BEHIND LOCKED DOORS
The shrieks were uttered by Elsa Winkler, who frantically rushed to
the horse block, demanding: "Where? Where?"
Mrs. Trent gave one glance at the rough, unkempt woman, and sternly
remarked:
"Elsa, you forget yourself! Go back indoors, at once."
The unhappy creature shivered at this unfamiliar tone, yet abated
nothing of her outcry:
"My money! My money! My money!"
She had come to the ranch thinking only of Jessica's mysterious
absence, and meaning to do something, anything, which might help or
comfort the child's mother; but the long walk, for one so heavy and
unaccustomed to exercise, had made her physically ill by the time she
reached Sobrante. Which state of things was wholly satisfactory to
Aunt Sally, who, having received the visitor with dismay, now promptly
suggested bed and rest, saying:
"You poor creatur'! You're clean beat out! If you don't take care,
you'll have a dreadful fit of sickness, and I don't know who'd wait on
you if you did. Not with all this trouble on hand. You go right
straight up into one them back chambers, where the bed is all made up
ready, and put yourself to bed, and--stay there! Don't you dast get
up again till I say so; else I won't answer for the consequences.
You're as yeller as saffron, and as red as a beet. Them two colors
mixed on a human countenance means--somethin'! To bed, Elsa Winkler;
to bed right away. I'll fetch you up a cup of tea and a bite of
victuals. Don't tarry."
"But--the mistress!" Elsa had panted. "I come so long for to speak her
good cheer. I must see the mistress, then I rest."
"The mistress isn't seeing anybody just now, except me and--a few
others. You do as I say, or you'll never knit another wool shawl."
"No, no. I knit no more, forever, is it? Not I. Why the reason? The
more one earns the more one may lose. Yes, yes, indeed. Yes."
"That's the true word," Mrs. Benton had replied; "and so being you've
no yarn to worry you, nor no mistress to see, off to bed, I say, and
don't you dast to get sick on my hands, I warn you!"
So Elsa had obeyed the command, glad enough to rest and be idle for a
time. Aunt Sally had seen to it that the visitor was kept duly alarmed
concerning her red-and-yellow condition, nor had she given the
permission to arise when Wolfgang and Otto arrived from their
fruitless visit to El Desierto. They found the place crowded with
returning searchers, and joyfully hailed the good news of Jessica's
safety. But when there was added to this the information that their
own property had been found, they demanded to be taken to Elsa, and it
was their visit to her room which had sent her afield, half-clad, and
with thought for nothing but her lost treasure.
Even now, husband and son joined their entreaties to hers, though
Samson soon brought them to hear reason, and to withdraw from public
for the present, asking, indignantly:
"Have you folks lost all your manners, as well as your dollars, up
there on the foothill? The idee of a woman screeching her lungs out
afore all the ranchers in Southern Californy! Your money? Well, what
of it? If it's found, it'll be give to you, and if it isn't you ain't
the first feller's been robbed. Besides, can't you smell? Don't you
know that you're interruptin' the prettiest spread ever was seen at
old Sobrante? Like chicken? Like roast pig? Like hot biscuit and plum
sess? Then go wash your face, and make your folks fix up and come
enjoy yourself. So far as I hear, it's old Pedro holds the cash, and
you might as well try to move the Sierras as him, if he ain't ready to
move. At this present writin' he's set himself guard over that
scalliwag, Ferd, and I ain't envying him his job, I ain't. Hurry up,
there won't be anything but necks and drumsticks left for you
laggards."
Thus admonished and reassured, Wolfgang hurried his family away to
prepare for the feast, and the interruption they had caused to the
proceedings at the horse block effectually relieved Mrs. Trent from an
immediate answer to an awkward question, so she said:
"Come, daughter. I see by Aunt Sally's manner that she wishes the
people would begin to eat. Every pair of hands, that belongs to us,
must help in serving these kind neighbors who have flocked to our aid.
Some of them have forty good miles to ride before they sleep, and they
must be fed first. I'll stand by the head table yonder, and name
them, and do you, for whom they left their business, wait upon them
yourself. That will show them your gratitude, and give them honor
due."
So it was, and to every dish she brought, the little captain added a
graceful word of thanks, which seasoned the food better than even Aunt
Sally's wondrous skill had done; and many an encomium did the child
hear, in return, of that lost father who had made himself so
well-beloved in all that countryside.
When all was over and done, when the last "neighbor" had ridden
homeward, when everybody had had his fill, and more than his fill of
good things, and the rudely constructed tables had been removed from
the wide lawn, came Aunt Sally, beaming with happiness, and glanced
over the scene, till there broke from her lips the wondering
question:
"Can this be the same spot that was so dark and lonely yesterday? I've
had my heartstrings so stretched and tugged at, betwixt joy and
sorrow, that I don't know myself. I--I believe I'm tired! And if I am,
it's about the first time in my life. Well, well! Talking of
Christmas--this little supper we've just give is about equal to forty
Christmases in one. Seem's if."
"Dear, kind, Aunt Sally, how shall I ever thank you for all you've
done for us?" cried Mrs. Trent, appearing at her friend's side, and
impetuously clasping the portly matron. The embrace was so unexpected,
for the ranch mistress was never a demonstrative woman, that its
recipient was, for the instant, speechless; the next, she had turned
herself about and demanded:
"Gabriella Trent, have you had a bite to eat?"
"No. Have you, Mrs. Benton?"
"Not a morsel. I'm as empty as a bubble. No more has the captain
touched a thing. She's here, there and everywhere, among her precious
'boys,' yet not a one of 'em has the decency to say: 'Share my supper,
Lady Jess.' If they were my 'boys,' I'd----"
"No, you wouldn't, mother. And I'm glad to see you two women resting a
spell. Keep on sitting there. We're going to wait on you now, and
don't you believe we haven't put by the pick of the pies for you all!
The captain is fetchin' the tackers, and Pasqual's fetchin' the food.
But what about old Pedro and the coyote?"
"John, don't call names, 'specially hard ones. They always come home
to roost. But I'm glad you do some credit to your upraisin', and did
remember that somebody else, except yourself, might be hungry. Wait,
Gabriell'. Don't you worry about that Indian. I'll just step in and
fix him somethin'."
"You'd better not, mother. He's got all the company he wants at this
present writing."
This was sufficient to spur Mrs. Benton's energy afresh. Curiosity was
her besetting sin, and she could not endure that anything should go on
about the ranch in which she had no hand. Rising rather hastily from a
chair that was much too frail for her weight, she and it came to
grief, and the fact diverted her attention for the time.
John was glad of this, though outwardly he sympathized with her slight
mishap, and facetiously offered her a dose of her own picra.
Mrs. Trent also rose, saying:
"I will go to Pedro. Though I did try to thank him, when he first
came, I had but a moment to give him then, and I fear he will feel he
has been neglected. As if I could ever neglect one to whom I owe my
darling's restoration!"
Mrs. Benton looked after her, and sighed.
"There she goes again! and that woman hasn't tasted a mouthful in a
dog's age!"
"How long's a 'dog's age,' Aunt Sally?" demanded Ned as he helped
himself to a buttered biscuit which Pasqual had just placed on the old
lady's plate.
"Age as long as a dog," commented Luis, seizing the biscuit from his
mate and running away with it. Of course, Ned gave chase, and the
usual battle ensued, after which they dropped down upon the spot where
they had fought, threw their arms around each other's necks, and
munched the biscuit together with an air of cherubic delight.
Everybody laughed at the pair, upon which Aunt Sally now descended
with a threatening mien and a plate of plum cake.
"Ain't you ashamed of yourselves, you naughty children? Fighting half
your time. Here! Eat that and let your suppers stop. By the way, how
many suppers have you had already?"
"Six or seven," promptly replied Ned, who had eaten with whoever
invited him.
"Sixty-seven," echoed Luis.
"Then to bed you go, this instant!" And off they were marched, without
delay. Of course, this was another postponement of Mrs. Benton's own
meal, but she didn't mind that, so long as she had an opportunity to
deal with the small lads. Explaining to them, as she undressed and
bathed them: "You'd go to wrack and ruin if 'twasn't for me takin' a
hand in your upbringin' now and then. You pull the wool over
Gabriella's eyes the worst ever was. My! What you doing now, Edward
Trent?"
"Pullin' wool, like you said!" and wound the white blanket he had
caught from his cot the more tightly about Luis' head.
Meanwhile, the ranch mistress had gained the office and asked
admission at its locked door. When a long wait ensued, she reflected
rather anxiously upon what the men had often said, "That Old Century
is as top-lofty as a king. Thinks he is a king, in his own rights, and
his having lived a hundred years makes him better'n anybody else."
This was quite true. Faithful and devoted to her as he was, the
shepherd exacted even from her the respect that was his due. On that
day he felt that much more than ordinary consideration was owing him;
yet he had been left for hours, unvisited by her for whom he had done,
and meant still to do, so much. Therefore, it was with a bearing full
of injured dignity that he at last slid the bolt and opened the door,
though he did not invite the visitor to enter, nor withdraw from the
opening.
"I came to see about your supper, good Pedro. Do you know that it has
been cooked in the old mission oven? That should make it taste fine to
you. You must pardon my not being earlier, but there have been so
many, many guests. All gone now, save our own people."
"Senorita, am I not also a guest, yes? Was one at Sobrante as old as
me? Should not I have ruled the feast?"
"Indeed, you should, my friend, if there had been any ruling whatever.
It was simply take and eat, and away to their distant homes. You are
already at home, nor have I, either, tasted food. Come now and feast
with me. I am hungry, and so should you be. You mustn't keep the
mistress waiting, you know!"
Pedro's countenance had softened, and he had expended all his
sternness, but his caution remained. With a significant glance toward
his prisoner, the dwarf, he shook his head.
"When he is safe, then will I break my fast. The senorita does me
honor."
"That is what I should like to do, dear Pedro. But is not poor Ferd
safe in here? Can we not send him in some supper and turn the lock
upon him?"
She could not hide the repugnance she felt toward the miserable,
misshapen creature, now sleeping on the floor, and after one glance in
his direction looked swiftly away. But that glance had been sufficient
to startle her by its resemblance to another face she hoped never to
see again.
Pedro's keen old eyes noticed her surprise and dismay, and he smiled
grimly.
"The mistress sees. Slumber shows it--the likeness. One breed of
snakes were in the den. Fear both, watch both, for they are brothers.
Yes."
This, then, explained many things; not the least, the wonderful
influence and control which Antonio had always maintained over his
half-witted "left hand," as the "boys" called the unfortunate
hunchback.
"Antonio--Ferdinand--both Bernals--brothers?" asked Mrs. Trent, in a
tremulous voice.
"Si. Yes, indeed. In truth."
"And all this time nobody knew or suspected it?"
"Senorita, the master knew. That was part of his great goodness to the
wicked one who would ruin him if he could. 'Ware Antonio--'ware Ferd.
One is the shadow of the other. One thinks, the other works. When
Antonio went, Ferd stayed. No good, senorita. Watch him."
The lady sat down upon the nearest chair, and, as she did so, caught
sight of the basket upon the desk. It was filled to overflowing with
articles of various sorts, and beside it lay the curious metal-pointed
staff. Her impulse was to reach forward and take it, but the Indian
arrested her hand by an upward motion of his own. Then he opened it
himself and showed her, at the bottom, a number of leathern bags with
knitted covers.
"Elsa's money?"
Pedro silently assented.
"Oh, let us call her, and give it back to her at once."
"Fools must learn. Let the miner come, and Samson."
Mrs. Trent stepped outside and dispatched a messenger for the two men,
who presently came; the one glum and offended, thinking in his slow
way that he had been made a jest of, and that the money his wife so
loved had not, after all, been found. The other, as always, proud and
alert to serve the "admiral."
When they had entered the room, Wolfgang's eyes at once rested
greedily upon the basket, which Pedro had again closed, as if he
guessed what treasure lay within. Samson's glance went straight to the
sleeping dwarf, and an almost irresistible impulse to kick the inert
figure possessed him. But he restrained himself, and colored high when
he met the lady's own glance.
"No, Samson, please. No violence. Yet it is Pedro's wise advice that
Ferd be placed under the charge of somebody who shall know at all
times just where he is and what he is about. Will you take that
charge, herder?"
"That ain't the kind of cattle I keep, 'admiral.'"
"I understand it isn't a pleasant task. That's not the question, which
is simply: Will you be responsible for--Ferdinand Bernal?"
The mighty sailor fairly jumped, but his reply was: "You could knock
me down with a feather!"
Mrs. Trent laughed. "Yes, it is strange. But look sharp. The
resemblance is strong. Pedro knows the relationship, and my husband
knew it. I did not, until just now. Something better may suggest
itself to you or me, but for the present, will you take charge of this
unhappy one?"
A delayed and most reluctant "Yes" came at last from the herder's
lips. If he had been asked to punish the dwarf the answer would have
been swift and eager; but "take charge!" That meant constant
association, decent treatment and responsibility for the most
"slippery" of human beings.
"Then, please take him away at once."
Ferd had roused, and was sitting up; so that when Samson laid his
great hand on the lad's shoulder, the latter understood, in a dim way,
that he was now the herder's, rather than the shepherd's prisoner. Of
the two, he would have preferred the latter keeper; but he would
bother with neither very long.
It was a relief when the door closed upon the outgoing pair, and Pedro
rose and locked it. There was something preternaturally solemn and
mysterious in his manner as, placing a chair nearer to the desk for
Mrs. Trent, he motioned Wolfgang to take another opposite. Then,
standing between them he drew the basket toward himself, and keeping
one hand upon it, thrust the other within his shirt and drew from that
the reddish bit of rock which Jessica had seen him so careful of.
Holding it so that the last rays of the sun fell through the window
full upon it, he extended it on his open palm and demanded of the
miner:
"What?"