JAMES, DUKE OF YORK
The clocks of Westminster were striking eight as I drew near the place I
had been bidden to come in Whitehall. My heart beat fast at thought of
what might happen to me, and of the commands which might be laid upon
me, yet did I go on without faltering, for the more I wondered at the
happening the more did I desire to know why I was commanded thither. The
clock had barely ceased striking when a hand was laid upon my shoulder.
"Master Roland Rashcliffe," a voice whispered in my ear.
"You speak as if you know," I replied, and turning I saw a man of grave
demeanour, and of somewhat sad countenance.
"Follow me. Ask no questions, and make no protest at aught you may see."
This he also said in a whisper, and although I obeyed him I liked not
the secrecy of the business. As I passed along I noticed that many
people were around, and that all seemed to be in gay humour and in gay
attire. Truly the coming of the king had made a difference to London
town. The whole city seemed to be given over to pleasure, and none of
that solemn decorum which marked it a year before was now manifest.
We had not gone far when we left Whitehall and entered the park which
lies behind. Here also were the same scenes of gaiety. Indeed, never had
I seen so many gaily-dressed women in my life before. The park was in
the summer of its loveliness, flowers bloomed on all sides, the trees
were in wellnigh full leaf, the birds sang, while loud laughter, both
among men and women, was to be heard continually. My companion paid no
heed to any of these things, however. He strode quickly along, stopped
at the door of one of the houses, and a minute later I stood behind him
in one of the great houses. Without hesitation he led the way upstairs,
and without ceremony entered a large room. As far as I could judge it
had been but lately fitted up, for the things I saw were new, and shone
with much splendour. Nevertheless, it did not look like a residence, but
rather appeared to be a place where a man of authority might gather his
friends around him. No one was in the room, and although it stood so
near to Whitehall the utmost silence reigned, except that I thought that
I heard whispering voices in an adjoining compartment.
"Do not dare to oppose him," said the man who accompanied me; "assent to
all his commands, agree with all he saith, although your judgement will
lead you otherwise. Above all be silent as death afterwards. Remember,
he hath no mercy."
"You speak of the Duke of York?"
"I speak of the next king," he replied. "Therefore, do as I bid you, and
be wise. Be surprised at nothing you may hear, even if he saith things
that should not be heard by such a youth as you."
He had scarcely finished speaking when two men entered the room. The one
was the Duke of York; I had seen him ride away in the king's coach by
the side of the king when he left Dover. His appearance, as I thought,
was changed. I thought then that he was, although of somewhat austere
countenance, pleasant to look upon. That night he looked angry and
cruel. His face was heavy, and, if I mistook not, besotted, but whether
he had been partaking freely of wine I could not tell. His companion's
face was hidden, and although I thought I detected something familiar in
his gait, I knew not who he was.
"This is the youth?"
"It is, Your Grace."
The duke looked at me sternly and silently, as though he would read my
heart, and although I dared to lift my eyes to his but once, I thought
his eyes were bloodshot. Having seated himself, he bade me come near to
him.
"Master Roland Rashcliffe?" he said.
"Yes, Your Grace," I replied.
"Tell me, boy, is your father an honest man?"
The question was asked abruptly, as though he would take me unawares.
"He fought for your father," I replied.
"So did many a knave, until he thought he would gain by joining the
rebels."
At this I was silent.
"Why did he send thee to find out if there was any truth in the lying
story that his Majesty married the wench Lucy Walters?"
"To discover the truth," I replied, for it seemed to me at that moment
as though there were nought else to say.
At this he laughed, but the laugh was cruel, and never did I hear a
man's voice that had less mirth in it.
"Well, what have you found?" he said presently. "You left your home many
days ago. You went to Folkestone, from thence you made a midnight
journey to a lonely house. Tell me how you fared, and what trophies you
possess as a result of your valour."
At this I was silent, for in truth never did words appear more dangerous
than at this moment.
"How now, sirrah! You do not speak!"
King's brother though he was, he made me angry, and I resented the tones
he used towards me.
"What, you do not answer me? Know you that you do wrong in making me
angry? I tell you it would be an easy matter to put another in the
already flowing prisons of England, and so I bid you beware. What did
you discover at the lonely house, and what did you bring away?"
"You should already know, Your Grace," I replied boldly, for by this
time all my fear of him had gone. Perhaps my anger had driven it away.
If it had, it were no wonder, for had I been a lackey he could not have
spoken with less courtesy, while the thickness of his voice, and his
rheumy eyes, made me feel sure that he had been drinking heavily.
"What mean you, young malapert?" he asked.
"I mean that I was attacked by men who used your name when riding to
London," I answered; "that they dragged me from my horse, and searched
me to the skin. If I had possessed aught they would surely have brought
it to you."
At this I was in doubt as to what course he would take. I saw the blood
mount to his cheek, and anger gleam from his eyes, while he lifted his
hand as if he would strike me. But this was only for a moment. Instead
of yielding to anger he burst into a great laugh, as though he had heard
a good joke.
"Ha, ha!" he cried, "you discovered that you could do nought without
discovery, eh? You found out that the royal arm can strike far, eh? You
learnt that you cannot hunt in royal domains without being bitten by the
keeper's dogs? Is that not so, my young springald?"
"The king's brother is not the king," I cried, for now I saw that unless
I would place myself entirely in his power I must take a bold course.
"What mean you?" he cried.
"I mean that when I have discovered aught that affects the king, I will
bear my message to the king," I replied, "but, until then, I will hold
my peace as a man should."
"I have a good mind to send you to the dungeons."
"If you did I should soon be a free man again," I replied.
"And how is that?"
"The king would soon hear that his brother threw a youth into prison
because that youth knew something that affected the king's honour," I
replied. "And the king, on hearing of this, would demand to see him, and
he would tell his Majesty many things."
"Tut, tut, youth," he said, still gazing at me curiously. "Do not think
because you have answered me pertly that you have answered me wisely,
and do not imagine that although a man doth not wear a crown he hath no
power. Oh, I see how it is. You were carried away by what you saw when
the king came to London. You saw the London Corporation do his Majesty
homage at St. George in the Fields, you saw the streets all flaunting
with bunting, you beheld the twelve hundred velvet-coated lackeys, the
footmen in purple, and buff, and silver, and green, and blue; you heard
the trumpets sounding, the people shouting, and the clergy waiting to do
homage to their most gracious and Protestant king. I say, you saw all
this, while they took no notice of the heir-apparent. But it is not
always the man who wears the crown who reigns. Take our brother Louis
across the water. He wore the crown while a priest reigned. It was so
before him. Louis XIII, the man who was always tired, wore the crown,
but Richelieu ruled the land. But wait a little, Mazarin will die, and
then a change will come. Let me tell you something, young malapert. It
is the man with will and brains who reigns, whether he be the king or
the king's brother. Moreover, it is he who is not too much given over to
pleasure, and who holds the true faith."
"Have a care, Your Grace, have a care," said the man who had accompanied
me hither, for he saw what by this time I was assured of, that the
king's brother had partaken of much wine.
"Have a care for whom?" said the duke angrily. "Am I to be bearded by a
boy? Look you here, and remember," and his voice was thick as he spoke,
"the king's brother can bestow benefits as well as the king, remember
that, and the king's brother can reward those who are faithful. Besides,
the man who is only the king's brother to-day may be king next year.
Never forget. And think of something else. A man need not be anointed by
a bishop to alter a country's laws. Hath any law been passed against the
Presbyterians or Puritans or Dissenters? What saith the king? 'Justice
to all.' Yet even at this time hundreds of Presbyterians and Puritans
have been ousted from their pulpits, while Independents and Baptists
crowd our gaols. Who hath done this? 'Oh, no man hath done it,' is the
reply. It is all because the Episcopalians believe that now Charles
Stuart is come back they can e'en send the others apacking. But who
shall say they have heard no word from James Stuart?"
"Your Grace! Your Grace!"
"Ay, cannot a man speak his own mind? This boy is not a fool, and will
know how to be discreet. And now I have a word more to say. Have you,
Master Roland Rashcliffe, discovered aught concerning this supposed
marriage contract between the king and Lucy Walters?"
"Yes," I replied, before I was well aware, and for which word I was
ready to bite my tongue out.
"You have seen it?" and I noticed that he spoke more clearly, as though
my news had sharpened his wits.
"I have seen that which purports to be what you inquire after," I
replied.
Never did I see a man change more suddenly. He seemed to throw off the
effects of wine in an instant.
"You have seen it? Where?"
At this I was silent, for I felt not like giving away my secret.
"Speak, Roland, I command you."
I started, for it was my father's voice which I had heard, and then I
knew that it was he who had entered the room with the duke, and who had
hidden his face from me.
"Father!" I cried.
"Ay, it is I, Roland, and it is I who command you to tell his Grace what
he desires to know. I have told him nothing because I have seen nothing,
but it is my will that you tell him what you have seen."
My father's presence set me wondering greatly. As I have said, I had not
seen him since my return to London, and now to discover that he had been
in communication with the king's brother staggered me. Rightly or
wrongly, I concluded that he could gain no hearing with his Majesty, and
so had sought an audience with the duke.
"Remember," said the duke, "this story is lies from end to end. Yet I do
not say that some one hath not forged such a contract. Moreover, if such
a contract, although it is as valueless as the paper on which it is
written, were to pass from hand to hand, it would set gossips' tongues
wagging, and perchance unhinge affairs of state. You say you have seen
this. Where have you seen it?"
In spite of myself I could not help pausing, and whether the king's
brother had fears concerning what I should do with my knowledge, or
whether he desired to enlist my friendship, I know not, but before I
could speak, he went on--
"Did you read it?"
"Ay, I read it."
"What did it say?"
"It was a marriage contract between his Majesty and the Welsh girl, Lucy
Walters."
"You can take your oath to this?"
"I can take my oath that I read such words on a piece of parchment."
"Signed by Charles Stuart?"
"Ay, and by others."
"Their names?"
"Pierre Rousseau and Francois Abelard."
"You swear this?"
"I swear that I saw such a parchment."
"But where? Tell me where?"
"It was in such a strange place that I cannot describe it. Yet methinks
I could find it again."
He seemed so carried away by what I had told him that he started to his
feet.
"Find it, Master Roland Rashcliffe, and bring it to me. If you will do
this, you may depend on my smile all your life through."
"Obey his Grace, Roland," said my father.
"Stay," said the duke, directly my father had spoken, and I thought
suspicion gleamed in his eyes. "Your father informs me that your
discovery was made before we landed on English shores. You were at Dover
at our coming. What have you been doing with yourself since?"
"If you will ask Caleb Bullen, he will tell you I have been staying at
the _Virgin Queen_, at St. Paul's Cross," I said; then, fearing further
questions, I went on, "but the thing you require of me is not easy of
accomplishment. Already I have nearly lost my life in the search
thereof, and----"
"I have nought to do with that," he interrupted. "Set out without delay
and bring this thing to me, and this I will promise. I will see to it
that all your father's estates are restored, and I will take it upon
myself to assure your future. There is many an Independent fattening
upon fair estates who will soon be in gaol; there is many a highborn
dame who will gladly accept the hand of the youth upon whom the Duke of
York smiles. Now, then, I seek to hear no more, and know no more. But
stay, all such business requires money. Garnett, see to it that a purse
with a hundred pounds be given to him. And more, what is done must be
done secretly, and no man must know thy doings."
With this he left the room, and without another word passed out of my
sight. I make confession here that the interview wellnigh stunned me.
The duke had not been one, but three men during the time we had been
together. At one time he had been cruel, hard, stern; at another he
seemed to have his wits muddled with wine, when he had spoken in a way
unworthy his high estate; and yet when he left me he made me feel that
he was a man to be obeyed, strong, masterful, and clear-minded. In
addition to this, my father had evidently been in secret conclave with
him, and it was he who had bidden me obey the duke's commands.
Therefore, although I was sorely bewildered, because he had commanded I
must perforce obey.
One thing gave me peace of mind, and that was the fact that no mention
had been made of the woman I had released at Bedford. I felt sure that
did the duke dream of my action towards the woman who was accused of
attempting the murder of General Monk, he would have used it as a threat
in order to make me do his will. As it was, he took both my obedience
and my silence for granted, and seemingly had no doubts, in spite of my
behaviour during the first part of the interview, that I should dare to
refuse his bidding.
"You have heard?" said the man who had accompanied me. "You have your
work--do it."
I did not answer, for at this moment my father returned.
"Roland," he said, "here are the hundred pounds. You will note that they
come from me. Obey his Grace's command. It is not only his will, but
mine. Now haste, for I fear you have wasted time. Good-bye, and fear
nothing."
At this he left me again, while I stood gazing at the door through which
he had passed, almost too surprised for words.
"You have heard," said Master Garnett, "now go and be thankful. I need
not tell you to be silent. You are not one who is foolish enough to talk
with every passerby, but remember this--if you fail to do the duke's
bidding the four seas that wash our shores would not save you from his
anger."
Five minutes later I was in the street again, and that which I had seen
and heard was only as a dream. Still, I had a hundred pounds in my
pouch, and I knew that in accordance with the command of the king's
brother, I must e'en make a second attempt to obtain what I at that time
believed might be the king's marriage contract.
Within two hours of that time I was on horseback again, for by this time
the fever of adventure was upon me, and I determined to again find my
way within the walls of Pycroft Hall, and to take the parchment I had
seen from its strange hiding place.
As I rode along I wondered that I had been content to wait in London so
long, and had not, without the duke's command, sought to outwit the old
man I had seen in the lonely house. For although I believed the old man
had never imagined that I should escape alive, and therefore would not
remove the contract from its hiding place until he was able to make
terms with the king, I remembered that several days had elapsed wherein
he might have carried it I know not whither. It was then I remembered
that the great thought in my mind had not been to obtain the parchment
which might alter the destiny of the nation, but to give help to the
woman with whom I had so strangely been brought into contact. In truth
it came to me that so eager had I been to hear news of her after I had
returned to London town that I had scarcely ever thought of the mission
which had brought us together. At this I grew angry with myself, for
although she was very fair to look upon she was a Dissenter at heart,
the wife of a man who had taken part in the death of the king's father,
and was even then hiding from those who would bring her to punishment.
As I said, I grew angry with myself because of this, yet in spite of my
anger I wondered much concerning her, and prayed most earnestly for her
safety and her welfare.
By the time daylight dawned I was far away from London, and was riding
through one of the fairest tracts of country of which perchance our
country can boast. I have, during my life, had occasion to ride through
many parts of our land, but never do I remember thinking aught so fair
as that through which I passed that day. The sun rose in a cloudless
sky, the birds were singing all around me as they perched upon the leafy
trees, while on my right hand, and on my left, the countryside rose and
fell in gentle hills and dales.
"How quiet and restful everything is," I thought, and then I reflected
that the day was the Sabbath, so I let Black Ben drop into a walk, in
order that I might be able to enjoy with more comfort the beauty of the
scene.
The sun was high in the heavens when I saw that I was drawing near a
small town, so I determined that I would stay there for breakfast, never
dreaming that I should pass through such a strange experience, and yet
one the like of which was being witnessed all over the country.