevisas wanted me to do. Should I
bring a maid, badly as she might be treated by the Killigrews (and I
much doubted this portion of their narrative), a maid well born and
beauteous, to be the wife of a crawling worm like young Peter Trevisa?
But this did not trouble me much. What did I care who she married?
Killigrew, a giant cut-throat, or Trevisa, a weak-chested,
knocked-kneed, sensual little vermin?--it mattered not. Neither did I
trouble much as to who possessed the Restormel lands. Still I was a
Trevanion, and a Trevanion hates dirty work--at least of that kind.
On the other hand, I loved adventure. The thought of spiting these
Killigrews and taking the maid from them, even though I knew little of
them, except that they were Papists, stirred my blood. True I did not
understand all the motives of the Trevisas in selecting me to do this
work, but that did not matter. I doubted much if the maid would consent
to marry young Peter, although I brought her to Treviscoe. That,
however, was not my business. Old Peter regarded his son as a handsome
man, with brains enough for two; I knew him to be a flat-chested, ugly
weakling with plenty of cunning.
"Have you made up your mind?" asked old Peter at length.
"Yes," I cried.
"You will undertake the work?"
"On conditions."
He got up from his seat and held out his hand to me. "Let's shake hands
on it," he cried.
"Not yet," I replied; "I must name my conditions first."
"Well, what are they, Roger, lad? Don't be unreasonable."
"First," I replied, "this business will need money. It may take many
weeks. I know not what will happen to me on the way. I must not go to
Endellion a moneyless man."
"We have thought of that," replied young Peter; "there are a hundred
guineas in this bag."
"That is well," I replied; "it is a stingy allowance, but it may
suffice. The next condition I make is, that you draw up a writing
stating what you have just promised me."
"It shall be done."
"Then send for Mr. Hendy, my attorney, without delay."
"Why?"
"That it may be placed in his hands."
"I--I cannot consent to that," cried old Peter. "I want no other person
to know our plans. I will keep the paper safely, lad, quite safely."
I thought I saw his cunning now. If they kept the agreement, I should be
quite powerless to claim my own, even if I did my work. I saw, too, why
they were so willing to offer liberal terms.
"If you refuse, I refuse," I replied. "I stake everything on this, Peter
Trevisa. If I fail to bring that maid here to Treviscoe, it will mean
that I am a dead man, for I swear that I will not give up while I am
alive. If I promise, I promise." This I said firmly, for I knew the
danger which attended my work.
"But I will do right, you may trust me," wheedled the old man.
"Maybe," I replied; "do as I say, or I refuse. I simply demand that you
write the matter down and sign it. On conditions that I bring the maid,
Nancy Molesworth, to Treviscoe, within two months, you give me back the
Trevanion deeds, the paper I gave Prideaux, and a declaration that you
forgive me the money you mentioned. If I do not bring the maid here in
that time, it shall be returned to you, and you can destroy it."
He tried to wriggle out of this, and brought forward as many objections
as if he were a lawyer. But I did not yield, and so at length, doubtless
believing they would be able to get the better of me, even if I
succeeded in my mission, he promised.
"Let us send for Lawyer Hendy at once, and then the matter will be
settled," he said, as though he were thinking of means whereby he could
keep me in his power.
"Not yet," I said; "there is yet another condition."
"No, no!" he cried; "I have made no more conditions."
"This will have to be complied with," I replied with a laugh, for to see
these men yielding to my terms made me merry.
"What more do you want?" asked old Peter after many words.
"I demand that Lawyer Hendy shall manage Trevanion while I am away," I
said. "If I do not return in two months you may conclude that I am dead.
In that case I demand that certain sums of money be given to the
servants who have served our family for many years." These sums I named,
also the servants to whom they were to be given.
"I agree to the first part of the condition, not the second," cried old
Peter.
"Why?" I asked. "Do you expect me to fail? Do you think I shall be
killed? Is the expedition so dangerous? A little while ago you said it
was very easy, and that I should be sure to succeed."
"But it is not fair," whined he. "In that case I should lose much money
for nothing."
"And I risk everything. You will have to do this only in case of my
death. I may lose my life, and you refuse to lose a few paltry guineas."
"I tell you I will not!" he cried.
"Very well, then you may get some one else to do your work."
"Then I will have Trevanion. Every stick, every field, every jot and
tittle will be mine, and you will have to leave the county a vagrant,"
shrieked the old man.
"No," I said firmly. "I will go to Endellion on my own account.
Possibly the maid might bring me fortune."
"But you promised you would not," pleaded young Peter.
"I promised nothing of the sort. I said I would tell no man. Neither
will I."
"But you hate women," he continued; "you have refused your lawyer to
marry a woman with money, even although it might save your estates!"
I laughed aloud, for this speech was uttered in a whining, yet savage
way, just like a dog who is afraid whines, showing its teeth all the
time.
"I did not know then what I know now," I said with glee, for it was a
pleasant thing to see these scheming money-grubs having the worst of a
game.
They wriggled and twisted finely for some time, and then consented, as I
knew they would, for I saw from the beginning that they had concocted a
scheme which would mean much profit to them. Besides I believe that
young Peter was really much in love with the maid Nancy Molesworth. So
Lawyer Hendy was sent for, old Peter trying to ply me with wine the
meanwhile. In this he did not succeed, however, for I felt I must not
lose my head, and thus be led to do foolish things.
We drew up the papers as I had stipulated; they were signed by both
Peter and his son, and Lawyer Hendy was given full instructions.
On leaving, I took the money old Peter had offered me and counted it
carefully.
"You will do your best, Roger; you will not break your promise?" he
said tremulously.
"I do not break promises," I replied.
"When will you start?"
"To-morrow morning!"
"God bless you, Roger."
"I am not sure He can while I do your work," I replied.