THE USES OF A SERVING-MAID.
A few minutes later I was in total darkness. But I did not sleep. My
mind was much occupied by what I had seen and heard. I tried to
understand the purport thereof, as seemed necessary at such a time.
Several facts were plain. Foremost in point of interest was that the
maid Mistress Nancy Molesworth was in the house. I fell to thinking
about her, and wondered much as to what she was like. From what I
gathered, too, she was not indisposed to receive the attention of John
Polperro, who had that night asked for her hand in marriage. But that
did not trouble me. What should I care whom she married? It was for me
to take her to Treviscoe, and thus be freed from my difficulties. The
maid's love was nothing to me. That was doubtless as changeable as the
wind. I remembered, too, that she was betrothed to Otho Killigrew. Then
there were three who wanted her. I laughed as I thought of it. I
imagined, however, that Restormel lands had far more to do with the
desire to get her than had her beauty or her goodness. The Killigrews,
however, for the present possessed her; but they did not reckon upon
me. She was well guarded, and perchance the sentinel in the corridor was
especially appointed as her watchman. The wench I had seen was perhaps
Mistress Nancy Molesworth's serving-woman. But what did that piece of
paper mean? What was the purport of the word written thereon? _Roche_--I
would bear it in mind. When morning came I would again examine the
thing. Perhaps it would reveal more to me in the light of day.
By and by I fell asleep without having formed any plan of action. But
when morning came, my mind was clear and my hand steady.
The window of my room faced the open country. Beneath me was a
courtyard, perhaps twenty feet down. There were also rooms above--how
high, I could not tell. As I opened the window the clear spring air
entered the room, likewise the sound of the sea. I discovered afterwards
that, like several others on this northern coast, the house was built
close to the cliff; but I could see nothing of it at the time. The sound
of the waves was pleasant to me, however, as was the smell of the
morning air, and I felt like singing for the very joy of youth, and
health, and strength. On remembering my mission, however, I became more
thoughtful; and, hastily dressing myself, I found my way towards the
dining-hall.
On walking along the corridor, no guard appeared. Evidently his work was
regarded as done; but all around me was the hum of voices. There were
doubtless eyes and ears around me of which I knew nothing.
Otho Killigrew was coming in from the outside as I came into the
entrance hall. He greeted me cordially, although I thought his face
looked anxious.
"You rise early, Roger Penryn," he said; "my brothers have not yet
appeared."
"The morning air was so sweet that I wanted to drink it to the full," I
answered, moving towards the door.
"I will go out with you," said Otho. "Endellion is a quaint old place.
Men build not houses so now."
We stood outside, and I looked on the grim gray building. Young Peter
Trevisa had described it rightly. An old castle still stood. It was
mostly a ruin, but well preserved. The house in which I had slept had
been modeled somewhat on the lines of the place which had been reared in
the far back past.
"It was built in the old feudal days," remarked Otho, nodding towards
the ruin. "The Killigrews are an ancient race."
"But the Killigrews have not always lived here?"
"The Rosecarricks have, and the Killigrews were mixed with them many
generations ago. Perhaps that is why the newer part of the house was
modeled on the old. I am glad the ruins stand so well. I have discovered
many a secret place. I love things old, too."
"Old systems, you mean?"
"Yes, I was not thinking of them then,--but do. I love the feudal
system. It is the only way a people can be knitted to a crown."
"But the Killigrews are not all in love with the crown," I suggested
meaningly.
"No; we are the only branch of the family who do not pay homage to the
new order of things. You are a Catholic, so I can speak freely. We long
for a Catholic king to reign. We keep up the feudal system somewhat,
too. Our tenants are bound to us; so much so, that we could raise many
men to help in a cause we espoused."
I changed the subject, for I saw whither he was drifting.
"The back of the house almost overhangs the cliffs," I said.
"Yes; there be several of a similar nature--Rosecarrick, Trevose,
Polwhele, and others. It was thought necessary in the old times."
He accompanied me around the building, talking in his careful measured
way all the time, while I examined, as well as I was able, the
particular features of the place. We had barely compassed the house when
a great clanging bell rang.
On entering the dining-hall we found breakfast prepared; but old Colman
Killigrew did not appear. Benet Killigrew met me, and examined me as
though he were calculating my strength. I could have sworn that he would
have liked to have challenged me to wrestle.
Presently Otho, who had left me, came back, telling me that his father
was too unwell to meet me at breakfast, but hoped to be well enough to
leave his bed-chamber when evening came; in the mean while, he could
trust his sons to assure me of his welcome.
Why, I knew not, but I felt somewhat disturbed at this; but simply
expressing my sorrow at his ill health, we sat down to breakfast. What
happened during the day was of little moment, only when night came I
reflected that never for a minute had I been left alone. Either one or
other of the Killigrews had been with me. It might only be a happening,
or it might be they had received orders not to allow me out of their
sight. Moreover, only one thing of interest had been mentioned, and that
appeared of no consequence. It was simply that old Anthony, the droll,
had left early. I should have thought nothing of this, only I had made
sure that he wanted to speak to me, and had moreover determined to ask
him the meaning of the story he had told.
Just before the evening meal I had a few minutes to myself, and was able
to reflect calmly on my position. If, as I suspected, the Killigrews had
determined to watch me, I must take bold steps at once in order to
accomplish my work. In this surmise I was right, as will appear
presently. But how to commence, was my difficulty. It was plain that
Mistress Nancy was closely watched; and as I had no thought as to what
part of the house she was kept, and as she knew naught of me, there
appeared no way by which I could speak to her. Besides, even if such
chance did occur, how could I approach her? To say the least, I was an
impostor, acting a lie in order to maintain my right to Trevanion. That
was the thought which galled me. For the rest, I cared nothing; but I
did wince at the thought of a Trevanion being afraid to tell his name.
I had almost decided to leave the house at once, and then think of
another way to accomplish my work, when I heard the rustle of a woman's
dress outside the door. In a second I was in the corridor, and saw the
same serving-maid I had seen the previous night. I slipped back into my
chamber again immediately, for coming towards her I saw Otho Killigrew.
"Your mistress, Amelia?" said Otho; "she is better disposed to-day, I
hope."
"She's fine and wisht," replied the girl. "She do set and mope oall day
long. She've bin worse to-day."
"Ah! Do you know why?"
"She seed Maaster John Polperro go way laast night."
Otho uttered a curse.
"She's so loanly, she've nothing to do. She've no books to raid, nor
nothin'."
"Tell her I'll go to Rosecarrick this night and bring some for her. I'll
take them to her."
"She waan't see 'ee, Maaster Otho," replied the girl earnestly; "but
p'r'aps it would soffen 'er ef you wos to git 'er somethin' to raid.
And, Maaster Otho."
"Yes, what is it?"
"I wish you would laive me go ovver to Church Town to-night. I waant to
see Jennifer, my sister."
"And what will your mistress do meanwhile?"
"She doan't spaik to me when I'm weth 'er, sur. Besides, I waan't be
long."
"Very well," replied Otho, after hesitating a little. "When do you wish
to go?"
"I might so well go after supper, sur."
"See that your mistress wants nothing before you go."
"Oall right, sur."
Instantly I made up my mind that I would speak to Amelia that night. I
felt sure that the maid was sister to Jennifer Lanteglos, whom I had
seen the previous night. She was going to Endellion village after
supper, while Otho Killigrew was going to Rosecarrick to get some books
for Mistress Nancy Molesworth. I must frame some sort of reason for
absenting myself early from the supper-table.
I do not think I should have accomplished this had not fortune favoured
me. Old Colman Killigrew sent word to say that he was not well enough to
sup with us, but would I come and speak with him after the meal was
over? My mind was made up.
Otho was silent during supper, but the other brothers talked loudly. I
joined in their conversation, and made myself jovial. Presently Otho
left without a word of explanation to any one; and no sooner had he gone
than I told the brothers of their father's wish that I should visit him.
They laughed at me, saying I was but a child at drinking; but I had my
way. As chance would have it, no sooner had I reached the great door
than I saw Amelia walking along a passage towards a small doorway I had
seen through the day. A few seconds later, I stood outside the house,
while the girl walked a few yards ahead of me. She did not go along the
main road, but down a narrow pathway. When I thought we were a
sufficient distance from the house, I spoke to her. It was a risk to try
and talk with her, doubtless, but nothing could be done without risk.
"Amelia--Amelia Lanteglos!" I said.
She turned sharply.
"No, Maaster Benet," she said, "you mustn't go wi' me. I shell screech
murder ef you do." I knew by her voice that she both feared and hated
Benet Killigrew.
"I am not Benet," I said. "I am a friend."
"You--you are the straanger?" she stammered.
"Yes," I said; "yet not such a stranger as you think."
In a few minutes I had won the girl's confidence. There are several ways
of making a serving-maid pliable. One is to appeal for her help, another
to make love to her, another to bribe her, another to flatter her. I did
the last. I told her I had heard what a faithful servant she was, how
much she was trusted in the house, and what a fine-looking maid she was.
This had to be done by degrees.
"You have a very responsible position, Amelia," I said at length; "and
it is well for your mistress that you love her. She needs your love,
too. What she would do without you, I do not know."
"No, nor I," said the girl.
"Your mistress needs friends, Amelia."
The maid began to cry bitterly.
"I wouldn't stay in the plaace but for Mistress Nancy," she sobbed at
length. "I caan't tell 'ee oall, sur. There be two of 'em that do want
'er, but she do 'aate 'em oall."
"And she loves young John Polperro," I said. "He's the one that ought to
marry her."
"How do you know, sur?"
"Never mind, I do know," I replied; "but say no word to any of them, or
it will be worse for your mistress."
"I wouldn't say anything for worlds, sur."
"Amelia," I continued, after much talk, "I am come here to help your
mistress."
"To help her, sur,--'ow?"
"I cannot tell you now. In fact, I can tell only her. Could you not
arrange that I could see her?"
"See Mistress Nancy Molesworth, sur?"
"Yes."
"No, sur. She is always watched. She caan't laive her rooms without owld
maaster knowin'."
"In what part of the house does she reside?"
The maid told me. It was in the same wing as that in which my own
bed-chamber was situated, but the floor above. The door which opened to
it was also watched.
"Are the watchers faithful?" I asked.
"Sam Daddo and Tom Juliff, sur. They'll do nothin' but what the owld
maaster do tell 'em."
"But why is she watched so closely?"
"She've tried to git away once, sur. Tha's why."
"Then she loves not the Killigrews?"
"She haates 'em, sur. But I caan't tell 'ee oall."
I tried to devise a means whereby I could see her, but none were
feasible. Force could not be used until flight was arranged, and that
was not done. Indeed, I had not seen the maid yet.
"But," I said, "doth your mistress have no outdoor exercise."
"She cannot go out except one of they Killigrews go weth 'er, and so she
doan't go at all. The last time she was out, Master Otho went wi' 'er.
She waan't go no more now."
"But she will die cooped up in rooms where she hath no fresh air."
"She sometimes walks on the leads at the top of the 'ouse; but that's
oall."
"How does she get there?"
"There's a stairs from the room."
"Ah! But there must be other ways of getting to the roof."
"I doan't knaw, I've only bin there a vew months. I wudden stay now but
for Mistress Nancy."
"But I can trust you, Amelia?"--and then I satisfied myself that she
would be secret. "Tell her," I continued presently, "that if she values
her liberty or her honour, if she cares for John Polperro, to be on the
leads to-night at midnight. If I do not get there it will be because I
cannot."
With that I left the girl, and hurried back to the house. I entered the
side door without notice, and then made up the broad stairway towards
the room in which I had been told old Colman Killigrew slept.
"Will you tell your master that Master Roger Penryn waits to see him?" I
said to the man who paced the corridor. I gave my false name without
wincing this time, for my blood was tingling with excitement. The
thought of seeing Mistress Nancy Molesworth, together with wondering
what the outcome would be, made me eager for action.
A few moments later I entered the old man's room, prepared to answer any
question he might put. He eyed me keenly as I entered, but spoke scarce
a word for several minutes. Little by little, however, he got to talking
about King George, and the feeling in the country concerning him.
"You say Hugh Boscawen is busy raising an army?" he queried presently.
"Do volunteers come quickly?"
"But tardily," I replied. "Cornish folks love not the thought of a
German wearing the crown and spending our money. Moreover, the Catholic
feeling is strong."
"Say you so?" he queried, fixing his eyes on me. "What indications be
there?"
"It is fully believed that Master John Wesley is a good Catholic and
that he is labouring in the interest of the Catholic Church, having
authority from the Pope; and everywhere he is gaining followers,
everywhere people be forsaking the parish churches."
He nodded his head gravely.
"It is rumoured that young Charles is planning to get to England even
now," I continued. "If he but leads an army, the people will, if they
have encouragement and a leader, flock to his standard."
"What steps have you taken in the neighbourhood of Falmouth?" he asked.
"I have simply spoken with the people. I am but poor. I am the only
representative of a small branch of my family. What the cause needs is
an old and well-known name. We want a man who can place himself at the
head of five hundred good swords--one who can gain the confidence of the
country."
"Can you name the man?" he asked, keeping his eyes on me.
"Colman Killigrew," I replied boldly.
"Is my name known so far away from here?"
"Else why should I come here?" was my response.
After this he asked me many questions about the Penryns, which I
answered readily, for I knew them intimately.
"You heard of me; and hearing that young Charles was coming to claim his
own, you thought----"
"That the hope of the country lay in you."
"What force could you raise in your part of the country, if the need for
men should arise?"
I answered him vaguely.
"It is well you came, Roger Penryn," he said, after he had asked me many
questions. "The rumour you have heard concerning young Charles is true.
He will land in Scotland; and there is no doubt that the Highlanders
will flock to his standard. He will then march southwards, and there is
but little doubt but he will have a great following. There will be much
opposition too, for many people comprehend not the glories of the
Catholic faith. He will need every good sword he can command; hence the
need for the faithful to be ready."
I nodded my head, but spoke not, for I was already tired of playing my
part.
"We will work quietly," continued old Colman Killigrew. "While Hugh
Boscawen is publicly gathering his men, you and others will have to work
in the dark. But no time must be lost. Now that we understand each
other, you must begin at once to gather the defenders of the faith and
be ready for action. Not that we would be discourteous," he added
quickly; "you must stay with me at least another day."
"It is well," I replied; "you are well situated here. This should be a
stronghold in time of trouble."
After this I asked him many questions about the castle, and what secret
rooms there were. I asked him, too, the means by which the roof could be
reached in order to make use of the battlements; but concerning this he
would tell me nothing. Indeed, as I afterwards reflected, he had told me
little but what was common rumour.
I did not join the younger Killigrews that night. I wanted to be alone
to think, and to devise means whereby I could reach the roof at
midnight, and so talk with Mistress Nancy Molesworth. I therefore got
back to my bed-chamber with all speed, and spent some time in musing
quietly.
I examined the situation of the chamber with much care. Underneath me,
as I have said, was a courtyard, but to the left were the ruined walls
of the old castle. If I could reach them I might find means of climbing
to the top of the newer portion of the house; but it seemed impossible.
I knew that a sentinel guarded the passage, otherwise I would have made
my way up the stairway I had seen. I silently opened the door and
examined the corridor in the hope that I should see some other means of
carrying out my wishes; but the man was wide awake and watchful. All was
now quiet. Evidently the family had gone to bed. I thought once of
creeping along by the wall, and disabling the man called Sam Daddo who
stood there. But that must necessarily mean noise; besides, the time was
not ripe for such an action. I could not take away the maid Nancy
Molesworth that night, and the man's disablement must lead to many
questions on the morrow.
So I crept back into my chamber again. My candle had gone out, but the
moon shone almost as bright as day. The window of my room was not large,
but I could at a pinch have squeezed my body through. It was divided
into two parts, the division being made by a granite upright.
"This is a big chamber," I mused; "surely there should be another
window." Then I remembered that I had examined every crevice of the
place with the exception of the walls behind the big bed on which I had
slept. The window faced the east, but the head of the bed was against
the northern wall. I tried to peer behind it, but could see nothing.
Then making as little noise as possible, I lifted the thing away. Having
done this, I saw an aperture which looked as though it might have been
intended for a second window.
"This is well," I thought, pleased at my discovery. "Mistress Nancy
Molesworth, I think I shall see you to-night."
For by this time the spirit of adventure fairly possessed me, and,
forgetting everything save my purpose to see the maid, I pulled away the
boards which had covered the opening. This done, the light shone in, and
I soon found that, although the hinges were sadly rusted, they yielded
to pressure. A few seconds later my hair was fanned by the breezes
outside, and my eyes were eagerly measuring the distance between me and
the walls of the old castle upon which I looked.
"It can be easily done," I thought, and without hesitation I put my feet
through the opening; and then, placing my arm around the granite
upright, I managed to get the whole of my body outside.
A moment later I stood on the ivy-grown walls of the old castle.
My heart gave a leap, for I heard the sound of a deep-toned bell. Was my
action discovered? I soon reassured myself. It was only the clock
striking twelve. I looked around me for means of ascent, and then I felt
I had undertaken a fool's task. Would the maid come on to the roof at
the bidding of a stranger? Would she listen to me, even if she did
come? But it was not for me to think of that. I had promised to be
there, and I would go--if I could.
I carefully crept along the ivy-grown walls, eagerly looking for a means
of ascent, for I knew that if I were to see the maid I must act quickly.
Even now it was past the hour I had promised to meet her. The night was
very bright, but I could see nothing to aid me, and I began to upbraid
myself as a childish fool for promising what I could not fulfil, when I
spied an iron pipe fastened to the wall. The battlements were perhaps
twelve feet above me, and this pipe was by no means easy to reach. I
would get hold of the thing, and by means thereof would climb to the
roof.
No sooner had the plan entered my mind than I prepared to execute it.