"Those men raided my little farm, yonder, before you came; they

rudely kissed my wife by force; they killed my chickens, milked my

cows, and destroyed my garden. Afterwards they talked freely enough.

I know the whole plan, and would have got to you and warned you of it

had they not kept me in close ward. They are to take the lady to

King James at Sunderland, or Monkwearmouth."

"You hear, my lord!" I cried to the Earl triumphantly.

I opened the King's purse, got out some of the King's guineas, and

passed them over to the faithful man.

"Here's for you," said I.

"That will pay for the chickens and the milk and the other things,

except the kiss and the insults to my wife."

"And who took them?" I asked.

"The man in the lead."

"I shall add your score to mine, my friend, and, rest assured, he

shall pay high for both. Tell your woman so."

"I'd rather assist in the paying myself, your honour," said the

Scotsman. "You see, sir, I am an old soldier and have been to the

wars; I can wield a heavy claymore still; my ancestors have fought

alongside Lord Clanranald's; if you wish me, I will go with you."

I looked at the man thoughtfully. He was a stoutly-built knave, of

medium age, with a dependable honest look out of his eyes that

promised well.

"Have you a weapon?"

"I have at the farm."

"Get it, then."

"But my wife?"

"Have you any children?" I asked.

"None; we were married a few weeks since," he answered, smiling.

"Bring her along if she will come," I answered, "and make haste."

He saluted, turned, and ran back through the trees.

"Surely you are not going to encumber yourself with a woman in this

desperate venture?" protested Lord Clanranald.

"First hear my plan. With some of this money you, sir, are to get a

ship; buy it, charter it, steal it if necessary. You will find what

you want in Leith, doubtless. You can also enlist a half-dozen

sturdy Scotsmen who can be depended upon, and you will make the best

speed you can to Sunderland Harbour and wait there for me. If I do

not bring Lady Katharine off to you, it will be because I am a dead

man."

"We shall do as you say without fail," said the Earl. "Ours is the

easier part, but how will you recognise us?"

"We must arrange upon some signal," I answered, reflecting.

"I have it," said the Earl. "We'll paint upon the mainsail my

device,--a bleeding heart pierced by a long sword."

"Excellent; but if it should be night?" I queried.

"Three lanterns set as a triangle--a red one at the top, the others

white."

"Admirably devised."

"But the woman, gentlemen?" said Master Dunner.

"Lady Katharine might need the assistance and companionship of a

female in a ship full of men; she shall go with you, and the man I

will take with me.

"Would that I could go with you instead," said Lord Clanranald.

"Nay, my lord, you have not the physical strength to ride as fast or

as far as I."

"My wife, your honour!" cried the man who had given us such valuable

information, now coming back to the road, while following close

behind him tramped a young and pretty country wench, tearful and

excited.

"I am Sir Hugh Richmond," I began, inclining my head politely toward

her as I spoke. I have ever believed in treating women with

courtesy, whatever their rank. "My wife hath been abducted by King

James; the man who insulted you has taken her to him, and I ride

forward to take her from his hands and to avenge the insult that hath

been put upon us. The Earl of Clanranald here is to take ship at

Leith and meet us at Sunderland, where King James awaits my wife.

You, dame, will go with him. What is your name, friend?"

"Macleod, sir," he answered, "and this is Alison, my wife."

"Lady Katharine's horse is yonder; he is something light for you, but

he will carry you well, I have no doubt. Now let us be about our

business quickly."

"I shall be off Sunderland before you come," said the Earl. "I'll

follow hard on the heels of yonder vessel."

"And I shall board you with your daughter and my wife, or you will

know that I am a dead man and she is past saving."

"In that event, King James shall still reckon with me," said the Earl

resolutely. "Good-bye, lad, and God bless you. Mistress Alison,

Master Dunner will take you up behind him. I will gallop on ahead."

"Good-bye, good friends all," I answered, saluting them.

"May God give us success!" responded the gallant old nobleman,

lifting his plaided bonnet in return.

He turned away, followed presently by Master Dunner, with Mrs. Alison

riding on the croup. I sat my horse a moment and stared out to sea

at the little boat bearing my wife away; then I turned, clapped my

hat more firmly on my head, gathered the reins more tightly, and

looked at my new friend with his long sword.

"Come," said I.

"And God help that man if he falls in my hands," he said.

"And God help the King if he falls in mine," I replied, cantering off

to the south.

_Chapter_

XIV

_Wherein, by the Grace of God, our own Determination, and the Speed

of our good Horses, we reach Monkwearmouth in Time_

I do not believe that any two men ever pushed horse-flesh to a

greater extremity than did Macleod and I on that journey south. I am

reputed to be a cool man, and it would be idle to deny that, having

been rather severely tested a great many times in the course of my

life, I had earned the reputation, especially as more than once that

life had depended on my skill with my sword or my quickness with my

pistol. Accordingly, I fancied myself as well able to preserve my

equanimity in times of stress and strain as any man in England, but I

declare that I never was so thoroughly aroused and excited in my

life. Our horses were in a constant lather of sweat and foam, but

the journey was just as hard on the riders as upon the ridden.

Macleod was a grim old soldier, and he seemed to catch some of my

determination. Lady Katharine's horse had been a good one, else he

would have foundered long since, and he kept pace with my spirited

bay, which had carried me often in the wars and whose mettle and

endurance I knew by heart. It hurt me somewhat to push the horses

the way we did, but I was playing for greater stakes than were to be

measured by one horse's life, or many for that matter. I had to get

to Sunderland before, or at least by the time, my wife arrived there

by sea.

Going by land, naturally I should have outspeeded the ship easily had

luck not been so cursedly against me. In the first place, it had

rained, some of the roads were almost impassable, and some of the

bridges were washed out. We pushed on frantically, scarcely allowing

ourselves time to eat, snatching a few moments' rest here and there,

more to breathe the horses than to sleep.

It was, therefore, three days and a half after our departure that we

staggered into Monkwearmouth, and drew rein before the Boar's Head

Inn, hard by old Saint Peter's Church. I was familiar with the

village and the town of Sunderland across the river, where in all

probability we should find the King. Before I was promoted to the

Royal Guards, I had been in garrison at Sunderland Castle. This

knowledge would stand me in good stead. I am a man who remembers

those things, and I was glad that King James had elected to meet his

pander at Sunderland. Of course I run some risk of being recognised

there, but it had been half a score of years since I had visited the

town and I had little to fear from that chance; little or much,

however, that risk of such recognition had to be run.

It was close on to noon when we reached the Inn. Requesting food and

a good rub-down for our tired horses, which Macleod was to look to,

and ordering dinner to be served in a private room and to be ready

within an hour, I made my way to the waterside. I had carefully

fixed in my mind the lines of the brigantine which had carried away

my wife, and I was concerned with anxiety to see if she were in the

river yet.

There were a number of ships on both sides of the river: some tied up

at the wharves and quays, others anchored in mid-stream. Not one of

them was the vessel for which I looked. I was most careful in my

scrutiny, and I could swear that I was right. This gave me great

relief and satisfaction; I was in time.

Indeed, in spite of our delay, we had pressed on so furiously that it

was most probable that we had arrived a little ahead of them, for out

at sea I discerned several specks that might be ships, one of them

possibly the brigantine carrying my wife. The tide, however, was

beginning to ebb, and it would be five or six o'clock at least before

they could beat up against the off-shore breeze and anchor abreast

the town.

Mightily comforted by my observations, I suddenly bethought me to

make my assurance double sure--as Master Shakespeare saith--for I

repaired to the office of the harbour-master and demanded speech with

that functionary. I was still wearing my guardsman's uniform. I

intended to change it for a more sober and less distinctive garment

at the first opportunity, but I was glad now that I had not yet done

so, for it won me instant respect and prompt answer from the old

sea-dog who had charge of the water-front and the shipping. I threw

prudence to the wind and questioned him freely.

"Hath Lord Stenwold and a party from Scotland arrived with a prisoner

for the King? 'Tis an affair of State which, of course, you will not

mention."

"Not yet, your honour," answered the man, "but I expect them in with

every tide; their vessel is in the offing now, I believe."

"And how long do you think it will be before they make a landing?"

"With wind and tide against them, sir," he answered, squinting

seaward down the river, "'twill be close on to seven o'clock before

they are abreast the castle."

I threw him a coin--one of King James'!--for his civility, whereat he

thanked me profusely, and, bidding him not to mention it to any one,

I wrapped my cloak around me and walked off again. Whatever I was to

do, must be done under cover of the night. I was quite capable of

confronting the King in broad day, to kill him if he had wronged a

hair of my wife's head, but I was there to save her rather than to

avenge her, and I did not propose to run any unnecessary or foolish

risks, not because of fear for my person, but because I was bent on

carrying out my plan for her dear sake.

Therefore, I went calmly back to the Inn and partook heartily of a

most noble repast. The landlord himself waited upon me, and when I

whispered that I was on the King's business, but the matter was to be

kept secret, seeing my uniform as confirmation, he was vastly

flattered and promised ready compliance with any duty I might lay

upon him. I assured his silence and good faith by a covert threat

that His Majesty himself would resent any discussion of my presence

among the gossips in the village.

In the course of conversation, I learned, to my great satisfaction,

that His Majesty had that day chosen to lie at Stenwold House instead

of Sunderland Castle.

This was an ancient seat belonging to my lord of that name, which had

been graciously put to the disposal of this Royal Majesty, while its

owner did the King's evil errand. I learned more, too: namely, that

Jeffreys, he of the Bloody Assize, was also in Sunderland, where he

had been holding his outrageous court. The landlord characterised

him as:

"A royal good gentleman, your honour, fond of wine and woman and

gaming; hath been here in this very hostelry of mine three nights

a-running."

I knew something of the loose habits of the bloody villain, which,

indeed, were no secret to any one well informed as to the doings of

the court, and so far as I had formulated any plan I had counted upon

this knowledge. For once Fortune was playing in my hands.

"Think you he will be here to-night?" I asked, disguising my

eagerness by assumption of indifference.

"Ay, 'tis more than likely he will be, your honour."

"Very good," said I. "When he comes, apprise me of the fact without

mentioning it to him; I would fain surprise my lord--by the King's

command! His Majesty loveth a jest and we have set a pretty trap for

the Lord Chief Justice. 'Tis a wager, understand?"

"Certainly, your worship," answered the landlord, rising to the

question like a gudgeon to the baited hook as I slid a coin--another

of the King's hoard!--carelessly over the table to him. Like all

Englishmen, he was full of sporting blood and dearly loved a bet. "I

understand, your excellency," he said as he pouched the guinea, which

also he dearly loved. "Trust me, sir."

"Now, another favour," I continued. "My man, here, is from the north

and is unfamiliar with the shops of Sunderland; would you execute a

small commission for me?"

"With pleasure, your excellency."

"We have ridden hard on the King's service and have left our mails

behind,"--which was true enough, by the way,--"I want a suit of

apparel. Canst get it for me among the shops of thy friends in

Sunderland?"

"I have a brother in the trade and all the gentry of the county

buy..."

"Say no more," said I. "There are ten guineas,"--again more of King

James'!--"get me the best you can, something quiet and unobtrusive,

rather suited for out-door use than for the court, yet rich and

elegant, such as a gentleman should wear. You are about of my own

build, although somewhat stouter; what fits you will doubtless

suffice for me."

"The amount is ample for the purpose, your excellency," said the

landlord, taking the money; "indeed, much more than..."

"Whatever is unexpended you may keep for your trouble."

"Your excellency overwhelms me," returned the delighted man. "They

shall be here within the hour. I am proud to be much of a size with

your honour."

"Very good," said I, "and, mind, no talking--by order of the King."

"I shall be silence itself," returned he, turning to do my errand.

The rain of golden guineas which I had produced so generously on

every occasion was having tremendous effect upon him. Only the very

great or the very noble could, in his mind, thus indifferently

dispose of precious treasure. It was money well spent, however,

since it made him entirely submissive to my will.

"Go now, then," said I, "for I am in something of a hurry."

The landlord instantly bowed himself out, and I could hear him

bustling about in the public room, bawling for his coat and hat with

vast importance, while making ready to execute my commission.

"What think you, Macleod?" said I, rising from the table and bidding

him take my place and fall to on the ample remains of the meal; "is

the man true?"

He was a shrewd observer, this Scotsman, I had found, and I wanted

his judgment on this important point.

"A good deal depends upon this landlord," I added.

"So long as you rain guineas upon him, you've got him body and soul,

your honour," he answered drily.

"Thanks to the King," laughed I, lifting the still rather full purse,

"the fountain has not yet run dry."

We had divided it equally between Lord Clanranald and myself ere we

parted at Cockenzie, and, though I had spent of my share freely, much

still remained.

"But it likes me ill," said Macleod covetously, "to see such good

gold lavished on such a wastrel."

"There will be plenty for us all," said I, "can I once win away with

my wife."

"I care not how plenty they be, sir," was his courteous answer, "a

guinea's a guinea, whether there be one or a thousand."

"Here's one for you then," said I, "since you like them so well."

"I no meant my words for that," answered the worthy Scotsman, "but I

will e'en take the guinea just the same."

"I am going to lie down now and get some sleep, and I recommend you

to do the same when you have finished your meal. Leave word that I

am not to be disturbed, and, if I do not happen to be awake at five

of the clock, you are to come and rouse me."

"Very good, sir," replied my good attendant, whom I had learned to

trust; "I'll first take a look at our horses and then I'll be blithe

to follow your honour's advice."

I left him finishing the remains of the meal and withdrew to an inner

chamber. Taking off my coat, and kicking off my riding-boots, I

threw myself on the bed, and for three hours I slept as sound as ever

I slept in my life. When I opened my eyes my watch told me that it

was now five o'clock. I had taught myself the valuable habit of

awakening whenever I wanted to when on service or in the field, and I

had the practice down to a nicety. I was very much refreshed from my

eating and sleeping, and, after I had given myself a fine wash in a

tub that I caused to be brought to me, I felt fit for anything, even

to the bearding of a king!

When I was ready for them, Macleod, who had also been asleep, brought

me the clothes the landlord had procured. It was a rich suit of dark

blue laced with silver, which fitted me well and seemed not

unbecoming, though I do look my best in the noble scarlet of the

Royal Guards, according to Kate, my wife. I put it on at once and,

finding it so satisfactory, I sent out another guinea to the worthy

Boniface, bidding him prepare supper for us. We sat down to it at

six o'clock. I waived ceremony on this occasion, and Macleod, who

modestly placed himself at the far end of the table, ate with me. We

both proved good trenchermen.

I suppose it was near on to seven o'clock when we finished. I had no

idea where we might get our next meal, and we were both of us old

enough soldiers to appreciate the prime importance of attending well

to the commissariat while we had opportunity.

It was perhaps half-past seven when we trotted away from the Inn

yard, both of us wrapped in long cloaks, with our hats pulled well

down over our faces and with our pistols carefully loaded and primed

in our belts. I did not intend to be caught napping by the King at

this time with empty weapons, as I had been by my wife before. We

made our way to the river-bank, and followed the road to the landing

in the direction of Stenwold House.

It was still light, and I observed a brigantine slowly beating up the

river. My heart leaped at the sight of her. I would know that ship

in a thousand. It was she. I raised my hand and shook it toward her

as she came slowly on. Stenwold and my wife would be aboard. I was

in good time, thank God!

For a moment I considered whether it would be possible to ambush the

party who would bring Lady Katharine to the shore and sweep her away

from them as soon as they landed. But I reluctantly abandoned that

idea. We two could do little with so many as they would be. We must

try strategy instead of force. I had devised a better plan.

I could not wait until the brigantine anchored, not even to catch a

glimpse of my Lady Katharine as they landed. We trotted at a sharp

pace back to the Inn, where the landlord gave me further interesting

news: he advised me privately that Lord Jeffreys had sent a messenger

there to say that he expected to pass the evening and the night at

the Inn,--I had intended to summon him myself otherwise,--he was

coming incognito, and a certain dame was to be notified to meet him.

I laughed.

"By the King's command, I'll be the only lady that he'll see."

"It will be a royal jest," said the landlord, also greatly amused.

"His Majesty will be much pleased when he hears of it," said I.

"I hope, sir, that the King may be pleasured, indeed," said he.

"No doubt of it," I returned.

"And you will tell him, please your honour, that I did my small part

to your entire satisfaction, sir?"

"I will see that your zeal is properly rewarded."

"What must I do further?" asked the delighted landlord.

"This," said I: "since his lordship is coming on an errand of

love,"--I paused; the landlord nodded,--"he will require a private

room in which to receive the person whom he expects to meet. Do you

contrive that I shall be there in her place."

"And what then, sir?"

"Nothing then," said I, laying my finger by the side of my nose. "I

shall do all the rest. My lord will require the room for the whole

night and must on no account be disturbed. The lady must not be

notified."

"You mean no harm to the King's Justice? Forgive the question, your

excellency," said the landlord, rather anxiously.

"'Twould be a hanging matter to meddle with him, my good friend.

Rest easy; his Majesty loves his Chief Justice and would not have a

hair of his head harmed. Know you my Lord Jeffreys' seal?"

"I happen to know it, for he hath despatched letters by me. I have

seen it on all papers I take from him, and his signet ring as well."

"Good! This is a most secret business," said I, "and, while you

would doubtless be well rewarded for your assistance, I would not

answer for your head should you betray me." I softened this threat

with another guinea--King James' again! "The King is a royal

paymaster," I added knowingly.

"Everything, your excellency," said the landlord, now completely at

my disposal, "shall be exactly as you wish it."

"And I myself," I continued, "am not without interest at the court.

This night the King will deny me nothing. I am sure you seem a man

to be trusted; there is a lady in the case, you comprehend?"

Of course he comprehended!

Presently I found myself in a very lofty and spacious chamber, the

best in the Inn. Adjoining it was a smaller bedroom, whose one

window looked upon the deep and silent close of the Cathedral, now

deserted. The chamber was admirable for my purpose. In the bedroom

I stationed Macleod. I had directed him to procure a quantity of

light yet strong rope, and by some means, like the faithful fellow

that he was, he had managed to obey my rather difficult order: he had

the most of it wound about his person. There were a number of

candles burning in the great apartment. I extinguished them all but

one, and, drawing back so as partly to be concealed by the window, I

loosened my sword in its sheath and waited for the coming of Lord

Jeffreys with what patience I could muster--but little, I will admit.

_Chapter_

XV

_Shows how the Lord Chief Justice of England kept a Love Tryst and

what befell him at the Boar's Head Inn_

It seemed hours, although really but a few minutes, before there came

a discreet tap upon the door. Before I had time to say a word, it

opened cautiously and the burly figure of a man muffled in a long

cloak entered the room. The door was closed behind him. He took off

his hat, unbuttoned his coat, and dropped it carelessly in a chair.

"'Tis so dark in here, Doll," he began, in a rough, hoarse voice,

"that I couldn't see a blush on your face, even if you could conjure

up one." He peered about him in the half-light uncertainly. "Why so

sparing of the candles?" he asked with a coarse laugh. "Come, no

tricks, you baggage; where are ye?"

He looked about him a moment more, fortunately not seeing me behind

the hangings, and then strode boldly across the room and laid his

hand on the bed-chamber door.

"Art couched already, wench?" he chuckled out.

As noiselessly as a cat, and with more swiftness than he had

exhibited, I had followed him and, as his hand touched the door

handle, I pricked him on the shoulder with the point of my sword. He

wheeled around with a marvellous swiftness for a man of his bulk and

confronted me. He did not yet recognise me in the dim light, but he

saw enough to know that it was the tall form of a man in the room he

expected to be welcomed to by a woman. He opened his mouth, but,

before he could make a sound, I said:

"Unless you want me to run you through with this blade, you will be

absolutely silent, sir."

I never saw a more ridiculous spectacle than he presented--his mouth

open, his fat face violently flushed. Like most bullies--not

all--this bloodthirsty jurist--God save the mark--was an arrant

coward. He shrank back against the wall and only stopped retreating

when further escape was impossible.

"Do you know what 'tis you are doing?" he growled. "You are raising

sword against the Lord Chief Justice of England; your life will be

forfeited, 'tis treason. I will have you hung, drawn, quartered.

Drop your blade instantly, knave," he went on, gaining courage as he

heard his own voice.

"I would not hesitate to raise this blade against the King himself,"

answered I coolly.

"What, sirrah..." he began.

He was so accustomed to browbeat helpless victims who came before his

court that his course was as natural as breathing, but I was not a

victim and this was not a court, as he should very soon find out.

"And I am quite aware," I interrupted, "of all that I risk. It

disturbs me not a whit. In faith, were I you, my lord, I would not

dwell too much on what may happen to me in future; your present

predicament is your chief concern. I advise you to give heed to it."

"Is it my money you want?" he asked, growing more and more alarmed.

"Nay," said I, "keep your hands by your side."

My sword made little circles about his throat. It was a trick of

fence I had learned and it added greatly to his discomfiture.

"Take away that blade," he pleaded.

"When it suits me," I replied.

I edged around him until I could reach the bedroom door. I knocked

upon it, and instantly Macleod presented himself. It pleased me to

see that he had his old and terrible Scottish claymore bared and

ready.

"Who is this?" asked Jeffreys, with a new accession of alarm.

"You will learn presently, my lord, that it is now not for you to ask

questions, but to answer them."

"What would you, sir?" asked Macleod of me.

"Lights," said I. "I have no doubt that Lord Jeffreys would fain

know whom he entertains; but first bolt the door into the hall."

"One shout," growled the Lord Chief Justice, "and I could arouse the

Inn."

"But you would be so sound asleep, my lord, on the next second, that

no shouting that I have heard would suffice to awaken you. Dost take

my meaning?"

"Curse you, yes!"

"Remember, then, to speak softly till I give you leave to call."

While I had spoken, Macleod had barred the heavy door precluding any

chance interruption; although I trusted to the landlord's zeal and

devotion to prevent that, it was well not to neglect any precaution.

Then, from the solitary candle, he lighted a number of others. My

back was to the light, but presently I moved to let it shine upon my

face.

"Richmond!" gasped Jeffreys, turning a shade paler under his red.

"The same, sir."

"What do you here?" queried the Lord Chief Justice. "You are a

proscribed outlaw; I can order you seized and executed without

formality of a trial; you have no standing in the court."

"I know that full well," said I. "I knew it before I heard it from

your lips, worthy master of the law, and therefore your repetition of

it affects me not at all."

"What do you want?" asked the frightened blackguard blusteringly.

"A small thing, an it please you--my wife."

"You fool," he muttered under his breath, "I haven't got her. Go to

the King."

"That I shall, sir."

The incautious admission of the Lord Chief Justice that I should seek

the King apprised me of what I had more than suspected, that he was

in the base plot.

"I mean I know nothing of her," he began, seeking to cover his

blunder.

"I am glad to find out from you where she hath been taken."

Jeffreys laughed. He saw that I knew, and that I was not to be put

off. Besides, his natural viciousness would not let him lose so good

an opportunity to taunt me, even at so great a risk to himself.

"The King hath some spirit, after all," he said meaningly.

"Now, by the God above us," I hissed, "I could kill you for those

words."

And, but I needed him, I would have done it then and there. The

world would have been well rid of so low and base a villain that

disgraced the judicial ermine that he wore.

"I did but jest," he said, in cowardly confusion. "It was the King's

will. I had naught to do with it."

"Don't jest that way again or I might indulge my own humour, which, I

assure you, hath a more biting point than yours;" and, as that point

was plainly visible to him, he could not have missed my meaning. "I

know perfectly well that you and that pander Stenwold are as much

responsible as the cowardly King, whom I have served long enough to

estimate at his true worth, or worthlessness. He hath exiled me, he

hath stolen my wife; I am no longer his man, but Prince William's,

across the water, and, when we come back, God help King James and

you!"

"I am sure," protested Jeffreys, "that I wish you well and..."

"No more of that," I said curtly.

"I'll e'en help you to get your wife," he ran on, "if..."

"I intend that you shall do so without conditions."

"But I am helpless here," continued my lord. "Release me and I will

go to the King..."

"I know a better way than that," I said.

"What way?"

"I will bring my wife from his Majesty's hand with an order from you,

my lord."

"From me? I don't understand you. I cannot issue orders to the

King, sir. You rave."

"Nay, I was never soberer. I shall tell the King that I have you in

safe ward; it will be her life or your life. If a hair of her head

is harmed, you shall pay."

"My God, man!"

"The King loves you, you say."

"Yes, but..."

"Have you no confidence in the reality of his affection?"

"Ay, surely, but..." he began, more feverishly.

"Enough," said I. "I have decided, and from my decision there is no

appeal to any court. On yonder table are writing materials; go to

it; write as I dictate."

"Nay, good Sir Hugh, I..."

"Hesitate but a moment and I will make your life pay before I have

ascertained that she has suffered. You know, Lord Jeffreys, that I

have nothing to lose."

"I'll write, I'll write, but be not so hasty with thy point,

Richmond."

"No more," said I. "Take the quill."

"What shall I write?" he asked, seizing the pen.

And thus I dictated to him:

"For God's love, Your Most Gracious and Royal Majesty, I am held

prisoner by Sir Hugh Richmond, who threatens me with instant death

should his wife suffer any mistreatment at Your Majesty's hands. I

have served you well, Sire; leave me not now defenceless in mine

enemy's hand. Sir Hugh is desperate; he will kill me. I fear me for

my life. Your most faithful humble servant."

He wrote it all down at my dictation.

"Hast finished?" I asked.

He nodded his head.

"Sign it."

He scrawled beneath it, "Jeffreys, Lord Chief Justice of England."

"Seal it," said I.

His hands trembled so he could scarcely drop the wax, his mouth was

so dry it was difficult to moisten the seal, but he managed somehow

or other.

"You never wrote truer words in your life," I said, taking the paper,

and the seal as well, and examining both of them carefully, keeping

him well covered the while, to see that he had played me no tricks in

his writing.

"What next?" he asked.

"Go into yonder room." I pointed to the bedchamber.

"I have done what you asked, you would not murder me now? The laws

of war require that a hostage be kindly entreated and..."

"I intend to lock you there until I have seen the King. Go!"

Seeing no help for it, he rose to his feet and entered the room,

followed by me and Macleod. Jeffreys continued to protest, but I

silenced him with that wonderfully bright persuader in my hand.

"Now that I have the letter," said I, "I care little whether you are

alive or dead, and, for the toss of a coin, I would rid the world of

you. But I am not a judge; being only a poor soldier, I'll keep

faith with you. Your life depends entirely upon your absolute

obedience; I must bind you securely."

He said no more, but suffered himself to be bound without resistance.

Macleod had brought plenty of rope; we lashed him until he was as

immobile as an iron bar; then we picked him up and laid him on the

bed and, with what remained of the rope, secured him so that he could

not move about or roll off to the floor.

"You will be enlarged, doubtless, in the morning," said I. "I wish

some of Monmouth's friends and followers whom you hounded to death

could see you now."

"For God's sake," he gasped, "if you must leave me this way, give me

a draught of wine!"

"Nay," I replied smilingly. "Here is something that will suit your

thirst and dry humour much better."

I crammed into his huge mouth, which he had opened gaspingly to

protest, a soiled towel which I took from the wash-stand. I rammed

it in hard and, with a piece torn from the sheet, I bound it down

around his head and neck. I thought my lord's veins would burst in

his forehead, he grew so purple.

"A pleasant night to you," said I. "And may the love of your King

secure your release in the morning."

We extinguished the candles, went out into the large room, and closed

the door. In a voice that Jeffreys within could easily hear, I said

to my man:

"You will stay here on this side of the door until I send for you in

the morning. If the prisoner by chance should get free of his bonds,

or should fall from his bed, or should make any outcry, go in and

kill him without further delay. You understand?"

"I do, sir, and it shall be as you wish," he answered loudly.

Macleod ostentatiously drew a chair up in front of the door and then,

as I had need of him and could not leave him there, he rose from the

chair and noiselessly followed me down the room. We extinguished the

lights in the outer chamber, and, having locked all doors, took the

keys with us. We had but little fear, unless some alarm was given,

but that the Lord Chief Justice would be quite safe for the night,

and that he was going to pass such night as he had never passed

before. We waited to see the landlord, and I bestowed upon him some

more of King James' his guineas. I showed him the letter sealed with

Lord Jeffreys' seal. He could not read it, but he recognised the

signet.

"I know that seal full well," he said, entirely satisfied by it.

"My Lord Jeffreys hath retired for the night, and upon no chance is

he to be disturbed until morning, unless I should come back or send.

He doth not wish the lady you know to be sent for."

"I understand," he said knowingly. He was a wise and understanding

landlord indeed!

"The door is locked behind us," I added, "and, if you value your

life, keep away from it and keep others away as well."

"Your excellency shall be obeyed."

By this time Macleod and the hostler of the Inn had brought around

the horses again. We mounted them once more and cantered down the

street until we struck the river road. So far everything had gone

without a hitch. The King lay at Stenwold House; my wife had been

recently brought there. Access to him would be difficult, doubtless,

but I now had means to open the gate and pass the guard. Once inside

it would go hard if I did not effect Katharine's release.

If Clanranald had succeeded in his part of the plan all would be

well. He ought not to be more than five hours behind the brigantine,

I thought. As we got away from the houses, we eagerly searched the

sea, and sure enough, between the far-away lighthouses on either side

of the river-mouth, there was a vessel. It was so dark we could not

have seen her had she not carried three lights set in a triangle, a

red one at the top! Clanranald was on time. The tide now

approaching full flood, he ought to be abreast Stenwold House in a

few hours. We set spurs to our horses and dashed on rapidly.

_Chapter_

XVI

_How My Lord Stenwold settled his Account and

paid his Debt in full_

Stenwold House stood on the bank of the river, about half-way between

Monkwearmouth town and the lighthouse on the point that jutted out

seaward far beyond. It was some distance from the outskirts of the

village, and I noted, as we galloped along, that the surrounding

country was lonesome and desolate.

I had at first intended to take Macleod into the castle with me, but

a better thought came to me as we rode. Long before we reached the

house I drew rein and, to Macleod's great and overwhelming

disappointment, I outlined exactly what I wished him to do.

"Upon second thoughts," I said, "I will not take you with me further.

Do you go back to the village and get a boat, a wherry that two of us

can row and yet one that you can manage yourself on a pinch, and

bring it to the river-bank under the walls of the castle yonder."

"But Lord Stenwold, sir," protested the worthy Scotsman, who

evidently would fain play a bolder part.

"I'll take care of him," I replied.

"I would like it well," persisted my attendant stoutly, "if I could

take the payment for that kiss myself."

"Do not fear, man," said I, "I'll take payment for us both, and,

unless I blunder strangely, he will never live to kiss another woman

after this night. You could not do any special good with me in the

castle. The two of us could not take the place by force, and, for

strategy, one is as good as two or a thousand--ay, better. You can

serve us all, and your revenge, best by providing the means of

escape. I am like to need it both sorely and quickly to-night."

"Yonder's our ship, sir," he said, silenced by my emphasis.

"Yes, I have marked her."

We both stared seaward at the lights. I was sorry that I had not

arranged some method of signalling the Earl, but none that I could

have thought of would have been practicable and, indeed, any attempt

at it would infallibly have betrayed us.

"Am I to rent, borrow, or steal a boat, your honour?" asked Macleod,

appreciating the fact that my decision, which was only common-sense,

was unalterable.

"You are to be here within the hour with the boat. I care not how

you get it. That's your own lookout, but get it. Don't fail me;

remember your wife is on that ship; and it might be convenient for

you to bear in mind that Lord Jeffreys has had ample opportunity to

familiarise himself with your face and figure as well as with mine,

and I would not give a penny for your life if you are in England when

he gets loose."

"I shall be there within an hour," answered the Scotsman stoutly.

"This horse, sir?"

"You can't take him aboard ship," I replied; "you must leave him

behind."

"Very good, sir." He half-wheeled his horse and then stopped. "You

are going on a desperate venture for your wife," said he; "if a poor

man might be so bold..."

His hand went out toward me rather tentatively in the darkness. I

waived the difference in rank at once--for that matter, I have ever

been willing to shake hands with honest men, even those of low degree.

"Good luck and God bless you, sir," he said earnestly.

"Thank you," said I. "Don't fail me," I repeated again.

"I will meet your honour in an hour, yonder," he replied.

With that he put spurs to his horse and galloped away. Now what was

I to do? It was evident that it might be difficult to get entrance

to Stenwold House, and more difficult to get access to the King. I

did not want to play my trump card, Lord Jeffreys' note, until the

last moment. Yet, what could I do without it?

If I had time, I might perhaps have managed to scale the walls in

some way and effect an entrance by stealth, but I had no time. Too

much had been wasted as it was. I judged it to be about eight

o'clock. I was morally certain that I would be in good time, but I

did not dare to tempt Fortune too long and too much.

I knew that King James would at first try cajolery and

persuasion--that was his usual method; not until they failed would he

try bribery, being a niggardly monarch, and only in the last instance

would he resort to force. I could picture accurately what was about

to happen, the course of affairs was clear to me, but to effect

anything I must get in the castle, and boldness was my only resource.

It was fortunate for me that the King had chosen to lie at Stenwold

House instead of the Castle at Sunderland, across the river. It

would have been difficult, if not impossible, to have effected my

purpose had he been there. Here it was easier. At most he would be

surrounded by but few of his guards; perhaps he would be depending

entirely upon Stenwold's retainers for protection. The King was not

more bold in his debaucheries and abductions than he was on the field

of battle or anywhere else, and it may be that some lingering sense

of shame might cause him to conduct his disgraceful amour in secret

when he could do it.

I did not stand still in the road making these reflections; on the

contrary, they came to me as I galloped swiftly toward the house.

The castle was an old one, built God knows how many centuries before

and added to from time to time. The rambling walls were surrounded

by a moat now gone dry, which was crossed by a drawbridge never

raised. I thundered up to the gate at full speed, flung myself from

my horse, knowing full well he was tired and would stand until

doomsday, unless driven away, in case I needed him again. And, with

the hilt of my sword, I knocked heavily upon the panel of the great

door.

A wicket-gate at the side was instantly opened and a man in the

uniform of the King's Guards peered through. Light was shed upon us

from a flaming cresset hanging over the arch of the main door; by it

I saw him plainly and recognised him, too. His name was Harkins; he

was a sergeant, an old comrade and friend who had been in my own

company of the Royal Guards. The recognition was mutual, but, before

he could speak, I interrupted him.

"Sergeant," said I, "you don't know me, you have never seen me

before, understand?"

"N-n-no, sir," was the astonished answer.

"Well, these are facts; get them in your mind," I insisted sharply.

"Very good, sir," he answered slowly, beginning to comprehend, "I

don't know your honour, I have never seen you before."

"That's it; you will be glad you did not recognise me to-morrow."

The sergeant nodded, he was not a stupid man. and he began to see

the reason for my strange course.

"And now," said I, "I am a messenger from my Lord Chief Justice, a

private messenger, who must see the King instantly. Lord Jeffreys is

now at the point of death, his life's in the greatest danger."

"But, your honour," stammered the sergeant, "it will be impossible to

see the King to-night. He's got a woman with him, and Lord Stenwold

himself keeps everybody from him."

"That woman is my wife," said I grimly,

"Good God, sir!" exclaimed the sergeant. "What do you want me to do?"

"First of all, admit me; then take me to the Officer of the

Guard--who is he? Do I know him?"

"No, sir, it is Leftenant Brayford; he's a new officer, your honour,

and he is at play with Ensign Scarlett in his quarters off the

guard-room. They are drinking too, sir."

"Good," said I. "That leaves you in virtual command of the guard?"

"It does."

"Go to Mr. Brayford, and tell him that an urgent messenger from Lord

Chief Justice Jeffreys desires to see Lord Stenwold on a most serious

business, and contrive that you shall be the one to conduct me to

him."

"I think that will be easy, sir," said the sergeant, closing the

wicket and marching off.

It was fortunate that I had found old Harkins at the gate; the man

had been devoted to me and was as faithful as the day was long.

Whether his devotion to me would overcome his duty to the King was a

thing I could not decide, and I stood there, leaning against the

rough stones of the wall, a prey to the intensest agonies of

apprehension I had ever experienced, lest I should be denied entrance

and stopped helplessly at the very beginning of the undertaking on

which so much depended. My relief was correspondingly great when the

door opened and honest old Harkins appeared again.

"I am to conduct you to Lord Stenwold, by orders from Leftenant

Brayford, who, with Mr. Scarlett, is well in liquor now, sir," said

the old soldier.

"This will cost young Brayford his commission, mayhap his head, I

fear me," said I under my breath.

"And me mine, as well it may be, Sir Hugh," answered Harkins simply,

but making no pause on that account.

"Man," said I earnestly, "I am off for the Low Countries to-night

with my wife, if all goes well. There is plenty of soldiering and

good pay there. We have served together for many years; come with

me."

"That will I gladly if you will take me, Sir Hugh," answered Harkins

earnestly, and evidently pleased.

"Good; if you serve me well in my great need this night, I promise

you shall never have cause to regret it."

"What do you propose to do, sir, if I may make bold to ask?"

"To take my wife from the King, even if I have to kill him."

"Good God, sir, I hope it won't need to come to that!"

"It is not likely," said I contemptuously. "The King will give way

before he dies."

"Yes, sir," answered the old man thoughtfully. "He ain't the bravest

King on earth."

"No, but we waste time."

"Very good; come this way, sir."

I muffled my face in my cloak and disguised my walk so that none of

the men on guard or lounging in the courtyard, waiting for their tour

of duty to begin, would by any chance recognise me. The sergeant

made his way quickly across the courtyard and entered the main

building, with me hard at his heels. We proceeded down a large hall,

up a long flight of steps, and into a vast apartment, at the further

end of which and before a door a soldier stood guard. We marched

straight up to him.

"Is Lord Stenwold within?" asked the sergeant in a low voice as the

man saluted him.

"Yes, sir," was the whispered reply, "and he hath left strict order

that no one is to disturb him on any account."

"There is a messenger here from the Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys,"

returned Harkins quickly, "who must see the King on a matter of life

and death. He must have access to Lord Stenwold; when I have turned

him over to my lord my responsibility ceases."

"But, sergeant..." began the man, unwilling either to disobey Lord

Stenwold's order or too obstinately to resist his sergeant.

"Enough," said old Harkins peremptorily. "You will take your orders

from me; I will relieve you at this door and guard it myself; you go

to the further end of the hall, station yourself outside yonder door,

and keep out anybody and everybody at every hazard till you are

relieved."

"Orders are orders," said the soldier resignedly, "but the

responsibility will be yours."

"It is mine," assented Harkins.

The man shouldered his halbert and marched down to take the post

designated--outside the entrance door, through which we had come, at

the far end of the hall. It had all been cleverly thought out by the

sergeant. I had not given him credit for such shrewdness. Whatever

happened behind that closed door that gave entrance to my Lord

Stenwold's retreat would have few auditors and all but one as far

away as possible. I thanked him with word and look.

"Now, your honour," said he, "it rests with you. I will keep this

door as long as I can; I will give it up to no one, unless the

Leftenant or the Ensign should make their rounds. I don't think that

likely, but the guards will be relieved at ten and you have but a

short time at your disposal."

"I do not want much time," I replied. "No matter what you hear, keep

fast by the door, unless I call you. I'll soon be back, successful,

or I'll be dead, in which case remember you do not know me."

"Very good, sir, and God help us all."

"Amen," said I.

The hurried conversation had been carried on in low whispers, so as

to give no possible alarm. I laid my hand upon the door.

Fortunately it was unlocked, and gave under my gentle pressure. What

had Stenwold to fear, and why should he lock himself in? All the

doors in Stenwold House were secret and noiseless, especially those

in my lord's private apartments. This one opened without a sound,

and, with a stealthy motion that would not attract attention, I

stepped noiselessly into the room.

This apartment was smaller than the other, which had been possibly

designed for a refectory in days gone by, and was evidently a

library. It looked toward the sea. Heavy hangings draped the

windows, a thick carpet lay on the floor. The place was richly

furnished and brightly lighted from many candles in sconces and

hanging lustres of candelabra. In the centre of the room, by the

side of a small table, reclined Lord Stenwold, in somewhat negligent

disarray, in a large and comfortable chair. On the table were

bottles and glasses and the remains of a meal. Lord Stenwold had

evidently just finished his repast. He was engaged in the pleasant

act of leaning back in his chair and yawning, stretching out his

hands the while. His back was toward the door and nothing had as yet

apprised him of my presence. I slipped my sword out of the scabbard

as gently as possible. I thought I made no sound, but evidently I

did, for he was on his feet in a minute and facing me.

"Richmond!" he gasped, in a low, strained voice, evidently not caring

or daring to arouse the King or the house. "Good God!"

His hand reached for his own sword, lying on a stool by his chair. I

could have spitted him then and there without risk or trouble, but it

was ever against my principles to attack an unarmed man, and I let

him seize his weapon. I said in a voice low to match his own, but

full of vengeance and hate:

"You vile pander, you have come to the end of your tether now."

Stenwold menaced me with his point and then sneered.

"Why, you fool," he exclaimed, "this is my house! I have but to call

out and the King's Guard will be on you in a moment. To-night His

Majesty would be private yonder with a lady. I would not have him

disturbed. Yield you at once. If the lady be in a melting mood, as

I doubt not, sweet remembrances of their pleasant love passages may

incline the King to clemency in the morning when you sue."

I needed nothing more, but, if I had, that last mordant insinuation

would have been enough. I advanced on him with such fury, forgetful

of everything, that he opened his mouth to cry out in his alarm; ere

he could do it, I whipped out a small pistol of French make, which I

carried ever in my pocket, and held it toward him in my left hand.

"You know," said I, "that I am a dead shot with either hand, and I

swear to God that I will put a bullet through your black heart if you

make a sound, if I am to be torn to pieces the next second."

"You have an advantage over me," said Stenwold coolly. He had

recovered himself and seemed a little ashamed of his lapse. "I have

naught but my sword."

To do him justice, the villain was brave enough, I knew; yet, as he

said, he was armed only with his sword.

"I don't intend to use the advantage," I replied, "unless you force

me to it. If you will agree to stand up and fight like a man and in

silence, you shall have your chance."

"Done!" said the man quickly. "My word of honour against yours, that

whichever of us dies does it silently."

I laid the pistol on the table on the instant.

"There's my answer. Now, on guard!"

It was no light task I had before me. Stenwold was one of the best

fencers in the King's realm; he and I had enjoyed friendly bouts many

times, although I never liked him, and more often than not he had

bested me, although I was counted something of a master of the white

weapon myself. In a scientific engagement he was pretty certain to

get the better of me, but this was _guerre à outrance_, and at that

sort of a game I felt I would be his master. Neither did I intend to

delay matters, nor did I desire to fill the room with noise of

ringing steel.

We fell easily into position; he made the first lunge at me, as I

knew he would. Contrary to the rules of fencing, I parried it with

my left arm, his point grazing through the flesh between my elbow and

shoulder, as I expected. Heedless of the pain, with that I closed

with him to his great surprise, and, before he could disengage or

divine what I would be at, I shortened my sword and drove it home,

through his heart.

It was quickly done and soon over. He reeled and threw up his hands;

I dropped my own blade to the carpet, which luckily prevented noise;

caught him in my arms and eased him down. He was stone dead by the

time I laid him on the floor.

I will admit that I felt no remorse whatever. The last taunt about

my lady had maddened me. I had killed him with as little compunction

as if he had been a rat, which indeed he was. Drawing his blade from

my sleeve, I laid it across his breast. Resuming my own sword, I

stepped to the piece of tapestry over the door which he had pointed

out to me, behind which I knew I should find the King and my wife.

_Chapter_

XVII

_In which Lady Katharine Richmond, at the Request of her Husband,

tells how she and Lord Stenwold came to Stenwold House_

At the request of my dear husband, Sir Hugh Richmond, I take up the

telling of this strange, yet true, tale for a little space. He did

the same for me when the narration of events was in my hand, and I

can do no less for him; besides, he is my true and lawful lord, and I

owe him duty and I pay him love unbounded, the more especially the

latter, because I so basely requited his affections by doubting him.

'Tis true it came from the suggestions of that devil Stenwold, and I

can scarce bring myself to believe that I would have entertained a

doubt of my lord and master if his, to me, inexplicable conduct, when

I was rushed away from him on the bluffs above Cockenzie, had not

somehow given colour to the suspicion. He sat his horse so quietly,

outwardly so indifferent to my appeals; with King James' his purse

hanging on the saddle bow, the price of my dishonour apparently; not

even lifting voice, much less drawing blade or striking blow for me.

What could I think?

Sir Hugh hath often assured me since that he quite forgives me the

suspicion, that he pardons the anger and resentment I harboured

against him, that it was thoroughly warranted. Being a woman, albeit

according to him a wonder among women and the best wife a soldier

ever had--such is his fond flattery!--he saith I could not be

expected to know what idea was in a mere stupid man's mind.

And I could not be blamed for not seeing that a husband at large and

free to effect my rescue was worth a thousand dead ones who had been

cut to pieces by a band of murderous villains before my very eyes.

By which he says he would have effected nothing and perhaps have

plunged me into deeper grief than was mine when I was dragged away

from him.

Besides all this kindness from my lord, I take some little comfort in

the knowledge that my father and Master Dunner also were deceived.

Still they did not love him as I, and I should have known.

Especially as, if I had thought, I would have known that in no way

could my lord have had any communication with the King since our

meeting. But who that is mad with jealousy and fear can think

clearly?

I could with more equanimity bear to see him dead rather than

dishonoured, as he seemed to me that afternoon when I was ravished

away. My fault, my grievous fault, lay in my failure to realise that

no power on earth could dishonour my lord. The mere fact that he

suffered himself in some degree to be put in this false position, and

to answer nothing, ought not at all to have worried me, who, though I

knew him but shortly, yet loved him and his greatness of heart so

well.

Sir Hugh says, it is nonsense for me to reproach myself for an

entirely natural and justifiable thought, but I do; and we

Clanranalds--and, although I am only a woman, I have all the pride of

race of the stoutest and best of them--have ever loved honour more

than life; and my husband's rank, if less exalted than ours, he being

but a simple Baronet while we are Belted Earls, is as old and

honourable as any one's. After all, I am sure it was that dastardly

Stenwold's persistent insinuations--if I may characterise his broad

and open remarks about my husband as insinuations--that made all the

trouble.

I was so torn between shame and terror and humiliation and fearful

anticipation, as I sat in the boat, that I was not mistress of my

mind. I was completely in the power of this creature of King James,

and my interview with the King at Durham had shown me that

defenceless, penniless, helpless, I had nothing good to expect from

His Majesty.

I heard the sailors speak of Sunderland, and I knew, therefore, that

the King had moved from Durham, perhaps to get out from under the

influence of the good Bishop, who had been my champion and advocate,

and, in all probability, his chief adviser now would be Lord

Jeffreys. God help the man or woman or child subject to his caprice.

I knew very well what the King designed for me, but I was quite

resolved what to do on that score. I would die without the least

hesitation before the King, or any one else, should possess me.

My husband might have been false to me, he might have taken the

King's purse, and perhaps be expecting future pay from the King in

exchange for me, but I was his wife still and I was a Clanranald, my

noble father's daughter,--we were not of the class from whom were

chosen mistresses for kings.

I was that desperate and reckless that, if I had or could come at a

weapon in my hand when the time came, I was resolved that I would

even kill the King myself. I had heard whispers of his courage, or

his lack of it rather, and I would gladly kill him rather than submit

to his desire, if there was no other way.

It was these desperate resolutions which enabled me to sustain, with

some degree of fortitude, my terrible situation. Indeed, my grief

was not so much on the score of the future as it was because of the

past. The doubt of my husband's love and honour bade fair to kill

me. I could take care of myself, and could throw away my life rather

than be clasped in any one's arms that had not the right.

Yet I blame myself, with abiding shame; and I still think had I been

given opportunity, had Stenwold kept silent, had I been left alone, I

might have recovered my faith and trust in my lord, but my captor was

constantly at my elbow with his infamous suggestions. Indeed, he

played his part well; I knew what he would be at--he wanted to make

it easy for the King--but in that effort he failed absolutely. Not

even the King himself could do that.

My resentment grew and developed to such an extent that I thought

grimly enough that Stenwold might as well introduce a wild animal

into the King's closet as to thrust me in there. But I dissembled my

feelings to some extent and took care to give my gaoler no faintest

hint of my determination.

I was treated civilly enough on the voyage, although Stenwold's every

look was an insult, and I felt my heart grow cold under his evil and

suggestive scrutiny; yet I knew that I had naught to fear from him.

In his mind I was meat for his betters. I was, therefore, under

little or no apprehension while on the sea. It was a small ship and

wretchedly uncomfortable, but I was a good sailor and, even if I had

been a bad one, I should have had too much in mind to have spared

thought to anything else, no matter what I might have suffered.

We made rather a quick passage to Sunderland. Indeed, the time

seemed frightfully short to me. Anticipating I knew not what,

maturing plans involving all sorts of desperate actions in my hard

situation, and trying to explain to myself my husband's lack of

conduct, I came at last to doubt, and I almost convinced myself that

he had not been a party to the outrage. But that conclusion involved

me in worse difficulty than before, for it almost forced me to think

of him as a coward, afraid to risk his life for my honour, unwilling

to die in my defence--God forgive me, my dear husband, that I so

wronged you, for cowardice in any man, and especially in the man I

honoured with my affection, seemed to me to be the unpardonable sin.

Oh, I was torn, maddened, during that voyage! Married in the

morning, separated at noon-day--what was in store for me?

It was dusk when we dropped anchor off Sunderland, and my Lord

Stenwold had the boat got ready. I followed him into it submissively

enough; it was either that or be carried; there was no use in my

making a profitless struggle then; I would save my energy and

strength for the crucial moment. A leaf out of my husband's book

that, had I but known it, which now makes my failure to understand

him the more blameworthy in my eyes. I shall never forgive myself

for it, although he hath assured me many times that he forgot it, as

he forgot everything else that had gone before, in the first kiss he

pressed upon my lips in Stenwold House that very night after such

exciting hours as I never look for nor want to pass again.

We soon traversed the short distance from the anchorage to the

castle. I marked, as we clambered up the bank and took the long walk

along the moat edge to bring us to the entrance to the house, which

fronted away from the water, that the brigantine got under way and

moved over to the Sunderland shore, as soon as the boat rejoined her.

Stenwold House lay on the north, or Monkwearmouth side, of the river.

I surmised that the King had accepted my Lord Stenwold's proffer of

his seat near the village so as to be the more private and secluded

in his villainy than in the more spacious castle and fort of

Sunderland, across the stream.

They had taken my sword from me; my pistols, of course, had been left

behind in the holsters attached to my saddle. I was absolutely

unarmed and defenceless; I had not even been allowed the privilege of

knife and fork on the voyage, my food having been so prepared for me

that I could eat it with a spoon.

I had no money; all we possessed, which was but little, being in my

husband's keeping, and I had few jewels--a wedding ring and one

other. I did not wish to give up my solitaire diamond, saving it for

a last resort, therefore I was without means to bribe; and indeed, in

the confines of the small ship, Stenwold kept such close watch upon

me that I had no opportunity for speech, even with any one else.

Never did I utter such fervent prayers as I did all through that

cruise, that God in some way would raise up help for me and enable me

to defend that which was dearer to me than life itself--and yet I was

young, too, and passionately attached to my husband, and life was

sweet.

God was answering my prayers in His own way. Now I thank Him daily

for what He did for me and that I enjoy my husband's entire

forgiveness and continued love. He blesses me while I write now, who

am Sir Hugh's wife, which I find to be so different from what I

dreamed it before my marriage. These things do indeed change us more

than we wot of, when we give our heart and hand and person into the

keeping of some one else. I can scarcely stir without Sir Hugh at my

side now; I look to him for everything; his guidance is half my life,

his inspiration the rest of it; and I was once the most independent

maid in Scotland!

I run on incessantly; there shall be no more in this strain. Suffice

it to say that I mounted the great stairs of the castle with a steady

step. I was shown through a long hall, then through a smaller room,

and then into another, still small but spacious and elegant enough.

This room overlooked the water.

Stenwold House was perched on the brow of the cliff, or steep bank,

of the Wear. The apartment in which so much took place was in the

second story, and perhaps seventy feet from the high-tide line of the

river. There was, so far as I could see, but one entrance to the

apartment, and that was by the door through which we had come. The

room was handsomely furnished, and off to the left through another

door, half-opened, I discerned a bed-chamber, at the sight of which I

grew cold with fear and shame.

"Will it please you," began my Lord Stenwold, after we two entered

the room, and my heart leaped to see that it was empty, "to refresh

yourself after your journey?"

"Nothing that you can do or say, or any one else here, will please me

in the least degree," I retorted, with what carelessness and firmness

I could muster.

"Your ladyship grieves me beyond expression," was his sneering

answer. "However, I shall leave the task of pleasing you to an abler

and nobler being than my poor self."

"Meaner and baser would be better words, if that were possible," said

I.

His face flushed, he glowered at me darkly, he even instinctively

touched his sword-hilt.

"Madam, you will live to bless me for this adventure," he said.

"If I live at all, sir," I returned, "I shall curse you to the last

day of my life or yours."

"If you would take a fool's advice, madam..."

"A knave's rather," I interposed.

"'Tis much the same thing. We are all of us fools or knaves--some of

us both; and the only wise man is he who recognises and admits his

knavery or his foolery," he ran on cynically, striving to recover his

equanimity.

"You speak capably from your own experience," said I. "I doubt you

have met many gentlemen and gentlewomen in your evil life and

service, but, if you have, I am sure you have no personal knowledge

or experience that would enable you to recognise either."

"Madam, do you know how defenceless you are?" he cried, apparently

provoked beyond control by my flings at him. "Do you not know that

the King will tire of you as quickly as he fancied you? Do you

realise what it would mean to you then, to have a friend in me?"

He approached me threateningly as he spoke.

"I am not so defenceless as you think, Lord Stenwold, and, weak as I

am, I have a Friend still who..."

"Your husband?" he interposed sneeringly.

"Almighty God," said I.

"God!"

His jaw dropped; I never met such a look of astonishment as I saw in

his face, and then he laughed sardonically.

"God may be all right in His heaven, doubtless," he continued, "but

we are on earth, and here the King's word rules."

"'Tis more like hell," I returned.

"And I am devil-in-chief, madam," he said, bowing. "Saving, of

course, the King's royal grace and precedence," he added. "But

enough of this; His Majesty, I am informed, desires to consult your

pleasure in every way. He is kindness itself toward the fair."

"Let him release me then, and restore me to my father."

"In every way but that."

"I have no other pleasure, no other wish, no other will."

"What! not a thought for thy cowardly, treacherous, money-loving

husband?"

There he wounded me. I am ashamed to say it, but I thrust my face

into my hands and turned away, to hear again that mocking laugh. May

God and my husband forgive me, I never can. It was Stenwold who

broke the silence that fell between us.

"I shall have something to eat and drink brought to you here. After

that, my charge of you is over; I shall deliver you to my royal

master."

"May I eat alone?"

"Madam, you may; the taste of your sharp tongue that I have just had

hath somewhat impaired my own appetite, I confess. When you are

somewhat tamer, I shall visit you again; meanwhile, I wish you joy of

your evening, and His Majesty likewise."

There was something ironic in that wish for the King that did give me

a certain satisfaction. I would not give much for any pleasure His

Majesty was to get out of me. I thought I was quite capable, in

default of other means, of choking the King to death with my own

hands, if I could muster the strength, and I believed that in the

last extremity I could. I was desperate, you see.

_Chapter_

XVIII

_Wherein Lady Katharine describes what took place in the Antechamber

where the King made Love to her_

While Stenwold was away, I swiftly examined both rooms--the

antechamber and the bedroom: they had no entrance and no exit, save

by that one door, which was now locked against me. I had only one

resource--I could throw myself from one of the windows to the rocks

below as a last resort.

The room was full of light from many candles, the windows were

heavily draped; I opened the sash of one of them and fastened it

back. Then I drew a chair in front of the open window and covered it

with the heavy hangings. The night was fair, there was little or no

breeze fortunately. Not enough wind came through the open casement

to stir the candles even, or, if there did, the draperies were

sufficiently close and heavy to contain it. Without examination, it

could not have been known in the room that the window was open or

that the chair was so placed that I could by means of it leap to the

sill.

Fortunately, it was a large window, and I could throw myself through

it in a moment. I did not want to go to my death yet--I was young,

and loved life, even under the circumstances--and I kept on hoping

against hope. I tried to persuade myself that there was some

explanation of my husband's conduct that would let me love him and

let me show him that love--I vow before God that I had not ceased to

care for him, in spite of all--provided I could win away from the

dangers I was in. I would not make the wild plunge until the last

moment.

These hurried inspections and preparations were scarcely completed

when the door was opened, and Lord Stenwold entered; he was followed

by two lackeys, who brought me a royal repast. It was set upon a

table conveniently placed by direction of the master of the house,

and, when all was in readiness, he turned to me with a bow and asked

me if there was anything else I wanted. A thought came to me as I

watched them arrange the meal, and I answered thus:

"Will not my Lord Stenwold, after the watchful care with which he

hath looked to me during our journey, do me the honour to take a

glass of wine with me, and drink a toast of my making?"

"My lady, I have never refused to drink, to game, to fight, or to

love with anybody on earth," said Stenwold, bowing gallantly, "and I

shall not begin now."

"Allow me then."

I stepped to the table, poured out two glasses of wine, proffered him

one, and took the other myself. He bowed low as he lifted it up,

looking at me inquiringly.

"Your toast, madam?"

"God save the King," said I, with sinister mockery.

I think he must have felt what was in my mind, for that toast was

plainly threat, not prayer, and for a moment he hesitated.

"Surely," said I, "no loyal servant of so noble a master can balk at

that sentiment."

"So long as you believe in God, madam," he said at last, "you might

better have phrased it, 'God save yourself,' but have it your own

way; I drink."

I sipped mine; he drained his glass, to my great relief. Then he set

the glass down, shrugged his shoulders, turned, and left me. The

wine, at least, was not drugged or poisoned. I was not hungry, but I

ate heartily for strength and I drank a little of the King's rare

vintage, for the same reason.

Again the table provided me with no weapon, yet as I surveyed it

disconsolately a thought came to me. I took one of the tall Venetian

glasses, went over to the hearth, and deliberately broke it;

fortunately, it shattered in such a way as to leave me a smooth space

by which to grip it and a sharp edge below to cut or thrust with. It

was a poor weapon, but it was the best I could do. I still held it

in my hand when again the door was opened; the lackeys removed the

table, and as they did so, Stenwold, who had entered again with them,

drew aside the heavy curtain veiling the door and said:

"His Majesty the King."

It had come at last, the hour that was to decide my fate, or

perchance the King's. Oh, how my heart beat then!

King James entered the room immediately he was announced. Lord

Stenwold closed the door, remaining on the outside of it, and I was

alone with the King. I had time to mark that the key was not turned

and no bolt was shot. That did me little good, after all, for I

realised at once that Stenwold would keep watch on the other side and

that the whole castle, in fact, would be well guarded, yet I was glad

not to be locked in with my persecutor.

King James was royally attired, stars and orders like suns blazed on

the breast of his coat, he had all the outward and visible signs of

Majesty, but in his clothing alone; for the rest, his face was

flushed, evidently he had been drinking and was now perceptibly in

his cups, his wig was slightly awry, his dress disordered--a royal

spectacle, indeed! He bowed low before me, where I stood as cold as

the winter's ice, as rigid as one of our mountains in bonny Scotland,

and as disdainful as if he had been the cur that in truth he was.

"Madam," he said, a little thickly, but with an evident attempt at

amiability, "you are very welcome to our presence. 'Fore God, having

seen you once in that boy's suit, I could not rest until I had you

back again at court."

As he spoke, he looked at me, and the blood stirred in me from head

to foot, following his evil glances. I could wear that boy's attire

before the world without a thought, but before that King, not for a

second without shame. I had hated him before--I loathed him then.

"I trust," he went on, "that your voyage hither hath been a pleasant

one, that your reception hath been commensurate with your beauty, and

that your present entertainment is to your liking."

"Your Majesty," said I, "as I told you before in the presence of the

good Bishop Ken, who was your good angel on that day..."

"Name him not," said the King resentfully; "we are well rid of the

pestilent Churchman and his pious advices."

"Not so," I persisted.

"Madam, I will not have him mentioned," growled His Majesty.

"You are, or should be, the font of honour and dignity for these

three kingdoms; the oppressed, the weak, the persecuted, the tempted,

have only you to whom to appeal, as I, a woman, friendless, alone,

bereft of all her protectors, appeal to you now."

"Appeal rather to my love for you, Lady Katharine, and I could deny

you nothing," he made answer, smirking odiously at me.

"Rather do I appeal to the King's mercy, the King's honour, the

King's justice...!" I cried.

"Mean you Lord Jeffreys?" he asked.

"God forbid!"

"'Twas upon his advice I brought you hither," laughed the Monarch.

"So I might have surmised."

"He told me, in his blunt, rough way, that I was more than a fool to

let escape such a delicious little..."

"Spare me his vulgar words!" I exclaimed contemptuously.

"I will spare you anything, if you will just love me a little, you

little vixen. Come, we have talked enough."

He moved toward me a step. Instantly--God forgive me, it is a

fearful thing for a subject to do, but my blood was hot, and I was so

enraged--I lifted my hand.

"Come nearer," said I, "and I strike you with this."

The King stared hard at me, and then burst into laughter as he

recognised how little formidable a thing it was that I held in my

hand.

"What is 't?" he asked. "A bit of broken glass? A woman's weapon."

I was quicker than he thought, for, though he was on me as he spoke

and his hand caught at my wrist, I struggled viciously and managed to

scratch his face; indeed, I cut it deep enough for blood to come.

"You little spit-fire!" he cried angrily, wresting the broken goblet

from me. "What's the matter with you? There is scarce a woman in

the realm that would not be honoured by my affection."

"Here is one," answered I, "that finds it only dishonour."

I wrenched myself free from him as he spoke and stepped back from

him. He was sober enough now, and in an ugly mood, yet strove to

control himself and win me if he could.

"Madam," he pleaded, "be reasonable; you are at my mercy."

"The King's mercy," I mocked. "What mean those words?"

"You don't seem to understand that I love you, Lady Katharine," he

went on, "that I can do anything for you, and I will; I will give you

riches, I will create you a duchess, I..."

"I have already a higher position than any you can give me," I

interposed triumphantly.

"And what's that?"

"I am a true and lawful wife."

"Wife to a man who sold you unto me?"

Glad am I--I thank God for it daily; I shall continue so to do so

long as I live--that I answered thus:

"That is a lie."

"It is the truth!" cried the King.

"It will take more than the word of James Stewart to make me believe

it."

The King laughed.

"You called me James Stewart, Katharine Clanranald."

"Katharine Richmond," I protested.

"Katharine anything you will; I drop my royalty, I cast it aside, I

am a man who loves you, who will have you; nay, shrink not back, you

are helpless, your reputation is gone already, you might as well have

the sweet with the bitter, the reward with the service, and there is

no shame in it after all as the world sees it, kings are exalted

above other men. Faith, I know not why I plead a moment with you,

when I might take you out of hand, but that I..."

He stepped toward me; I sprang from him and, being fleeter of foot

than he, gained the window before he divined my purpose. I tore away

the hangings, I leaped upon the sill, and leaned far out, my right

knee upon the sill, my left foot on the chair.

"If you come one step nearer," I cried, looking back at him, "I shall

hurl myself upon the rocks below!"

"You wouldn't do that," protested the open-mouthed, astonished King,

rooted to the spot where he stood.

"Would I not? If you have the least doubt of my purpose, put me to

the test; approach me and I die."

"But I offer you riches, rank, power, my love, everything."

"These things spell but two words for me, James Stewart."

I was resolved that I would no longer call him King or Majesty, who

was so unworthy of either title or attributes.

"And what do they spell?"

"Shame--dishonour."

"Hey, woman, would you prefer death to our affection?"

"I would prefer death to your crown, if you went with it!" I cried.

The King's back was toward the door, which was in full view from

where I crouched upon the broad window-sill. As he stared at me in

bafflement, and as I looked at him in triumph, the door softly

opened. I did not care much who came into the room. While I

maintained my position, I had my own fate in my own hands if a dozen

were beside the King; therefore, I looked with little curiosity and

was totally unprepared for what I saw.

Silently a splendid figure came through the slowly opened door, which

he quietly closed behind him; in his hand he bore a bloodstained

sword. It was my husband! He was true--that was my first thought, I

swear.

My heart stopped its beating; unconsciously, I looked away from the

King. He had no thought evidently but for me, for, taking advantage

of my momentary inattention, in two bounds he was upon me. He laid

hold of my ankle, my foot being on the chair, and laughed

triumphantly.

But I did not care. I made no effort to throw myself over now, not

even did I struggle to release myself; my protector was here. In one

second all my trust and confidence came back, so far as he was

concerned. I knew he could deal with all the kings and crowns on

earth to save me. I waited, almost with a sense of amusement at what

I knew would be the instant and appalling discomfiture of the King,

who, as he seized me, exclaimed:

"I have you now, madam, and who shall deliver you from my hand?"

"I," said my husband, smiling at me.

_Chapter_

XIX

_Wherein Sir Hugh Richmond interrupts a Tête-á-tête

between his Wife and one James Stewart_

And now I resume the telling of my own story. I cannot describe the

feeling of thankfulness that filled my heart when I opened the door

and saw my wife crouching on the window-seat, and the King standing

angry and helpless in the centre of the room. I knew exactly what

had been in Lady Katharine's mind: that, rather than submit to the

King, she would throw herself from the tower to the rocks below--my

brave, beautiful, splendid Kate! I shuddered to think of that

catastrophe, and yet I rejoiced that she had found the courage to

plan it and that I had come in the nick of time to render it

unnecessary.

She saw me so soon as I opened the door. The King's back was toward

me, and he was not aware of my presence--he was so intent upon her as

to be oblivious to everything else. He observed her gaze, which had

been concentrated upon him, I imagined--and she hath since told me it

was so--wander my way for a moment and, with a quickness for which I

should not have given him credit, he realised his opportunity and

seized it; for, in two steps he was by her side, he caught her ankle

in a firm grasp, her foot being on the chair and her knee upon the

window.

Whether he could have effected that or not if I had not been there,

even if her gaze had wandered, I cannot say. His touch was

profanation, but his present actions were of little importance in my

wife's mind or in my own. Since I was there I had but one course to

follow, as ever the bold one! But, then, I had followed that same

course all along and with success. I had bested Jeffreys, entered

the castle and killed Stenwold, and I felt no doubt but that I should

triumph over the wretched Monarch, a weaker man than either of them.

There was, too, a certain grim satisfaction in my heart in the

situation. It is not every day that a simple soldier and gentleman

has the chance to measure himself against a man who, while he was not

a great King, was, nevertheless, the appointed ruler over a great

realm for the time being.

I had served King James long and well and he had requited me, after

having banished me for a venial offence that any other monarch had

freely pardoned, by endeavouring to take from me all that life held

of sweetness and light for me--my bonny Kate, my wife. Had he not

laid his hand upon her person, I think I could have waited a little

while behind the tapestry enjoying the situation. My wife had ever a

witty and a cutting tongue, although she uses it not now upon

me--thank God!--and I doubt not that there would have been rare

baiting of the King; but the clasp on her dainty ankle and his

insulting laugh, his boastful statement, moved me, and I spoke as she

hath written.

"Your Majesty," I added quietly, "hath it not been one of the lessons

of your kingship that he laughs best who laughs last?"

At the first sound of my voice the King had released Lady Katharine

and wheeled to face me. His red face went suddenly white as he saw

me standing there, grim, forbidding, with a naked and bloody sword in

my hand. I could not have been a very pleasant spectacle, although

Lady Katharine, with a woman's fond exaggeration, has since assured

me that I was the fairest thing she ever looked upon--for the nonce.

I am glad I so appeared to her.

"Holy Virgin!" exclaimed the King, as soon as he could get breath.

"Richmond!"

"I am glad to see that Your Majesty recognises me."

"Hugh!" cried my wife, finding voice at last. "Thank God, you have

come in time."

"And did you ever doubt that I should be here, sweetheart?" I asked,

in turn.

I never took my eyes off the King, though I spoke to her. I stood

between him and the door, and, at a move, I could have spitted him

like a fowl, and I would, too; I cared not a snap of my finger for

his Majesty or his Kingship. By means of the chair, my wife sprang

down from the high window and came close to my side, and, before I

knew what she would be at, she seized my left hand and kissed it.

That sight aroused the King; he opened his mouth to cry for

assistance, but, before he could utter a sound, I was upon him

fiercely.

"Be silent," I hissed at him, "or I will run you through."

It was impossible for him to turn any whiter, he was so pale already,

but he shrank away from the menacing point of the red weapon in

terrific agitation.

"You draw your sword against your King?" he exclaimed.

"You raise your hand against my wife?" I retorted.

"Down on your knees, sir," said the King, striving to recover his

dominance, "and beg for your life. Because of your wife, I may give

it to you."

"Now," mocked I, "that is a most royal clemency on the part of Your

Majesty, but, if any knees press the floor in this room, they will

not be mine."

"I am the King of England..."

"No one would ever imagine it from your actions."

"And you are my subject."

"Nay," said I; "here we be two men--James Stewart and Hugh

Richmond--and of the two I am the master."

It was about as insulting a thing as I could say, and the King's

position was about as degrading a one as he could well occupy. A

moment's reflection upon it goaded the unhappy man to madness.

"Stenwold!" he cried out suddenly in a high-pitched voice.

What more he would have added I do not know, for my sword was at his

throat. I even pricked him a little, for I saw a spot of blood stain

the lace of his tie. I pressed him hard, too, until he shrank

against the wall, helpless.

"Now I am in mind," said I fiercely, "in that you have disobeyed me

in calling out, to pin you to the wainscoting and leave you there."

"Would you kill your King?" gasped out James, alarmed beyond measure.

"You are no King of mine," I answered roughly. "For one thing, you

have banished me, proscribed me, I am an outlaw, and I would kill you

as I would any other rat that came beneath my notice."

"But Stenwold?"

"Would it not otherwise alarm the castle, you might call on Lord

Stenwold forever."

"Is he dead?"

"Ay!"

"Did you kill him?"

"Yonder, in the antechamber," I said.

"And you would murder..."

"Stop," I interposed. "I killed Lord Stenwold in fair fight."

"But I have no weapon, or..." said the King, eagerly grasping at

straws to save the rags and tatters of his self-respect.

And here my wife interposed--she lifted from the chair the jewelled

sword which the King had laid aside for his love-making and handed it

to him.

"Now you have the means of defence!" I exclaimed, throwing her an

approving look for her splendid action and the evidence of her

confidence in me.

"I stand here to see fair play," said Lady Katharine fiercely.

I drew back from him a little space to give him room, and fell on

guard, but the King's sword hung listlessly from his hand.

"I cannot fight with a subject; 'tis beneath me," he muttered.

"You would fight with a woman, though; you did not find that beneath

you," said my wife quickly. "You would contrive to spoil her of that

which is infinitely dearer than life. You hesitated not to attempt

that."

"But he did not succeed, Kate!" I cried.

"I should be deader than Stenwold then," said my wife.

"If he had, his own life would not be worth a moment's purchase,"

said I grimly. "Your conduct passes belief, sir."

"Let us end this comedy," said the King desperately.

"'Tis not yet decided, sir," I said ironically, "from the first act

of the play, whether it shall turn out a comedy or a tragedy."

"You have me in your power," returned James. "What is it you wish?"

"Freedom to depart instantly from this castle with my wife without

let or hindrance by you or any one."

"Needs must," said the King. "My hour will come, but this is yours.

Go! You are free, but, if you are found within my domains within the

hour, God help you."

"Threats," said I mockingly, "ill become the powerless."

"Death and fury!" exclaimed the King, in futile rage.

"And this man presumed to love me," laughed Lady Katharine, "and to

think that I could mate with such a coward."

I suppose that was the last straw; the King could stand no more; he

tore nervously at the lace of his collar.

"Go!" he cried. "You have my word that you shall not be stopped."

"Your word," I sneered.

"My royal word."

"Your Majesty, it's not worth the breath that utters it. We will

have a safe-conduct from Your Majesty in Your Majesty's own hand; we

will have Your Majesty's seal to attest the writing lest any question

it."

"Anything," said the unhappy King, mad to get us away.

There was a handsome writing-cabinet against the wall.

"Will it please Your Majesty to sit there," said I, pointing with my

sword toward the chair before it.

The King actually reeled to the place and fell, rather than sat down,

in the seat. He was so agitated he could scarcely hold the pen. I

bade him calm himself and take plenty of time, as we were not likely

to be interrupted, but my friendly words did not seem to have great

effect. He made several ineffectual attempts to write, and finally

threw the quill upon the desk.

"Write it yourself," he said, "and I will sign it."

"Nay," replied I, "that can hardly be, for I must keep good watch

over you."

"Give me the charge of him, Hugh!" cried my brave Kate eagerly. "You

know that I can wield the sword and I have a score of my own to pay

back to this man."

"Good," said I.

I passed her my sword, and it pleased my heart to see how firmly she

grasped it in her sweet hand, and how like a master she handled it.

At the same time I slipped her that little pocket-pistol, of French

make, that I carried ever about me in times of hazard.

"Stand up!" she cried abruptly, pointing her blade to the King.

It cut him to the heart to be thus mastered by a woman. He looked at

me as if in appeal. I shrugged my shoulders.

"The lady is in command," I said. "I know her well, she's my wife;

you had best do as she says, and quickly, or I'll not answer for the

consequences."

There was nothing for him but obedience. The unhappy man rose slowly

to his feet and stared at us, his eyes distilling hatred.

"Face the wall!" cried Lady Katharine, and perforce he had to obey

again. She rested the sword-point between his shoulder-blades and

tapped him lightly therewith.

"Turn but your head, move at all," she said, "and I will run you

through." She looked at me for a moment and laughed. "Is it well

done, my lord?" she asked.

"Excellent well."

"Behold the Royal Majesty of England!" she laughed. "Flattened

against the wall of his own palace and held there at her pleasure and

by a woman's hand."

Where have I heard the saying, "Hell hath no fury like a woman

scorned"? Well, there was no time for moralising. I sat down, and

wrote an order without duress, granting free exit from the castle,

without let or hindrance, for Sir Hugh Richmond and Lady Katharine,

his wife, with whatsoever jewels and property either bore upon his or

her person, and affording them immunity from capture for a space of

two hours thereafter. After I had finished it, I sanded it

carefully, left it upon the desk and once again resumed my weapons.

"The prisoner, sir," said my wife, with marked gravity, "hath

comported himself admirably under our gentle persuasion. He hath not

stirred; yea, he hath scarcely even breathed."

Then laughter overcame her.

"Your Majesty," said I, "you can sign the order now."

The King fell away from the wall and into the chair, almost like a

dead man. He seized the pen and scrawled his name beneath it with a

shaking hand.

"Now the Royal signet."

His hand trembled so he could scarcely drop the wax, but at last he

managed to affix his seal to it.

"Leave the seal on the table," I added.

"There it is," he replied, slamming it down furiously.

"I want to play fair with you," I said. "I am not a King; you had

better read over the paper you have signed."

The King glanced hastily over it and shoved it toward me.

"Take it, damn you," he said. "If I but get my hands upon you..."

"I know perfectly well what you would fain do with me," I replied

coolly. "And if you catch me, you have leave, so far as I am

concerned, to wreak whatever majestic vengeance you are inclined to."

"Have you finished this baiting of me now?" he choked out.

"Not yet. You have confiscated my own estates, also the property of

the Earl of Clanranald, the father of my wife; we paid you ten

thousand pounds for his liberty and for my wife's freedom; I will

take that money, if you please."

"Do you think I carry that much upon my person?"

"Not in gold or silver perhaps," said I, "but in the stars and jewels

that you wear."

"Wouldst thou rob as well as murder me?"

"I take but my own," returned I. "Off with them."

The King tore the jewels from his breast, the rings from his fingers,

the pins from his tie, and heaped them down upon the desk. I

gathered them together and dropped them into my pocket.

"Now," said I, "we have done with you. I served you long and served

you well. My own offence was such as any noble gentleman might have

forgiven; you repaid me by banishment, and then, ignobly, you tried

to steal my wife. True it is that in old days you did heap benefits

upon me; I requite them by sparing you now; and, with my wife, I go.

Understanding that neither your spoken word nor your written pledge

is worth much to me, who know you of old, I have here something I

fancy which will cause you to respect what you have said and what you

have written."

"What is that?"

"Your Chief Devil is locked up and under guard, his life is forfeit

for mine."

"Jeffreys!" cried the King.

"Your Majesty hath wit enough to identify him from my meagre

description evidently," said I.

"And what of him?"

"He is my prisoner."

"It is a lie."

"I have not rank enough to lie. Here is the evidence."

I forced into his hands Jeffreys' letter.

"'Tis forged," he protested.

"And is this, too, forged?" I asked, as I showed him my lord's signet

ring.

"Does the fool believe," said the King bitterly, "that I would allow

his life or anybody's to stand between me and my will?"

As for that, I could quite believe that in his present mood the King

would have sacrificed Jeffreys, or anybody, or anything but his life

for revenge upon me and mine, and power to work his will upon both of

us.

"To tell you the truth, sir," I answered smoothly, "even he does not

think that highly of you, but even Your Majesty could scarcely afford

to have it known that he wilfully sacrificed his Lord Chief Justice

for a woman."

"Enough," said the King; "you have what you came for; now, go!"

"But one thing more remains to be said," I began. "For the sake of

the honourable gentlemen, the honest and gallant men over whom for

yet a little space you are permitted to rule, and not to bring shame

to them by showing them what a coward their monarch is, my wife and I

will keep silent concerning the events of this night, and, if they be

mooted abroad, the news will come from you, not from us. I wish Your

Majesty a good-night."

"Go, go!" cried the King.

"Come, Kate," I said.

I sheathed my sword and then I kissed her before him. I confess I

wanted him to see it, that kiss which he had been denied. Then I

took her hand and we turned happily away. The King sank down into a

chair and lay sprawled there, trembling and shaking as if in an ague,

while we made toward the door. The desperate game had been played

out, and I had won. I was happy, exultant, triumphant. Ten minutes

would see us on the water and away, if Macleod had been faithful

which I did not doubt.

_Chapter_

XX

_How Sir Hugh and Lady Katharine, with some Assistance from General

Feversham, at last and finally overcame the Majesty of England_

There was a sudden clamour in the great hall outside. My heart

stopped beating. I halted with my left hand on the closed door. I

released my wife and drew my sword again.

"If anything happens," I whispered to her, "do you go to the window,

dearest Kate! I'll hold them in play until you leap, and if I can

I'll follow you."

"I understand," she answered, her eyes shining with love for me and

brave determination to die rather than yield to the King.

A gruff soldier's voice that I recognised said something I could not

make out. The farther door at which Harkins had kept watch was

suddenly thrown open. Through the closed door between the King's

chamber and the anteroom where dead Stenwold lay I could hear

confused noises, clashing of arms, many people entering hurriedly,

then that deeper foreign voice, that I knew but could not place,

commanded silence. The King had heard as well as I.

"'Tis Feversham," he exclaimed, leaping to his feet, his face

changing. "We shall see now who wins."

As he spoke another harsher, rougher voice came through the door.

"And Jeffreys!" cried the delighted King. "Down on your knees, you

dog," he roared. "He doth laugh best who laughs last. Madam, you

did ill to trust yourself to this man."

I stood appalled for the moment at this sudden check to our plans.

"Gentlemen, to me," roared the King. There was a surge toward the

door, which had been thrown open at the King's first shout for

assistance, and in the instant the room was filled with men. But I

was quicker than any. I stepped to the side of the King and dragged

him back to the wall near the window before he himself or any one

else could prevent. My wife followed me.

"Your Majesty," I said quickly, while the newcomers stood surprised

beyond measure, "I have you covered, have a care what you do. My

life is forfeit, but if I die, you die before me, dost understand?"

At that second Feversham and Jeffreys in the lead, the officers of

the guard following, with the King's gentlemen and Stenwold's

lackeys, all stepped toward me. The King and I stood together near

the middle of the wall of the farther room, Lady Katharine alone near

the window adjoining us.

"Back," cried the wretched King, desperately urged thereto by the

pressure of that small pistol against his back.

"Your Majesty..." began Feversham, stopping short, and then he

recognised me. "Richmond!" he exclaimed; "Lady Katharine Clanranald!"

"Katharine Richmond, sir," protested she, proud of her new name.

"You came in the very nick of time, Lord Feversham," said the King.

"Sir Hugh Richmond is a traitor and an exile, he is an outlaw, he

hath raised his hand against his King, as you see. Take him: We will

decide upon his punishment later."

"Ay, Your Majesty, and if that be not enough, he tied me up, like a

trussed fowl, threatened me with death, and left me two hours since

with a dirty rag in my mouth. But for the chance arrival at the inn

of Lord Feversham, who insisted upon seeing me when he heard I was

there, I might have died of thirst or suffocation," roared out

Jeffreys.

"He hath killed my Lord Stenwold," cried another.

"'Fore God, let's burn the dog, and----"

"Lord Feversham," cried my wife in swift interruption. "You served

me well once in my need, hear me now. In violation of his honour,

the King employed Lord Stenwold to bring me here against my will, to

my shame, for His Majesty's foul purpose."

"Silence, wench," roared the King.

But I shoved my pistol harder into his side.

"Give the lady free speech," I said grimly, "and do not use that word

again to my wife if you love life."

"And my husband came here in the nick of time to rescue me from His

Majesty----"

"And to avenge you had I been too late," I added.

"What man of you would not do the same, for one he loved?" she cried,

appealing to the rest. "You, Lord Feversham, are a French gentleman,

one of the _haute noblesse_ of your gallant land, an honourable

soldier; what say you? Is my husband to be blamed for that? Is his

life to be forfeit because he sought to protect me from this

dishonoured King?"

Never had she been so royally beautiful herself as in that hour. I

knew not till then how fortunate I had been in winning her to wife.

I almost forgot our lives hung upon her word in admiration for her,

but nevertheless I kept tight hold of the King.

Louis de Duras looked greatly troubled.

"Your Majesty," he said at last, "deny this for God's love, and for

the sake of your kingly fame!"

"Why should I deny it?" snarled the King. "The woman is my subject,

the daughter of one traitor, the wife of another--she ought to be

honoured."

"It is ill done, Sire," said the soldier, shaking his head.

"The King can do no wrong," roared Judge Jeffreys.

"I should have left you where I found you by chance," said Feversham,

looking contemptuously at the red-faced travesty of justice, "the

soiled rag thrust within your lips consorts well with what falls from

them now and ever."

"Lord Feversham," cried the King, as Jeffreys shrank away from the

fierce gaze of the proud, brave soldier, "on your allegiance I

command you to obey my order."

"One step nearer, General Feversham," cried I, tapping the King on

the shoulder--he was as a child in my hands!--"and I blow His

Majesty's brains out before you all."

"Would you murder your King?" cried Jeffreys.

"Ay, and die regretting that I had not a second shot for you."

Feversham stood uncertain. Jeffreys gnashed his teeth in baffled

rage and terror.

"Good God, gentlemen!" protested the Lord Chief Justice, "is all the

power of England in this vagabond's hands?"

How the situation might have terminated I cannot say. We had reached

a position in which advance or retreat were alike impossible on

either side. It was my bonny Kate who intervened again. God bless

her woman's wit. It saved us both. She suddenly stepped past the

Earl of Feversham toward me. The soldier bowed, but made as if he

would interrupt her progress.

"Madam," he said, "I respect you, but I must guard as I may the

person of the King; your husband alone sufficiently menaces him.

What want you now?"

"Sir," said my wife, looking him full in the face, "I give you my

word of honour, as the daughter of the Earl of Clanranald, as the

wife of Sir Hugh Richmond, for we were married three days ago in

Scotland, that I mean no harm to the King, although he hath

threatened me with much. I only wish to take from the person of my

husband, he being otherwise occupied and so unable to hand it to me,

a paper and a seal for your inspection."

"Keep the woman back, Louis," began the King imploringly, but I

thrust him savagely with the muzzle of my pistol and his voice died

away.

"Madam, I take your word," said Feversham, bowing gallantly. "Pass

on."

"By God!" exclaimed Jeffreys, "if you would let me deal with the

woman, we'd have His Majesty freed from that knave in a moment. We

could have held her as hostage, man."

The King looked gratefully, the General scornfully at Jeffreys, who

certainly had spoken shrewdly if too late.

At that moment it repented me that I had not killed him when I had

the chance. It was however now impossible to carry out his

suggestion, even if Feversham had been so minded. My wife stood

close to me and reached her hand into my breast pocket where I had

thrust them, and drew forth the King's letter and the King's seal; in

three steps she was by Feversham's side, showing by her approach a

confidence in him that touched him evidently, and laid the paper in

his open hand.

"What's this?" asked the General.

"Read, sir," answered Lady Katharine.

He stepped nearer the light and opened the document.

"'Tis a free passage and immunity for Sir Hugh Richmond and his wife,

given without duress and signed by the King," he said.

"This ring, you know it?" continued my wife.

"The King's seal," answered Feversham.

"Your Majesty, did you issue this pass?"

"Yes," said the King, "but----"

"Pardon me, Your Majesty," said I, pressing him a little harder in

the back, "you gave me the document of your own free will, did you

not?"

"Yes, that is----" stammered the poor King, his face sweat-covered.

"There hath been no one here could put any compulsion upon Your

Majesty, hath there?" I asked, ruthlessly pressing my advantage.

"No," he stammered out at last, "but I will revoke the pass."

"'Tis too late," said Feversham bluntly, "unless by a written order."

"And at this moment," said I grimly, "the King cannot write."

"Good God, Feversham!" began the King, but he got no further.

"This is monstrous!" cried my Lord Chief Justice.

Feversham fiercely turned on him as a dog upon a rat.

"This is a military matter," he roared. "Will you be silent? Sir

Hugh Richmond, you and your wife by the King's written order are

entitled to free passage; as loyal subjects of His Majesty, we

respect his name and seal. Back, gentlemen. Way for Sir Hugh and

Lady Richmond."

"Gentlemen," said I, "a word before we go. Lord Stenwold lies dead

in yonder chamber, 'tis true, but it was in fair fight. I am this

night for the Low Countries; if any friend of his wishes satisfaction

and fancies himself aggrieved, I shall hold myself at his disposal in

Holland, upon whatever terms he will."

"I shall see," said Feversham gravely, "that your courteous offer be

communicated to whomsoever may desire to take up the late Lord

Stenwold's quarrel."

"Thank you," said I. "We are indebted to you for much."

"A word before you go," said Feversham. "You know that I had no hand

in bringing your wife back here."

"I never for a moment dreamed of it," I replied with a black glance

at Jeffreys, who shrank away. "I know well whence the King's evil

inspiration came."

"It grieves me," continued Feversham, "to call attention to the fact

that if within two hours you are apprehended on English ground, your

life, and I doubt not," he added significantly, "your wife's honour

will be forfeited."

"I understand," said I. "Your Majesty," I turned and faced the King.

I took off my hat and bowed low to him with ironic courtesy--indeed

had he not sought to use me and mine so foully, I could have pitied

him in his degradation and despair--"Good-night, again; you should

sleep sweeter for the failure of your designs upon this lady. I

trust that I may meet you upon some wider field than this narrow

room, where the prize to be struggled for may not be a woman's

honour, but a kingdom's rule."

I clapped my hat on my head, drew my wife's hand through my left arm

and, with my bare blade in my right hand, I walked proudly through

the door. The gentlemen and soldiers assembled silently gave back

and opened way by General Feversham's directions as we passed through

them. The King and Jeffreys both opened their mouths in wild

clamour, but Feversham was equal to the emergency, he roared out like

a stentor:

"The King and his Chief Justice would fain be alone, gentlemen. Let

us leave the room immediately. Stand not upon the order of your

going, sirs----"

And so bellowing orders and commands drowning out the sharp words of

the King, he hustled all of them out into the anteroom, closed the

door and himself stood guard before it. No one could pass then.

"For God's sake, make haste, Richmond!" he cried, as I looked back to

catch one last glimpse of him splendidly barring the King's exit.

For the second time that night King James was a prisoner. I had no

fear for Feversham, the best, the only commander worthy the name in

the kingdom; he was a soldier; the King might hate him but he could

do nothing, especially as any indignity to the Earl would probably

cost him the favour of and might involve him in a war with France,

which at that unsettled time would have been fatal to his kingship.

He needed him.

At the door old Harkins waited; he had posted himself there, and

there he intended to wait whatever came. His face was white enough

under its tan. As I passed by he presented arms and looked intently

at me.

"You are to come with me," I said, assuming an authority I did not

have.

He followed me without a question. We marched rapidly down the long

hall, only to be halted at the further end by the officer of the

guard; but here another officer overtook us, having been despatched

by Feversham, and ordered that we be given free passage.

The officer looked sharply at the sergeant but said nothing;

fortunately he was but a young soldier, and I suppose he thought that

Harkins was only discharging his duty by escorting me on my way. So

the four of us marched down the stair, through the hall, across the

courtyard and outside the gates. Here the officer halted.

"I would best see them safe across the drawbridge and down the road,

sir," said Harkins gruffly.

"Very good; go on," said the officer indifferently, turning back.

In half a dozen steps we were over the drawbridge, and in another

moment the three of us were running madly toward the river bank.

Harkins' presence was invaluable now, for he knew a path to the

water's edge. We fell rather than climbed down it in the darkness

and stood knee-deep in the river.

"Macleod!" I cried anxiously.

"Here, your honour, and thank God," came to us out of the darkness,

and presently guided by our voices, the prow of a comfortable wherry

ran against the bank of the river.

I lifted Lady Katharine into the boat, clambered into the stern

sheets myself and seized the tiller, while Harkins sat down forward

of Macleod and finding another pair of oars broke them out, and the

two men rowed us away from the castle toward the mouth of the river.

Evidently Clanranald's impatience had become so great that he could

not remain at sea, for the vessel, with the three lights still

twinkling like stars of hope in the blackness, had ventured into the

river and was near at hand. I sat in the stern-sheets of the boat,

Katharine was next to me, my arm about her, her head upon my shoulder.

The men rowed lustily and in half an hour we were at the ship's side,

in five minutes more Katharine was clasped in Clanranald's arms, the

wherry was turned adrift, the ship's head was cast off shore, the

sails were sheeted home, and we bore away for Holland and Prince

William's court--for happiness, for love, for freedom.

Ere we went below into the comfortable cabin to tell the Earl our

story, I was stopped by dame Alison and Macleod.

"Lord Stenwold, sir?" asked the former.

"Dame Alison," said I, "he will kiss no more women this side of hell,

for he lies dead in his own castle by my own hand."

"That is well done, sir," said Macleod heartily. "Thank you and

good-night."

He touched his bonnet, turned and, followed by his wife, disappeared.

Lady Katharine was standing in the light that broke from the cabin

door looking toward me. I was very happy, very thankful. I took off

my own hat in turn, looked up to the stars, and made a brief

soldier's prayer before I followed her into the cabin.

"I thank Thee too, O Lord, and good-night!"

THE END

Transcriber's note: The title page says the book had four

illustrations, but the source book had only three, and since

the book had no list of illustrations, it's unknown which

one was missing.