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diff --git a/old/55717-0.txt b/old/55717-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 478aa95..0000000 --- a/old/55717-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,8619 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of In the Days of Queen Mary, by -Edward Ebenezer (Edward E.) Crake - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - - -Title: In the Days of Queen Mary - -Author: Edward Ebenezer (Edward E.) Crake - -Illustrator: Walter Sydney (W. S.) Stacy - -Release Date: October 9, 2017 [EBook #55717] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK IN THE DAYS OF QUEEN MARY *** - - - - -Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Barry Abrahamsen and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - IN THE DAYS OF - QUEEN MARY - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - [Illustration: HE SHOWED NO SIGN OF LIFE. _Frontispiece._] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - IN THE DAYS OF - QUEEN MARY - - - - - BY - - EDWARD E. CRAKE, M.A., F.R.HIST.SOC. - (RECTOR OF JEVINGTON) - - AUTHOR OF "HENRI DUQUESNE," "WHEN THE PURITANS WERE IN POWER," - "THE ROYALIST BROTHERS," "DAME JOAN OF PEVENSEY," ETC. - - - - - _ILLUSTRATED BY W. S. STACEY_ - - - - - PUBLISHED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE GENERAL - LITERATURE COMMITTEE - - - - - LONDON - - SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE - - NORTHUMBERLAND AVENUE, W.C.; 43, QUEEN VICTORIA STREET, E.C. - - BRIGHTON: 129, NORTH STREET - - NEW YORK: E. S. GORHAM - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - DEDICATED - - (_by permission_) - - TO - - HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CONTENTS - - - CHAP. PAGE - I CHIDDINGLY PLACE 7 - - II THE APPARITOR 16 - - III THE PURSUIVANT 27 - - IV THAMES PIRATES 48 - - V GRAY'S INN 58 - - VI THE STAR CHAMBER 72 - - VII THE ARREST OF RALPH 87 - - VIII THE VERDICT 96 - - IX THE DAWN OF HOPE 104 - - X WHITEHALL 112 - - XI THE BATTLE OF ST. QUENTIN 129 - - XII THE FALL OF ST. QUENTIN 144 - - XIII THE SCHWARTZREITERS 156 - - XIV BRUSSELS, ANTWERP, CALAIS 175 - - XV CALAIS 190 - - XVI HOME AGAIN 202 - - XVII THREE CLOSING SCENES 215 - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - ILLUSTRATED BOOKS - - BY - - _THE SAME AUTHOR_ - - ---------- - - -=Dame Joan of Pevensey.= A Sussex Tale. Crown 8vo, cloth boards, 1_s._ -6_d._ - -=Henri Duquesne.= A Sussex Romance. Crown 8vo, cloth boards, 1_s._ - -=The Royalist Brothers.= A Tale of the Siege of Colchester. Crown 8vo, -cloth boards, 2_s._ 6_d._ - -=When the Puritans were in Power.= A Tale of the Great Rebellion. Crown -8vo, cloth boards, 2_s._ - - -------------- - - SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE, - - LONDON: NORTHUMBERLAND AVENUE, W.C. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - [Illustration: Decoration] - - IN THE - DAYS OF QUEEN MARY - - - CHAPTER I - - CHIDDINGLY PLACE - - -The sun was setting, and a rosy light filtered through the trees which -enshrouded Chiddingly Place. - -The cawing of the rooks, as they winged their leisurely flight into the -great rookery, alone broke the silence which sweetly brooded over the -broad terrace on which two Sussex boys lay extended on the velvety turf. -It was Midsummer Day—a day of unbroken sunshine and excessive heat. - -In the evening a refreshing wind had revived the parched earth, and the -gay flowers which spangled the wide-spreading lawn were lifting their -drooped heads with renewed life. - -The stone-mullioned windows of the Tudor house were thrown wide open, -and the lads could see the maids within the dining-hall busily engaged -in laying the supper for which they were more than ready. - -"Come, Ralph," said William, as he bestirred himself, "we must go -indoors and make ourselves presentable. Uncle John comes to-night, and -he will soon be here." - -"Oh, don't hurry," answered his brother, as he lay playing with two fine -retrievers. "I love to watch the purple light on the downs as the sun -sinks behind them; I could gladly lie here all night!" - -"I agree with you," answered William; "but here comes Sue with orders, I -expect, from the powers that be, that we are to go indoors at once." - -Susan was the only sister of the two boys, and at her approach the dogs -ran forward to greet her, and the boys rose quickly from their mossy -couch. - -The boys were twins, and as they stood side by side the likeness between -them was striking. - -They were in their eighteenth year, and fine specimens were they of the -race of the "Sudseaxe." Tall and well built, fair haired and blue eyed, -their strong limbs and fresh complexions betokened youths whose lives -had been spent amid the woods and forests of Sussex, or on the rolling -downs which stretched between Chiddingly and the sea. - -Yet these boys were not unlettered, for both of them had been -"foundation scholars" in the famous St. Paul's School, built and endowed -by Dean Colet. - -Nay, more, the youths had already seen something of Court life, strange -to say. - -It happened in this wise. - -Their uncle Sir John Jefferay was a famous London lawyer, and he bid -fair to occupy a great position on the judicial bench. - -At this time he was the Treasurer of Gray's Inn, and on the occasion of -a grand masque, given in the fine hall of the Inn by the Fellows, his -two nephews had taken the parts of Castor and Pollux. The young King had -honoured the performance with his royal presence, and so struck was he -with the wonderful resemblance of the two Sussex brothers that he -ordered them to Court and spent much time in their company. - -In fact this resemblance was very remarkable. Those who knew the boys -best could hardly tell them apart, and to avoid the continual mistakes -which would otherwise have occurred, William always wore a grey cap and -his brother a blue one. - -The fondest affection subsisted between them; they were rarely seen -apart; the one was the complement of the other, and their father, -William Jefferay, would often declare that "they possessed two bodies, -but only one soul!" - -Just now they were released from their attendance at Court, but they -would have to return thither shortly, for the sickly young King found a -solace in their company. - -There was one point upon which the boys were pre-eminently in agreement— -they both adored their sister Sue, and her slightest wish was law to -them. - -And well did the fair Susan deserve this devotion. Three short years -before, the boys had become motherless, and Susan, as the eldest member -of the family, at once assumed the domestic control of Chiddingly Place. -The comfort, the happiness, the welfare of the boys became her chief -object in life. - -She even shared in their sports—as far as a girl could,—and to her every -secret of their hearts was laid bare; she was their "dea patrona," and -for her both William and Ralph would have gladly laid down their lives -at any time or place. - -In person Susan was a feminine replica of the twins. She possessed their -fair complexion and laughing blue eyes—her hair hung, like theirs, in -thick masses over her shoulders. - -Though slenderly built she was tall, and her figure displayed the -nameless grace of a well-born English girl. - - -------------- - -"Come, boys," cried Susan, as she ran forth to the terrace to greet -them, "Uncle John will be here in a few minutes; his grooms arrived an -hour ago with his baggage, and now they have set his room in order for -him. Hurry up, or you will keep supper waiting!" - -The boys answered her greeting merrily, and taking her hands they ran by -her side towards the entrance porch, which they entered just as Uncle -John appeared upon the scene. - -Susan ran out to salute him as he dismounted from his grey sorrel—the -boys darted upward to their rooms. - -As Sir John entered the house, his brother William came forward to greet -him with the warmest of welcomes. - - -------------- - -It was a happy party which gathered in the dining-hall that evening. - -The supper was served at so early an hour that the candles in the silver -sconces were not yet required: the light of day still gleamed into the -hall through the lozenge-paned oriel window, and sent coloured streams -across the fair napery of the table as it passed through the stained -glass of armorial bearings. Sir John sat at the head of the table, as he -always did when he came to Chiddingly—though he had made a "deed of -gift" of the Place in favour of his brother William when he took up his -abode in London. - -Presently the shadows of evening began to deepen, and the wax tapers -were lit. - -How pleasant the hall looked as the light shone on the wainscoted walls -and illumined the features of past generations of Jefferays whose -portraits adorned the beautiful chamber! - -There was John Jefferay, who purchased Chiddingly Place in 1495, and -beside him was the portrait of his wife Agnes, whose fine features bore -a strong resemblance to Susan. - -Their three sons were there—Richard, Thomas and William, Richard being -the father of the famous Sir John who now sat at supper in the hall. - - -------------- - -And when the young people of the family had withdrawn to the parlour, to -amuse themselves with music and merry games, Sir John and his brother -stepped out on to the lawn and entered into grave discourse as they -walked to and fro. - -The stars were shining brightly, a soft, gentle wind was stirring the -tree-tops, and from the woods around came the sweet songs of many a -nightingale. - -"Ah, what a contrast is this scene of tranquil peace and happiness to -the wild drama which is unfolding itself in London!" said Sir John. - -"Here I may speak words to you, brother William, which might cost me my -head if men overheard them in town. I have come to Chiddingly sick at -heart and weary of the world, for the young King is dying, and all the -beasts and birds of prey are gathering together at Court ready to fly at -each others' throats as soon as the life is out of his poor body. Alas! -alas! for England; I see no hope for her but in God. His Grace of -Northumberland is straining every nerve to advance the cause of Lady -Jane Grey and his son Lord Guildford Dudley, and I foresee that, ere -long, the headsman will be busy, and the innocent will suffer with the -guilty. - -"Last night his Grace of Canterbury came to me in great trouble; he -would fain know if he might legally sign certain State documents, and I -told him that if he did so it would be at the peril of his head! Alas, -poor Archbishop! he went away greatly perturbed. - -"Yesterday I saw the Lord Mayor, and he vowed to me that no earthly -power should constrain him to proclaim Lady Jane as Queen in the City— -let me tell you his heart is wholly with the Lady Mary, and, by my -troth, he is wise! For, as a lawyer, I declare that the rights to the -throne of the Ladies Mary and Elizabeth are indefeasible; yet, if I said -as much in London to-day, I might spend the night in the Tower, and to- -morrow bid my last adieu to this world on the scaffold! - -"Oh, the times are dark, deadly, perilous, and I am glad to escape from -London and breathe the pure air of Chiddingly for a brief space." - -"And if Mary become Queen, what of our Reformed Church, which is dear to -us both?" inquired William anxiously. - -"Ah! God knows—and God only," answered Sir John. "The Lady Mary is a -bigot, and that we all know. - -"Yet I will tell you a State secret: she has sent a messenger to the -Lord Mayor, declaring that should she be declared Queen, no Englishman -shall suffer for his faith." - -"Will she keep her word?" asked William. - -"_Qui vivra verra_," answered Sir John; "but I foresee that all depends -upon the man whom she shall marry, for marry she will. If, by the mercy -of God, she marry a good man, all may be well; if she marry a bad one, -then God help us!" - -William was deeply moved, and he sighed audibly. - -"It bodes great trouble for England," he said in a troubled voice. "It -may be that the fires of Smithfield will be rekindled as in the worst -days of King Henry: yet I believe that the Reformation has taken a deep -hold upon the country; the Church may bend before a fierce storm of -persecution, but she will not be broken—she will rise again! I, for one, -would rather die than bow my knees to Baal, as represented to me by the -Papacy; and, thank God, there are thousands of men of like mind with me -in Sussex!" - -As William pronounced these words in tones that quivered with emotion, -his brother caught him by the hand, and shaking it warmly, he cried— - -"I know your stedfastness, brother, and I agree with you with all my -heart and soul—yet I pray that God may spare us the trial of our faith! -But hark! I hear an approaching horseman; I expect it is my man Roger, -who is bringing us the latest news from town." - -A few minutes later the groom appeared on the lawn, bearing letters in -his hand. - -Sir John took them from him; then, turning to his brother, he said— - -"Let us go indoors; these letters are from my secretary, and we will -read them at once; they must be of importance, or they would not have -followed me so soon." - -Entering the house the gentlemen made their way to the library—a -comfortable room, well lighted with wax candles, and furnished with -numerous settees and easy-chairs. - -Sir John sat down and eagerly opened his despatches. - -"It is Tremayne who writes," he said. "I will read his letter to you; it -is as follows— - - "'HONOURED SIR, - - "'The Council met to-day, and the deed of which you wot was - signed and sealed—all the members consenting thereto. The Archbishop - hesitated to the last, but His Grace of Northumberland would not be - withstood—and so all signed. I hear that the King is sinking fast. - From your chambers in Gray's Inn, June 21, 1553. J. W. TREMAYNE'" - -The brothers looked at each other with pallid faces. - -"So the 'letters patent' are issued," said Sir John, "and the -irrevocable step is taken! 'Domine, dirige nos'! It is the beginning of -strife of which no man can see the issue. Northumberland relies on aid -from France; the Lady Mary places her hope on the Emperor. I bethink me -of our blessed Lord's words: 'These things are the beginning of sorrows! -Then shall be great tribulation such as was not since the beginning of -the world to this time, no nor ever shall be.' And alas! for the poor -young King, he hath none to comfort him; he is tasting of that -unutterable loneliness that surrounds a throne! I think the end of his -troubles is nigh at hand—and then the great strife will begin! - -"But the hour is growing late, William," said Sir John, "and I hear -Susan's pretty voice below; she is singing one of those songs I love so -well: let us join the young people, I have seen little of them to- -night." - - -------------- - -A fortnight later, on July 6th, King Edward died at Greenwich in the -sixteenth year of his age and the seventh of his reign. - -Sir John had tarried at Chiddingly until the end came; then he hastened -up to London, where pressing duties called him. - -With him went the two boys—to begin their legal studies under the -auspices of their uncle at Gray's Inn, for it was his wish that they -should both enter the learned profession of the law. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER II - - THE APPARITOR - - -It was the year of grace 1556, the third year of the reign of Queen -Mary. - -The forebodings of evil with which her reign had been ushered in were -bitterly fulfilled. - -The headsman's axe had oft-times been in use on Tower Hill: -Northumberland had gone to his doom with no man to pity him; his son -Lord Guildford Dudley had followed him to the block, perhaps equally -unlamented. - -But men were moved to deeper pity and compassion when the young, -innocent, and hapless Lady Jane suffered for her kinsmen's crimes! - -The Reformation had found its "witnesses unto death" in the persons of -Cranmer, Ridley and Latimer, and the flames of Smithfield aroused the -horror of the people; the great "Marian Persecution" had begun, and -already over a hundred victims had been offered up. - -Mary had married her Spanish husband, and England had witnessed the -feeble and ineffectual rebellion of Sir Thomas Wyatt—a protest against -the marriage which did not commend itself to the mass of the people. - -Amid all these scenes of turmoil and confusion, of terror and distress, -the family of the Jefferays at Chiddingly were left unmolested and -undisturbed. - -In many a quiet country village the Services of the Church, as they had -been appointed at the Reformation, were duly performed; the Prayer Book -was not superseded by the Missal, and the parish priest was not -dispossessed. Their obscurity sheltered them—as yet. - -The Vicar of Chiddingly was William Tittleton, who had been appointed to -the benefice in the reign of Henry the Eighth. He had been at Magdalen -College, Oxford, with Sir John Jefferay, where the two young men had -formed a strong and enduring friendship. - -Thus it happened that in due time Sir John presented his friend—now in -Holy Orders—to the benefice of Chiddingly, and the Vicar had returned -the good service by acting as tutor to the young people of Chiddingly -Place. He was a very able scholar, and between him and his pupils a -strong affection subsisted. - -But a change was at hand for the parish of Chiddingly—its peace and -quietude came suddenly to an end. The "Marian Persecution" had begun, -and the lurid flames of Smithfield had aroused horror and indignation in -many English hearts—especially in Sussex, where the Reformation had -taken deep root. - -At this critical moment the Vicar of Chiddingly preached a sermon at -Mayfield which brought him under the censure of the Government, and an -apparitor was sent to make inquiry into the ecclesiastical position of -the little parish. - -The ill-omened visitor attended the simple services of the parish -church, and took copious notes of the Vicar's sermon, to the dismay of -the rustics of Chiddingly. - -The fires of Lewes in the month of June this year had excited their -fierce animosity, and the appearance of the apparitor in their midst -gave birth to a sudden outburst of wrath. - -It was at the close of a lovely day in July—a Sunday—when their anger -found vent. - -They had marked the presence of a stranger at the morning service—a -stern-looking, middle-aged man, garbed in black, and as they came out of -church the men gathered in groups to discuss the object and purpose of -his visit. - -The man was sojourning at the village inn (the "Six Bells"), and thither -he was allowed for the present to retire unmolested, although a strict -watch was at once instituted upon his doings. - -In the afternoon the visitor again attended service, and an ominous -murmur among the rustics became distinctly audible as they observed that -he was again busily taking notes of all that he saw and heard. - -The service over, the man left the church with the intention of -proceeding to the inn, where his horse was stabled; but he was not to be -allowed to leave the village thus quietly. - -Hard by the church was the horse-pond—at this period of the year about -half full of dark slimy water; in the centre of the pond the depth would -be about four or five feet. - -Suddenly the visitor found himself surrounded by a band of determined, -angry-looking Sussex men. - -"What does this mean?" he asked sternly. "Do you men know that I am -about the Queen's business?" - -"Aye, we thought as much, and that's about the reason of it all," -answered the spokesman of the rustics. "Gie us them papers which we saw -thee so busy with in the church instead of minding thy prayers! Gie us -them—we see them sticking out of thy pocket, and we means to have them— -or it will be the worse for thee!" - -"Fools!" snarled the man, without quailing before the coming storm, -"fools! do you not know that it is a hanging matter to lay a hand on -me?" - -"It's very likely," said the bold rustic; "but it strikes me some one -else will be hung, or drownded, before any of us are sent to join the -Lewes martyrs." - -The angry group was now just beside the horse-pond—and each moment it -grew more excited and threatening. Suddenly a voice cried— - -"He's fond of fire, let's see how water suits him!" - -Thereupon the rustics hustled the hapless apparitor to the edge of the -pond; then he found himself lifted from the ground, and the strong arms -of his foes swung him to and fro in the air. - -"One, two, three, in he goes!" cried a raucous voice. - -A scream of terror was sent forth by the man, and he struggled -violently. - -It was all of no avail. - -In another moment he was hurled headlong into the slimy waters of the -pond! And there he might have been drowned, but for the help that came -to him from an unexpected quarter. - -Susan Jefferay had been in the congregation, and her attention had been -arrested by the unwonted spectacle of a stranger in the church. - -The service was over, and the Vicar had withdrawn into the vestry; Susan -awaited him in the church, for he was to accompany her home to the -Place. - -The wonted silence of the Sabbath-day was broken by the angry voices of -men, and Susan hurried out of the church to ascertain the cause—a -dreadful suspicion arising in her mind. - -A glance at the tumultuous scene at the pondside revealed to her the -catastrophe which was being enacted. Instantly she flew to the vestry -where the Vicar was unrobing, and seizing him by the arm, she cried— - -"Oh, come, Vicar, come this instant, the men are murdering the -stranger!" - -Then she and the Vicar hurried towards the pond. The enraged rustics had -thrown a rope over the unhappy apparitor's shoulders, and having secured -their victim in a noose, were dragging him to and fro in the water. - -"Hold, in God's name!" shouted the Vicar. "What madness possesses you, -men?" he continued; "are you not ashamed of yourselves? Here, give me -the rope," he cried, as he grasped the situation. - -"Let me help you, Vicar," pleaded Susan, anxious to have some part in -the matter. - -So the two rescuers drew the half-drowned apparitor to land, and Susan, -stooping down, undid the rope which was choking the man. - -He showed no sign of life now, his face looked unnaturally pale in -contrast to the dull green slime which besmeared it. - -"Run to the vicarage and bring some strong waters, Robin," he cried to a -youth who stood looking on. - -"Nay, rather run to the 'Six Bells'; it is nearer," suggested Susan, and -the boy dashed away to do their bidding. - -Meanwhile, Susan had loosed the man's garments around his throat, while -the Vicar placed his hand upon his heart. - -"I fear he is dead!" said the Vicar, in tones of anguish. - -"Nay," cried Susan, as she observed a green froth gurgling at his mouth, -"see, he is breathing!" - -By this time Robin had returned from the "Six Bells" with a bottle of -brandy in his hand. - -Susan took it from the lad and began carefully to moisten the man's lips -with the strong spirit, then to pour a small portion down his throat. - -Presently a colour flushed into the man's pallid cheeks, and a moment -later he opened his eyes and looked wonderingly around. - -Then, leaving Susan to attend to the sufferer, the Vicar rose to his -feet and looked round upon his parishioners. - -"Now tell me, men, what all this means," he said somewhat sternly. - -The men looked shamefaced, but their chief spokesman answered the Vicar -promptly. - -"The man is a Government spy," he said; "he meant mischief to all of us, -and especially to you, Vicar. We saw him taking notes of all that you -did and said in church, and he warned us that he was a Queen's officer, -and that to touch him was a hanging matter; so we just 'touched' him, -and if you had not come along with Miss Susan we should have drawn his -fangs, and he would never more have wrought mischief to innocent and -harmless people." - -The Vicar still preserved a stern countenance, but he had not been human -if he had not been secretly touched by this proof of the devotion of his -people, however recklessly given. - -"And these said notes," he said, "they may have been quite harmless; -what did you do with them?" - -"We took them from his pockets, Vicar, then we wrapped them round a big -stone and threw them in the pond; they won't do much harm there!" - -The Vicar's features relaxed into a momentary smile; then he became -pensive again, as he said— - -"Thank God that I and Miss Susan came in time to frustrate your reckless -intention; you might have brought down unutterable evils on our parish; -and remember, men, there is One who hath said, 'Vengeance is Mine, I -will repay!' What right had you to snatch the judgment from His hand?" - -At this moment Susan touched the Vicar on the arm, and said— - -"He is fast recovering consciousness: let the men carry him to his -lodgings at the 'Six Bells,' and at once; he needs rest and -refreshment." - -"Yes," replied the Vicar, "I will see to it: and do you, Mistress Susan, -go home without me; I will soon follow you." - -The Vicar turned to one of the men, who had not been actively engaged in -the late proceedings. - -"Hal," said he, "take that gate off its hinges and bring it here"— -pointing to a garden gate near at hand. - -The man readily obeyed, the gate was brought, and the semi-unconscious -apparitor was placed thereon. - -Then the Vicar and three of the men conveyed their burden to the "Six -Bells" Inn, the man was carried to his room, and before he left him the -Vicar saw him safely placed in bed. - -"Take care of him, Giles," he said to the landlord. "Let me know how he -is to-night; I will call and see him in the morning." - -That evening the Vicar had a long and very serious conversation with his -old friend William Jefferay. - -All the family had supped together in the dining-hall, and now the two -men were conferring on the event of the day in the library. - -"It is no light matter in these evil days to have a Queen's apparitor to -spy and report, as this man intended to do," said Jefferay. "This man -may return to his masters before twenty-four hours have passed, and no -man can say what will then happen; to-day's uproar will make matters all -the worse for us. Take my advice, Vicar, you have neither wife nor child -to detain you in England: spend the next six months in Holland! Do you -need money? I shall be proud to be your almoner. Oh, take my advice and -go, ere the storm bursts!" - -"And leave my flock at the very first intimation of danger—perhaps to -suffer in my place," replied the Vicar warmly. "Oh no, it cannot be -done; and while I thank you, friend Jefferay, with all my heart, I beg -you to abandon the thought of so base desertion—it would be a lack of -faith in God; I cannot do it." - -William Jefferay sighed, and the matter dropped. - - -------------- - -That night the landlord of the inn came to the vicarage with bad news: -the apparitor was moaning in pain, and seemed to be light-headed. - -Like many of his clerical brethren, the Vicar had some knowledge of -medicine, and he now hastened to the sick man's side, taking with him -some simple remedies. - -Susan had preceded him thither, for among her many beneficent offices -she had constituted herself the "parish nurse" of Chiddingly, and in -every case of trouble or sickness she was the first to be sent for. - -As the Vicar entered the room, Susan rose from her seat at the bedside -and greeted him. - -"He is very feverish," she said. "I am afraid he is going to be very -ill: I have sent to Hailsham for the doctor." - -"You did well," answered the Vicar. "I hope he will soon be here." - -Just before midnight the doctor arrived, and ere he saw his patient the -Vicar related to him the circumstances of the case. - -The doctor listened with some amazement. - -"You and Mistress Susan are very good to this man, considering the -errand upon which he came to Chiddingly," said the doctor. - -"We do not, perhaps, know all the circumstances of the case," replied -the Vicar, "for his papers were destroyed by my people; perhaps he is no -foe of mine at all, but if it were so, we remember that it is written, -'If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink.' Much -more, surely, should we succour him if he be sick." - -"Yes, yes, you are right, doubtless, and I honour you for it," replied -the doctor—"but come, let us visit the patient." - -The visit paid, the two men met again in the inn parlour down-stairs. - -"He is in a high fever," said the doctor, "and he will need great care -and attention. It is too much for Mistress Susan—I will send you a nurse -to-morrow. For to-night, Giles's wife can do all that is necessary." - -But Susan would not hear of this arrangement, declaring that she would -remain at her post till the nurse arrived. - - -------------- - -Three weeks later two men sat upon a seat on the vicarage lawn. - -Again it was a Sunday evening, and the two men were the Vicar and the -apparitor. - -"And you are sure that you are able to travel to-morrow?" said the -Vicar. - -"Yes, I shall take it by easy stages—resting for a night at East -Grinstead, and so reaching London on the evening of the second day." - -"London," said the Vicar; "then you go to make your report to the -Government?" - -"No, Mr. Vicar, I have resigned my office of apparitor—I take up work of -another sort in London." - -Then, in answer to a look of amazement, perhaps of inquiry, which the -man saw depicted on the Vicar's countenance, he suddenly seized Mr. -Tittleton's hand and shook it warmly. - -"Oh! Mr. Vicar," he cried, "how could you think it possible that I could -again take up the accursed work which brought me hither? Do you know -that each time that I saw you by my bedside, each time that I felt your -cooling hand on my feverish brow, whensoever I listened to your soothing -voice, my whole soul was moved with contrition and remorse. For I came -hither on an evil errand—may God forgive me! - -"My report of Chiddingly might have brought about your death warrant. -Oh, I thank Heaven that it was destroyed ere the mischief was done! And -as I lay on my sick-bed, I surmised that you must have suspected all -this; yet you and Mistress Susan watched over me with unwearied -tenderness and patience—you snatched me from the jaws of death! And the -thought of all this broke my hard heart! - -"Now I wish you adieu, my dear Vicar; but ere I go, let me leave with -you a word of counsel. It is known to me that dangerous reports of you -have reached London, and though I abandon the office of apparitor -another will take it up, and your life may be in danger. Therefore, I -beseech you to take refuge abroad, as so many of your brethren have -done. Soon the clouds may roll by, but for the present hour of stress -and trouble seek safety in flight, I beseech you." - -The Vicar shook his head sadly. - -"It may not be, my dear friend—the shepherd may not flee and leave his -flock in danger." - -"Yet," urged his visitor, "it is written, 'If they persecute you in one -city, flee ye into another'—is that not so?" - -"Yes, that is the Divine counsel," answered the Vicar, "and the hour may -come when I may feel the monition to be addressed to me; but for the -present I abide in Chiddingly!" - -"God's will be done," said the man solemnly—and so they parted. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER III - - THE PURSUIVANT - - -The apparitor had taken his departure, and Chiddingly had resumed its -normal condition of rural happiness and peace. - -The fields were ripening unto harvest, the rustics went forth to their -daily toil whistling merrily beside their horses, and at eventide the -maidens went to see to the kine with their bright milk-cans in their -hands. The rooks filled the air with their raucous voices, as they -fluttered about the great rookery which begirt Chiddingly Place. - -On the Sunday following the departure of the Queen's officer, all the -people of Chiddingly, save a few who were bedridden, flocked into the -parish church as if to testify by their presence the love that they bore -to their pastor. - -Chiddingly was a musical village, and here, at least, the Canticles, -which were "to be said or sung," were always sung to the accompaniment -of a flageolet, which the parish clerk played vigorously. - -And on this especial Sunday the "Te Deum" was sung so heartily that the -Vicar marvelled, while Mistress Susan's bright eyes glowed with pride -and then glistened with the unbidden tear which strong emotion called -forth. - -The service over, the Squire and his fair daughter walked through the -lines of the villagers, who, according to their custom, awaited their -exit to make their salutations to them, cap in hand. There was nothing -servile in this—it was but the public exhibition of the love and -fidelity in which the family of the Jefferays was held by the Chiddingly -people. At the entrance porch of the hall Susan's quick eye noted a -stable lad standing beside a pony from which he had dismounted. - -What was it that so suddenly brought a flush into Susan's cheeks as she -marked that the lad wore the livery of the De Fynes of Herstmonceux—a -glow which deepened as the boy doffed his cap and offered her a letter? - -"You come from Lewes?" said Susan inquiringly. - -"Yes, my lady," replied the lad. - -"Wait awhile, and I will let you know if there is any reply; go to the -kitchen after you have stabled your pony—the maids will get you some -dinner," said Susan. - -The lad bowed low and took his departure, glad to follow out Susan's -instructions. - -Susan turned to her father, who had looked on smilingly. - -"Pardon me, dear father," she said, "I will be with you anon." - -William Jefferay nodded assent. Susan hastened to her own room and -quickly opened her letter. - -Yes, it was from Geoffrey de Fynes; she had half hoped to have seen him -this day, why had he written instead? - -So, with a heart surmising evil, she proceeded to read the letter. As -she did so, her cheeks paled and her hands trembled. Then she rang a -small silver bell which stood at her side, and her maid Janet appeared -in answer to the summons. - -"Ask my father to come hither to me, Janet," she said, and the maid -hastened away. - -Her father presently entered her room, his face still wreathed with -smiles. - -But the expression of his face changed suddenly as he looked upon his -daughter, who held out the letter to him. - -"What is it, Susan," he said quickly, "what has happened?" - -"Read, father!" she replied in a troubled voice. - -The writer of the letter was a member of a great Sussex family—a family -whose wrongs moved the pity of all men. The head of the house of -Geoffrey de Fynes had suffered a traitor's death in the year 1545, since -which time the family had been degraded "in blood and honours." - -Yet never had Justice so surely missed its mark as when young Lord -Dacres lost his head at Tyburn! - -Young Geoffrey de Fynes at the present time held the office of Secretary -to the High Sheriff of the County; just now his duties had called him to -Lewes. - -He was a frequent visitor at Chiddingly Place, and between him and Susan -a strong attachment had sprung up, though no betrothal had taken place. - -William Jefferay took the letter from his daughter's hand and read it -carefully; it was as follows— - -"This from the hand of one who loves thee well, and whose chief object -in life is to do thee service. Hence I write this letter, and I do so -with a clear conscience, though the writing of it might cause the loss -of my post, and make me an inmate of Lewes gaol! Yet I dare not do -otherwise, for thy happiness is dearer to me than aught else in this -life! - -"Now to come at once to the point. - -"It has come to my knowledge that a warrant has been issued by the Crown -for the apprehension of the Vicar of Chiddingly. - -"A Pursuivant, with three men-at-arms, will leave Lewes for Chiddingly -three days hence, soon after daybreak. They will travel on horseback, -and their object is to arrest the Vicar, bring him hither, and -afterwards convey him to London. - -"Thou mayest show this letter to thy father, but to none other. Between -you some plan may be devised whereby he shall escape the malice of his -foes. I suggest that he flee to the Continent, but thy father will be -his best counsellor." - -Then the letter of Geoffrey de Fynes drifted off into other matters -which concerned Susan only. - -"When you have finished reading that letter I counsel you to destroy it— -for Geoffrey's sake," said William Jefferay to his daughter, as he -handed it back to her. - -"Oh, father," said Susan, "what is to be done?" - -"I know not," replied her father, "unless we can persuade the Vicar to -flee." - -"We have tried that already, and I fear he is immovably resolved to stay -among his people—he is strong in his innocence, and cannot be brought to -realize the danger he is in," said Susan. - -"We shall see him to-night after the service; he comes here to sup with -us: we will show him De Fynes's letter if needs be, or at least tell him -its contents. I think this will convince him of the deadly peril in -which he stands," replied Jefferay. - -"God grant it!" cried Susan. "I shall know no rest nor peace now till I -know that his safety is assured. Ralph will be here to-morrow; he is -coming to spend my birthday with us. Oh! it is a heaven-sent -interposition, for he can conduct the Vicar to the coast," she -continued. - -"Nay, Susan," replied her father, "it is a post of danger, and it will -need discretion as well as valour; I shall see him to Newhaven myself, -if we can persuade him to flee." - -For a long time they talked together, maturing their schemes. - -"How good and noble it was of Geoffrey de Fynes to send us this -warning!" said Susan; "would that he were here to aid us with his -counsel!" - -"There you are wrong, dear girl," replied Jefferay; "he has compromised -himself enough already, and now we must keep him out of our plot -altogether." - -"Yes, I see that it must be so," answered Susan, with a sigh. - - -------------- - -The afternoon service took place as usual, the parishioners attending -once more in full force, little thinking of the danger that hung over -the head of their beloved Vicar. - -Every word of the simple service seemed to Susan's excited imagination -to be invested with an especial significance, and her sweet voice -trembled with emotion as she sang the words, "Lord, now lettest Thou Thy -servant depart in peace." So also the psalm for the day cheered her with -its ringing words, "Why do the heathen rage?" and she came out of the -church both comforted and refreshed. - -In the evening the Vicar came down to the Place in the best of spirits; -the hearty services of the day had filled his heart with joy, and the -evident good-will, respect, and affection of his people for him had -deeply moved his gentle soul. - -It was not till supper was over, and the three friends were seated -together in the library, that Jefferay, laying his hand affectionately -upon the Vicar's shoulders, said— - -"You are very happy to-night, Vicar; alas! that I should have bad news -for you—news that will mar your happiness, I fear." - -Then, as the Vicar looked into his face, without fear or trepidation, -William Jefferay recounted all that had happened, and finally showed him -De Fynes's letter. - -"The Lord's will be done!" said the Vicar solemnly. - -"It will be done, it always is done, but not always in the manner we -expect," answered Jefferay. - -Then Susan intervened. - -She drew near to the Vicar's side, took his hand in hers, and said— - -"Dear Vicar, we have decided that you must flee before this threatened -storm, for it would break our hearts were you taken from us by cruel -men, and not ours only, but the hearts also of many of your poor people -here." - -The Vicar shook his head. - -"The hireling fleeth because he is an hireling; the good shepherd giveth -his life for the sheep," he said. - -"No, my dear girl," he continued, as he laid his hand affectionately on -her head, "I cannot go—do not urge me!" - -Then William Jefferay took another line. - -"Listen, my friend," he said, "we want to preserve your life for better -times; and my brother Sir John tells me that all men at Court foresee -that the present state of things cannot last." - -Then, dropping his voice to almost a whisper, he continued— - -"The Queen's health is failing; the friends of the Princess Elizabeth -are gathering about her, and are taking heart. This may be treason, but, -as God lives, I believe it is true! Save yourself, then, Vicar, for -better times and future labour among the people whose souls God has -committed into your charge! - -"Now let me tell you my plans. To-morrow _The Golden Horn_ sets sail -from Newhaven for Ostend. I have interest with the captain, and I can -answer for him that he will accept you as a passenger. We can leave -Chiddingly at break of day, ere people are moving, and I will conduct -you to Newhaven." - -"I will give you my answer to-morrow," pleaded the Vicar. - -But his two faithful friends would not be thus appeased. - -"No, Vicar, that will be too late, for _The Golden Horn_ puts to sea -early in the day, and we should lose our great opportunity." - -For a long time the earnest discussion continued, and the hour waxed -late before the reluctant consent was given. To the loving heart of -Susan that hard-won victory brought great joy. - -"To-morrow, then, at three o'clock we meet here; the horses will be -ready to start the moment you arrive," said William, as the guest took -his departure from the Place. - -"I shall be here—God willing," replied the Vicar. - - -------------- - -The next day saw William Jefferay's plan carried out—with the addition -that, on Susan's suggestion, Jefferay should accompany the Vicar to -Holland and see him safely and comfortably settled there. - -That same day, Monday, Ralph arrived from London, and it was not long -ere the confiding Susan had revealed to him all that had passed, and -that on Wednesday the Queen's Pursuivant would visit Chiddingly to find -"the bird flown"! - -Now Ralph was a fine, strong English youth, endowed by nature with a -very combative disposition and an inordinate love of adventure. - -He had thoroughly approved of the action of the Chiddingly rustics when -they dipped the apparitor in the horse-pond, though he had taken no part -in the affair. - -The threatened visit of the Pursuivant aroused his indignation to a -white heat, and, unfortunately, at this moment he lacked the restraining -influence of his father's presence at home, nor did he take counsel on -the matter with Susan. - -That very day Ralph called about him a few of his young confidants among -the Chiddingly rustics, and at nightfall ten of them met him in -conference in the taproom of the "Six Bells" Inn. - -The meeting was "secret and confidential"; none but the ten stalwarts -were admitted to it, and these pledged themselves to secrecy by a solemn -oath which Ralph administered with all due gravity. - -Then the meeting having been duly constituted, and Ralph accepted as -their leader by common consent, the "young Squire" (as he was known -among the rustics) set forth in sufficiently guarded language the nature -of the matter which had brought them together, omitting all reference by -name to Geoffrey de Fynes. - -Headstrong and thoughtless as Ralph was, he saw the necessity for -secrecy on that point. - -It was a remarkable and typical assembly. - -These young men were fine young Englishmen, who, though they lacked -great intelligence, possessed the bravery and independence of their -fore-fathers. - -They were absolutely loyal to their Queen, and would have shed their -blood for her and for their country against Spain, or France, or any -other foreign foe with complete devotion. - -But there was growing up in their hearts a deadly hatred for the Spanish -nation in general, and for King Philip in particular—nor did the Sussex -people ever forget or forgive the religious intolerance which had -kindled the fires at Lewes, Mayfield, and many another place. - -So Ralph found ready material at hand when he proposed to take vengeance -on the Pursuivant as they had done upon the apparitor, reckless of the -anger of the "powers that be." - -Before the conspirators separated that night it was resolved that the -Pursuivant and his party should be waylaid on Wednesday morning at a -point in the woods well known to them all—about four miles from -Chiddingly. - -The warrant should be taken from the Pursuivant and be torn to pieces; -there should be no bloodshed if it were possible to prevent it; the -obnoxious visitors should be unhorsed and left to find their way back to -Lewes on foot. - -The horses would be driven into the woods; they were Lewes horses, and -would surely find their way home in due time; and, if not, there was -abundant pasture for them in the glades of the forest. - -The rustics, under Ralph's leadership, would leave the village at -daybreak on Wednesday morning; they would thus reach the place appointed -for the attack an hour or so before their foes, and would have time to -make all necessary preparations. - -Thus the scheme was elaborated, and every detail arranged by the -resourceful lad, Ralph Jefferay. - -To him the whole adventure was a matter of supreme delight—little recked -he of the danger attending it! - -On the morrow (Tuesday) he mounted his cob and rode to the spot he had -selected for the attack. - -There were no high-roads in Sussex, but between the villages and the -county town well-known beaten tracks existed. These were well-nigh -impassable in winter—at other seasons a fair amount of traffic passed -along them. - -Between Chiddingly and Lewes lay dense woods—the relics of the mighty -forest of the Andreadsweald of ancient days. Sometimes the trackway led -through forest glades of much beauty; at other times it was a narrow -pass between giant oaks and elms whose rich foliage would occasionally -meet over the head of the traveller, forming a delicious shade in the -hot months of summer. - -It was to a place of this latter kind that Ralph came on that fine July -morning. - -He felt perfectly certain that the Pursuivant would take this route on -the following day; any other would involve a _détour_ of several miles -in making the journey from Lewes to Chiddingly. - -Ralph inspected narrowly the trees which grew on both sides of the -track; eventually he seemed to find what he needed, namely, two stout -young saplings facing each other with about twenty feet intervening -between them. - -Then he rode slowly home, and in the evening his rustic friends -assembled again, at his summons, in the taproom of the inn, where he -gave them his final instructions. - -To Susan he said nothing of the scheme on foot; he would not involve her -or any member of his family in the dangers of the enterprise. - -One great regret filled his heart—the absence of his brother William. - -The twins were rarely apart from each other, and this visit to -Chiddingly lacked but this one thing for Ralph's perfect happiness; his -brother had been compelled to remain in London, where his uncle, Sir -John, required his services and personal attendance. - -A dim grey light filled the eastern horizon on the Wednesday morning as -Ralph made his way to the stables, where he saddled his stout cob. - -He bore no weapon—not even the customary rapier without which he rarely -went abroad—for this enterprise was to be carried through without -bloodshed; upon that point he was determined. - -His followers would all carry single-sticks, a formidable weapon enough -in the hands of a Sussex rustic! Round his waist he had begirt himself -with a long and strong cord—destined for a special purpose. - -Presently he mounted his horse and proceeded at a gentle pace towards -the woods; his men, he knew, were gone on ahead. - -A bright red light suffused the eastern sky, the sun was about to rise, -and the twittering of countless birds from every copse filled the air -with sweet music. - -A summer mist lay on the meadowland, and big drops of dew bedecked the -leaves of the hazel bushes, gleaming under the rosy light like rubies. - -Suddenly the sun rose above the horizon into a cloudless sky, and the -day had begun. - -It was a lovely morning, not a cloud flecked the bright azure of the -sky. - -On his left hand ran the long line of the Sussex downs in graceful -outline—rising at Firle Beacon to a lofty height of some seven hundred -feet. - -Before him lay the dense forest, the deep embowered shades of Chiddingly -woods. - -Ralph was in high spirits, and as his stout cob gaily cantered along the -trackway he broke into song, as if in emulation of the sweet-toned larks -rising into the deep-blue sky on quivering wing. - -He was now nearing the point of the rendezvous, and he checked his song -as he caught sight of one of his stalwarts trudging along in front of -him. - -"You are in good time, Roger," he cried to the man as he overtook him. - -"Yes, Mr. William, and the others are all in front of me. I am the rear- -guard." - -"Good," cried Ralph, "but tell me, Roger, why do you call me Mr. -William?—alas, he is not here." - -"I beg your pardon, sir," replied the man with a laugh. "I thought for -the moment that Mr. William had joined us—it was your grey cap which -misled me." - -Ralph pulled the cap from his head and looked at it with an air of -astonishment. - -"It is true," he said, "I have put on my brother's cap; it was dark when -I left home, and I did not mark the colour of it." - -Then he rode rapidly ahead, and in a few minutes he arrived at the -rendezvous. - -The spot was admirably chosen for the object in view. Here the track -narrowed to a breadth of sixteen or seventeen feet, and the branches of -a giant oak spread right over it. - -On each side of the track grew a stout young sapling, as if nature was -conspiring on behalf of the stalwarts. Ralph drew a whistle from his -doublet and blew a shrill note. - -In a minute a rustling noise arose in the dense wood, and there emerged -from it nine of his men. - -Ralph dismounted, and putting his bridle rein into the hands of one of -the men, said— - -"Take him to the hut and tie him up carefully; see that you shut the -door after you." - -"Aye, aye, sir," said the man. - -Then Ralph began to unwind from his body the stout cord he had brought -with him, with the assistance of his men. One end of it was securely -fastened to the sapling on the right of the road, at a height of one -foot from the grassy soil. - -The other end was made sure at the foot of a tree on the left-hand side, -and the rope was drawn taut. The rough grass which grew luxuriantly on -the trackway obscured it sufficiently from view. - -Every man of the band carried a short cord round his waist, and Ralph -carefully inspected these cords to see that they were ready for -immediate use. - -"Now listen, all of you, to my final instructions," said Ralph, as the -men gathered round him. - -"You, Tom and Jim, will mount the oak-tree, climb along that limb which -crosses the track, and be ready to drop on the Pursuivant at the moment -he passes beneath you. Bring him to the ground and bind his arms and -legs with your cords. - -"Four of you will hide in the wood on the right-hand side of the track, -and four on the left-hand. The horses will probably be caught by our -rope and will come to ground, their riders being thrown headlong. That -is your moment of attack; spring upon them and rope them securely. - -"Should a horse escape the stretched rope, his rider must be brought to -ground by your cudgels. Beware that no man escapes, or our plan will -fail. Above all, remember there must be no bloodshed unless self-defence -require it. Leave the rest to me; now, do you all understand?" - -"Aye, aye, sir," answered the rustics in a joyful shout. - -"Then get to your posts, all of you; our foes may be here at any -moment," said Ralph. - -For a time absolute silence brooded upon the sylvan scene, save for the -humming of insects and the twittering of birds. - -Ten minutes, a quarter of an hour, twenty minutes had passed, and yet -there was no sign of approaching horsemen. Ralph's heart began to beat -tumultuously. - -"Perhaps," thought he, "the Pursuivant has taken the long route over the -downs, and all our well-laid schemes will come to naught," and he -groaned within himself. - -He stepped forth from the wood into the track, and looked anxiously in -the direction of Lewes. - -No sound struck his ear, but at that moment a flash of light caught his -eye! - -The sun was shining upon bright steel halberds, and flashed yet brighter -on the cuirasses of two musketeers. They were mounted on stout horses in -war panoply, and behind them rose a tall officer in sombre uniform—it -was the Pursuivant! - -Instantly Ralph dived unperceived into the wood, and a low whistle told -his men that the moment for action was nigh. The horsemen were -approaching at a brisk trot; their arquebuses were attached to their -saddles; in their left hands they bore long halberds; they rode as men -all unconscious of danger. - -Another moment and they were at hand! - -Crash! crash! both horses had struck the fatal rope, and their riders -were thrown violently upon the track. The Pursuivant, who was riding -about three yards in the rear of his men, threw his horse upon its -haunches in blank amazement. - -Alas for him! he was at that moment exactly under the great oak limb -which stretched across the track, and ere he could utter a sound two men -dropped upon him, and he was caught in a strong embrace, while Ralph -Jefferay stood at his horse's head, his hand on the bridle. Meanwhile -the eight rustics had sprung from the wood, and ere the halberdiers -could recover from their fall, they were imprisoned by vigorous arms, -and stout ropes were being wound round their bodies. - -As the fallen horses struggled to their feet, two rustics sprang to -their heads and held them fast. - -"What means this outrage?" shouted the Pursuivant; then, addressing -Ralph, whom he recognized as the leader of the band, he added— - -"Do you know, sir, that I am a Queen's officer, and that you stop me at -the peril of your life!" - -At a signal from Ralph, his two captors dismounted him from his saddle, -and he came helplessly to the ground. - -"Search him," said Ralph, disdaining to make any reply to the luckless -officer. - -His orders were instantly obeyed, and in a few moments the Pursuivant -was relieved of a big official-looking document, which Ralph forthwith -proceeded to open. - -"Listen, my men," he said; "this is a warrant for the apprehension of -the Vicar of Chiddingly. What shall we do with it?" - -"Tear it in pieces and scatter it to the winds!" shouted the angry -rustics. - -"At the peril of your lives!" shouted again the enraged officer. - -Ralph laughed scornfully in reply, and in another moment he had torn the -formidable document to shreds, tossing them in the air as his followers -had suggested. - -"You will suffer for this, sir," growled the astonished officer. - -"You are a bold man, Mr. Pursuivant," said Ralph. "You came hither on a -message of death, and now your plans are frustrated and your life is in -our hands! Have you thought of that, sir?" - -"You would not dare!" replied the officer. - -Ralph laughed aloud, and replied— - -"You little know the daring of the people of Sussex when they know that -God is on their side; yet your experience to-day might give you an -inkling of the extent of their hardihood. - -"But have no fear," he continued, "your life is safe, and you and your -men can go back to Lewes to tell them how you have been outwitted by -Sussex rustics. - -"Yet it does not suit our purposes that your return should be too -quickly made, so we shall tie you to these trees by the roadside and -relieve you of your horses. Before nightfall there will, doubtless, be -passers-by who will release you from your bondage, and then you may -trudge homeward." - -Then, ere the enraged Pursuivant could find words for a reply, Ralph -turned to his men and said— - -"Quick, men, with the ropes; tie our prisoners securely to the trees by -the roadside, beginning with the officer." - -In a few minutes his orders were carried out. Then Ralph bowed with mock -ceremony to the Pursuivant. - -"Good-day, sir," he said; "I wish you a speedy release and a pleasant -walk to Lewes!" - -And at a signal from their leader the whole gang dived into the forest, -driving the horses in front of them. - -Ralph made his way to the hut where his horse had been stabled, and was -soon trotting quietly homewards, his stalwarts following his example on -foot by the well-known bypath of the forest. - -No sooner had the gang disappeared than the bound men began to struggle -desperately in a vain endeavour to escape from their bonds, soon to find -all their efforts useless. - -Then the Pursuivant spoke. - -"You Lewes men ought to be able to recognize some of these ruffians—do -you know their leader?" - -"Yes, I know him," replied one of his men; "I have often seen him in -Lewes—'tis Mr. William Jefferay." - -"Are you sure?" said the Pursuivant, rejoiced at the news. - -"Yes," replied the man, "I know him by his grey cap!" - -"Good," said the officer; "you shall hang for this, Mr. William -Jefferay, as surely as there is a sun in the heavens." - -The day was wearing on, the sun rose high in the sky, and the bound men -began to feel the pangs of thirst—yet no man passed that way to bring -them release. - -They had many times shouted loudly for help—but there was none to make -reply. - -Evening had come, and the wretched men began to fear that a night in the -woods would be their fate—perhaps death itself from hunger and thirst! -But Providence willed it otherwise. - -To their joy a woodman, returning from his daily toil, came slowly down -the track. - -He started in amazement as he heard the cries of the prisoners, and came -to the spot where they were bound. - -"What now, my masters!" cried the woodman. "What means all this?" - -"Don't waste time in talk, man," answered the luckless Pursuivant; -"bring hither thy axe and cut these accursed ropes." - -The man hesitated, and his weather-beaten features assumed a shrewd -expression. - -"You must first tell me who you be, and how you came to this pass; I may -get myself into trouble." - -"Fool!" cried the Pursuivant, now getting angry, "I am a Queen's -officer, and these are my men—thy axe, I say, thy axe, and that quick!" - -But the man was evidently the master of the situation, and he was not to -be hurried. - -Moreover, his sense of cupidity began to be awakened—there was, -doubtless, something to be earned in this matter. - -"Well, I doant know but what I med do you this little job," he said -cautiously; "but what is it worth?" - -The Pursuivant ground his teeth with rage. - -"It will be worse for thee, fool, if thou hesitate any longer; come, -bring thy axe and cut these ropes, I command you." - -"Oh, that is it, is it?" said the man; "then I leaves you to yourself -and bid you good e'en!" - -And forthwith he began to walk away. - -At this the bound men set up a loud howl of entreaty—their worst fears -seemed about to be realized. - -The woodman relented, and returned once more to the prisoners. - -This time he came straight to the point. - -"What will you give me if I cut your cords?" said he, and his eyes -sparkled greedily. - -The Pursuivant hesitated ere he replied; his first thought was tinged -with bitter rage: he would make this fellow smart for his greedy -impudence. - -But reflection brought another thought: it did not matter what he gave -this man; they were three to one—when once they were freed they could -make him disgorge his ill-gotten gains! - -So he replied, "Come hither, man; put thy hand in my doublet pocket and -take my purse, with all that it contains." - -The woodman obeyed, and soon found the purse; it was well lined, and his -greed was satisfied. - -But he was no simpleton, and the same thought which had inspired the -Pursuivant's generosity had occurred to him also; he determined, -therefore, on his line of action. - -Approaching the tree to which one of the men-at-arms was bound, he -raised his axe, and, with one blow, severed the rope. - -"Now loose thy fellows," he cried, as he bounded into the forest. - -The liberated man was long ere he freed his companions; by that time the -woodman with the purse in his pocket was deep in the recesses of the -forest. - -The night was falling, yet a long march lay before the three men ere the -lights of Lewes would gladden their eyes. - -Yet, hungry, thirsty, and weary, they reached the county town that -night, nor did the Pursuivant seek rest till the first step in his -revenge was taken, and he had lodged his report with the authorities in -the castle. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER IV - - THAMES PIRATES - - -It was an hour after sunset, and a rich red glow still lingered in the -western horizon, tinging the waters of the Thames as they swirled past -the water-gate of Surrey House with gleams of scarlet and gold. - -A young man stood on the brink of the river idly watching the ebb and -flow of the tide. - -For some time he had been strolling to and fro on the velvety lawn of my -Lord of Surrey's house at Chelsea, as if awaiting a companion. - -He was richly dressed, and the fading light glistened on many a jewel -which bedecked his Court costume. It lit up the diamond cross of S. Iago -of Toledo which he wore upon his breast, and gleamed on the diamonds -which decked the pommel of the dress-sword which hung at his side. - -Queen Mary was holding a Court revel this night at Whitehall in honour -of her royal consort, King Philip, who had that day arrived in London -from Spain, to the great joy of the Queen, and Don Diego d'Olivares was -apparelled for the fête. - -Don Diego was a typical Hidalgo of purest Castilian blood. His well- -formed features, swarthy complexion, dark lustrous eyes, and glossy -black locks proclaimed the fact. - -"My father comes not," he murmured to himself. "If he delay much longer, -I shall leave him to follow me to Court in Lord Surrey's company." - -The light was fading off the river, the stars were becoming bright and -lustrous, and the young courtier was growing impatient. - -Few boats were on the river; now and then a galley or a wherry would -dart by, and he noticed that the boatmen were lighting their torches. - -He bethought him of the beautiful gardens at Whitehall, already gleaming -beneath the light of hundreds of cressets. And his thoughts wandered to -those whom he expected to meet there: the treasurer of Gray's Inn and -his fair niece, Miss Susan Jefferay, the "heavenly twins," as he -facetiously termed her two brothers William and Ralph, and many others. - -For Don Diego was a legal student also—perfecting himself in the -knowledge of English law at the Temple, by command of his renowned step- -father, the Spanish Ambassador at the Court of Queen Mary. - -He had met the twins at a masque at Gray's Inn, and a strong friendship -had sprung up between the young men. - -Thus he mused as he watched the passing boats on the silent waterway. - -But Don Diego had not observed a dark wherry in which three men were -seated, passing slowly up-stream. - -He had not marked when the two oarsmen therein had thrust their boat -under the shadow of the bank fifty feet higher up, nor did he see them -land stealthily and creep silently into his rear as he sat on a bench on -the top of the terrace. - -Suddenly, and ere he could utter a cry for help, a shawl was thrown over -his head, a gag was thrust into his mouth, a cord bound his arms to his -side. Then he found himself lifted aloft by sturdy arms, and, despite -his furious efforts, he was thrown violently into the boat, which at -once pushed into the stream. - -One of the oarsmen propelled the boat rapidly in the direction of London -Bridge; his companions proceeded to further secure their captive with -strong ropes, binding both hands and feet. - -"That was a good haul, Bill," said one of the ruffians; "he is a fine -bird, and will make good picking!" - -"Stop your gab, you fool, till we get aboard the hulk, there are too -many boats about," muttered his companion savagely. - -The boat sped rapidly past Whitehall, where the lights were gleaming, -and whence sounds of sweet music arose. They reached the ears of the -poor prisoner as he lay at the mercy of his captors in the bottom of the -boat, and they filled his heart with bitterness. - -Should he ever hear those sounds again—would his eyes ever look again -upon the fair scenes of earth? - -Such were the thoughts that filled Don Diego's soul; he knew that he had -fallen into the hands of merciless Thames pirates. - -The boat was now rapidly nearing London Bridge, and the oarsmen prepared -to shoot one of its narrow arches. The unfortunate captive had struggled -desperately to loose the cords which bound his hands and feet; alas! all -his efforts were in vain—he had been too securely bound by practised -hands. - -Yet he found it possible, by rubbing his head against the side of the -boat, to disengage the gag which had almost suffocated him. - -Then, collecting all his strength, he shrieked forth piercing cries for -"help" until his captors had sprung upon him and had replaced the gag. - -But his cries were not unheard, though he knew it not! - -In the afternoon of that day William and Ralph Jefferay had gone down- -stream to Greenwich Park, and had strolled awhile beneath the majestic -elms and oaks which begirt the royal palace. - -As evening fell they betook themselves to their light boat, and, being -dexterous oarsmen, they made rapid progress against the swift-flowing -tide, now on the ebb. - -They had no time to spare, for both the young men had accepted -invitations to the Queen's Revel at Whitehall, and they must needs go -first to Gray's Inn. - -They passed London Bridge beneath its widest arch, the central one, and -were now opposite St. Paul's Wharf. - -At this moment a piercing cry for help rent the air, and the twins -instantly rested upon their oars, and listened eagerly for a repetition -of the cry. Alas! there was none; the silence of night was again upon -the river. - -"Oh, Ralph!" said William, "that was a genuine cry for aid; it came from -some poor creature in deadly peril. Oh! what can we do?" - -"We will respond to it, by the help of God," replied Ralph; "it came, -surely, from that dark wherry which I see yonder preparing to shoot the -bridge." - -"I thought so also," said William, "and methought I recognized the voice -of him who called for help; it rang into my very soul, and, if I err -not, it was the voice of our friend Diego!" - -"To the rescue! to the rescue!" cried Ralph in reply, and in an instant -they had turned their boat down-stream and were following the suspicious -wherry. - -Their light boat soon brought the heavier wherry into full view. They -could see that there were three men on board of her; two were rowing, -the third held the tiller. - -"What are our plans, William?" said Ralph; "do you take the lead, and I -will second you promptly." - -"Agreed," replied his brother. "I propose, then, that we follow that -wherry whithersoever it goes. If those men have a captive on board, they -will soon seek to lodge him in durance—that will be our moment of -attack. - -"For the present we keep within reach of them, but sufficiently far off -to disarm their suspicions. - -"Leave the boat to me, I will row, and do you keep a vigilant eye on -their movements. Loosen your poignard in its sheath—I will do the same— -for this matter will not be decided without bloodshed, and may God -defend the right!" - -"Amen," said Ralph solemnly, yet with a distinct sound of joyous -exultation in his voice. - -No fear, no misgiving, found place in their brave young souls! - -On the contrary, they rejoiced in the thought and belief that this was a -call from Heaven, that they were God's ministers in carrying out a work -of mercy and justice! A minute later both boats shot beneath London -Bridge at a furious pace, the temporarily imprisoned tide hurling them -on its strong bosom down-stream. - -"They are making for the Surrey side," said Ralph; "it strikes me that -they are going aboard one of those wretched hulks which line the shore; -if so, what then?" - -"I think you are right," replied his brother; "they would not dare to -land their victim on shore, where they would at once encounter the -watchmen. If these men are Thames pirates, as I strongly suspect, then -these dark black hulks are their fitting and foul nests. - -"Now, brother, take good heed, I beseech you—this is my plan. Presently -the wherry will run alongside a hulk, and one man will leave the boat, -mount the hulk, and proceed to make ready to disembark the captive. This -is our moment to attack! We run in swiftly between the wherry and the -hulk—so detaching them. Then we leap into the wherry, and our poignards -must do the rest. It matters not what becomes of our little boat, a -rescued life is worth a hundred such things." - -"Right," said Ralph, "I understand; now put a good way on the boat, for, -if I mistake not, they are running alongside a hulk." - -Ralph was correct in his forecast; a moment later the wherry was -alongside of a dark object, upon which one of the oarsmen sprung lightly -with a rope in his hand. Then, with a loud crash, the light boat ran -swiftly in between the two; and, above all, rang the fierce shouts and -curses of the pirates. - -But as they rose in their wherry the twins leapt into it—giving it a -strong impulse into the stream. - -There was no light on the hulk until the one man left upon it had lit a -torch by whose lurid flame he sought to discover what had happened to -his comrades. - -So the fierce fight began in darkness, save for the gleam of the -twinkling stars. - -From their first onset the brothers perceived that their suspicions had -been correct, for a bound man lay in the bottom of the boat, motionless -and silent. - -The surprise to the pirates had been complete, yet they had time to draw -their long knives, with which they struck desperately at their foes. - -It was a deadly struggle—there was no thought of asking or giving -quarter; it was a matter of death or victory! Fierce blows were -exchanged and parried; then the combatants closed, and the wherry swayed -to and fro with a violence that threatened to submerge its occupants -beneath the dark waters of the river. - -The first gleam of light from the torch on the hulk fell upon a scene of -fiercest strife—upon men in deadly grip, equally expert with their -weapons, equally matched in strength and courage. - -All were wounded, and the fast flowing blood rendered the planks of the -wherry a slippery foot-hold. - -Suddenly William's foe lost his balance; in an instant he was hurled -overboard, and sank beneath the waters. His comrade perceived this, and -with a howl of rage he also flung himself into the stream—for he was -desperately wounded, and, as William approached to his brothers aid, he -knew that the end had come. - -Then the brothers turned eagerly to each other, and the question arose -from both alike— - -"Brother, are you hurt?" - -"Not much, I think," said William. - -"Mere flesh wounds," said Ralph almost gaily. - -Then the twins joined hands and kissed each other on the cheek. - -"Let us kneel down and thank God!" whispered William. - -So they knelt side by side like two Christian warriors! - -Presently they rose, and now they turned their attention to the captive -in the boat, who had ofttime been trampled under foot in the strife. - -"He is gagged," said William; "I will unloose him." - -For a few moments the rescued man was well-nigh unconscious through the -pain and suffering he had undergone. Then the well-known voices of his -friends the twins fell upon his ears like heavenly music, and he spake. - -"Brothers," he said, "will you cut my bonds?" - -"By Heaven!" cried William, "_it is_ Diego. Oh, thank God!" - -Then they cut his bonds, and the young Spaniard rose with great -difficulty, so benumbed were his limbs. - -"Oh! my brothers," he cried, seizing their hands, "you have risked your -lives to save mine, and Heaven has blessed your noble efforts; -henceforth we are more than friends—we are brothers in heart and soul -while life lasts. - -"Ah! I see that you are both wounded—you have shed your blood to save my -life! How shall I thank you enough? Oh, may Heaven reward you! But come, -let me examine your wounds; it is my turn now to turn rescuer." - -Ere Diego could carry out his intention, William sank suddenly into the -bottom of the boat; he had fainted from loss of blood. - -A moment later Ralph lay beside him from like cause. - -"Oh, my brothers!" cried Diego in agonizing tones, "you will die before -I can find succour for you; my poor life were not worth so great a -sacrifice!" - -His first thought was to seize the oars and strive to reach Greenwich— -the lights of the town were now plainly visible. - -Or he would strive to stanch their gaping wounds, and leave the boat to -be borne forward by the rapid tide. While he thus hesitated, a sudden -light appeared on the surface of the river, and his ears caught the -welcome sound of the oars of a practised crew. - -It was a Queen's guardship, and as it rapidly neared the wherry Don -Diego uttered a loud shout for help. His appeal found instant and joyous -response, for on board that ship were his father and Lord Surrey. - -A Chelsea boatman had witnessed his capture, and had instantly given the -alarm. - -Yet so long a time had it taken before the guardship at Whitehall wharf -could be sent in pursuit of the pirates, that its aid would have been -too late, but for the Heaven-sent interposition of the twins. - -The guardship rapidly drew alongside the wherry, and in a few minutes -the wounded men and Diego were taken on board. - -With tender care William and Ralph were carried into the little cabin, -and a ship's surgeon made immediate examination of their injuries. - -To the joy of Diego, he reported that though both the brothers were -sorely lacerated, yet no desperate injury had been inflicted—they had -lost much blood, and were thereby rendered unconscious; a few days' -careful nursing was all that was required. - -The guardship soon reached Whitehall, and there, litters having been -procured for the brothers, they were forthwith conveyed to their -lodgings in Gray's Inn. - -Nor did Don Diego leave them till he had seen them safely consigned to -the care of Miss Susan Jefferay, who had lately come to town from -Chiddingly Place on a visit to her uncle, Sir John. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER V - - GRAY'S INN - - -The morning was yet young when Sir John Jefferay entered the library at -Gray's Inn. - -It was a noble room with a splendid vaulted roof. All around were -bookshelves laden with heavy volumes; above the shelves were portraits -of famous lawyers, and some few statesmen whose names were associated -with the history of the Inn. - -The floor was thickly carpeted, and scattered here and there were tables -strewn with documents and parchments. - -Sir John seemed ill at ease this morning; he did not seat himself, nor -did his books and papers seem to have any attraction for him. - -He walked to and fro in the spacious room, his hands crossed behind his -back, his grave but handsome face bore the look of one in trouble or in -deep reflection. He was clad in a suit of rich black velvet, the -sombreness of which was relieved by a ruff of spotless whiteness around -the neck and wristbands of delicate lace of the same colour. - -A tap at the door awoke him from reflective mood, and as the door -opened, and Susan Jefferay appeared, a welcoming smile dispelled the -gloom from the Treasurer's anxious face. - -And no wonder; for not only was Susan the darling of the childless -Treasurer's heart, but her winsome presence, her bright smile and merry, -dancing eyes were to him like a gleam of sunshine which dispels the -clouds from a dark sky. - -"Good news! good news! dear uncle," she cried, as she ran up to him with -outstretched hands. "Dr. Barnes has been with the boys for the last -hour, and I have helped him to dress their wounds; he says I am as -clever at it as many a young surgeon. And they are both doing well—much -better than he had dared to hope for. - -"There is no fever in their blood, he says, and they need but good -nursing and careful feeding to be as strong and well as they ever were, -and that in a very few days' time." - -"I thank God for that!" said the Treasurer fervently. "I could not sleep -last night," he continued; "the sight of their poor gashed and lacerated -bodies was ever before my eyes." - -"And yet no vital point was touched by the murderous knives," replied -Susan. "Oh, how good Heaven has been to us! But, dear uncle, you look -very wearied and sad this lovely morning; now, tell me at once, and tell -me truly, have you breakfasted?" - -Sir John laughed lightly as he looked on her smiling face. - -"No, my child, I have not yet touched food; but I will go now to the -breakfast room with you, for you must need refreshment as much as I." - -The dwelling rooms of the Treasurer closely adjoined the library, and -presently Sir John and Susan were seated at a well-spread table. - -For half-an-hour they lingered there, Susan attending to all her uncle's -needs with loving care. - -"Now I will go and see the boys," said Sir John, rising from his seat. - -"Not yet, dear uncle, I beseech you," replied Susan. "Dr. Barnes has -given them some soothing medicine which will probably induce sleep; they -must not be disturbed for some hours. Moreover, I want you for a brief -time all to myself; I have something to tell you which troubles me." - -"Really!" said Sir John, as he stooped down and kissed her cheek, "I -always thought that you and trouble were far apart!" - -"Let us go back into the library," said his niece; "we shall be -undisturbed there." - -"This sounds serious!" said Sir John. - -"It is serious—or at least I fear so," replied Susan. - -Once more in the library, the Treasurer seated himself in one of the -great leather chairs, and Susan, bringing a footstool to his side, sat -down beside him. - -The two made a striking picture. - -Sir John's noble and pensive face was lighted up by a gentle and loving -smile as he gazed down on his niece's fair face. - -This morning she had not tied her hair, and the long golden locks fell -in rich profusion over her shoulders. Her morning gown was simplicity -itself; its pure whiteness was unrelieved by colour but for a waistband -of blue silk; she wore no ornament save that on her shapely finger a -ring beset with diamonds glittered in the sunlight—it was surely a love -gift! - -"Now, Susan, for your revelation," said Sir John, as he took her little -hand and held it caressingly. - -"You remember, dear uncle," began Susan, "how Ralph came to us at -Chiddingly last Sunday week, intending to pass at least ten days with -us? Well, he left us on Wednesday night, at which I marvelled." - -"So did I," interpolated Sir John. - -"I must tell you," continued the fair girl, "that on that Sunday morning -a messenger brought me a letter from Mr. Geoffrey Fynes." - -"Ah! ah!" said Sir John, "this grows interesting." - -Susan blushed prettily as she looked into her uncle's face, and shook -her head reprovingly. - -"Oh, uncle, you must be serious; I think you will be so when I have told -you all!" - -"Go on, my child," said Sir John gravely. - -"Well, I have the letter here; I meant to show it to you last night; -please read it." - -The Treasurer took the letter, and as he read it his face assumed an -increased expression of gravity. - -"And did the Pursuivant come—only to find the Vicarage empty?" - -"No," said Susan, "and that is my trouble! I showed the letter to Ralph, -little thinking that any harm would ensue from my doing so. - -"On the Wednesday, when I expected to see the Queen's officer, Ralph was -absent from home all day, and on making inquiries I found he had gone on -horseback into the woods. - -"I began to be anxious, and I made inquiries about him in the stables -and elsewhere. Then I found to my alarm that many of our young men were -missing from Chiddingly that day. - -"Ralph returned home in the afternoon, but he would tell me nothing— -'these were not women's matters,' he said. That same night he took the -road for London." - -"And since then have you heard nothing?" said Sir John eagerly. - -"Not until to-day," replied Susan. "This morning a messenger from -Chiddingly brought me another letter from Mr. Geoffrey Fynes; he did not -know that I had left home for London. It is this letter which fills me -with anxiety and no little astonishment. I will read you the passage -which deals with this business." - -Susan's fair face flushed as she glanced over the letter which she held -in her hand; then she read as follows— - - "'There is danger abroad for some members of your house, I fear. - - "'I am revealing a State secret to you at the risk of the loss of - place, reputation, and, perhaps, even life itself! Yet I do not - hesitate to tell you, my sweet Susan, all I know, for your interests - are dearer to me than aught else in this world. - - "'In a few words the matter stands thus— - - "'The Queen's Pursuivant was assaulted by a band of men in - Chiddingly wood on Wednesday morning; his warrant was forcibly taken - from him and torn to pieces by the leader of the band. That leader - was recognized by one of his men as Mr. William Jefferay. - - "'The Queen's officers suffered no personal injury, but they were - bound to trees in the forest, where they remained until nightfall, - when a passing woodman released them. The Pursuivant is hastening to - London to lay the whole matter before the Council. - - "'Warn William that he may be arrested any day, and be brought - before the Chancellor in the Star Chamber. My advice is that he take - instant flight abroad.'" - -Sir John rose hastily from his seat and walked to and fro in the -library, full of disquietude and fear. Suddenly he turned to Susan. - -"This is serious news indeed," he said; "it is a matter of life or -death. Oh, foolish, foolish boy! what madness could have possessed him? - -"But tell me, Susan," he exclaimed eagerly, "why is this charge brought -against William? Surely, if the offence was committed, it was Ralph who -was the offender." - -"I think I can answer that question," said Susan tremblingly. "I -observed that when Ralph returned home on that fatal Wednesday, he was -wearing William's grey cap; he must have taken it by mistake." - -"Ah, I see a gleam of light here," said Sir John quickly. "The warrant -will be made out in William's name. - -"Now it so happens, by God's good grace, that the Master of the Rolls, -Sir Philip Broke, was with me all that Wednesday in question; we were -holding a long legal consultation, and William acted as my secretary. - -"We will let matters take their course! If the worst befall, it will be -many days before the poor wounded boy can appear before the Court of the -Star Chamber, and, when he does, Sir Philip and I will be a match for -the Queen's Pursuivant." - -Then, moving swiftly to Susan's side, he kissed her cheek fondly. - -"Fear not, dear child," he cried; "I have hope that God will bring us -safely through this trouble!" - -"But if they find out that Ralph is the real culprit?" said Susan -falteringly. - -"Yes, there lies the real danger," said Sir John musingly. "Alas, that -he lies helpless on a bed of sickness; but for that he should be in -Holland, with our dear Vicar, ere twenty-four hours had passed." - -A sudden thought struck him. - -"Think you, Susan, that William knows aught of this mad adventure?" - -"I think so," replied Susan, "for the boys have no secrets apart from -each other, and if matters came to the worst, as you say, I believe that -William would plead guilty rather than Ralph should suffer!" - -"Oh, boys, boys! how you wring my heart!" cried Sir John, with -uncontrollable emotion. - -He resumed his seat, and for a short time remained in deep thought; then -he spoke slowly and with deep emphasis. - -"The innocent must not suffer for the guilty—no, God forbid! But let us -hope for the best," he continued, as he marked the growing pallor of -poor Susan's face. "It was a foolish freak, but no man has been injured— -no blood was shed. - -"Cheer up, my child, we have powerful friends in Court, even in this -Court of the Star Chamber—the worst of all our Courts! In the last -issue, if all else fails, it may be but a matter of a fine, and we are, -happily, rich enough to pay it; or a short imprisonment, and the boy is -young, and will live through it. Cheer up, Susan; wipe those tears away, -and trust in God that all will come right! - -"Now go and see the boys, and let me know if I may see them also," -continued Sir John. - -"I go, dear uncle," said Susan, rising to her feet; "but pardon me if I -urge that you say nothing to them at present about this sad matter; -remember that Dr. Barnes enjoins the most watchful care on our part; -they must have rest and peace both for body and mind." - -"I will remember, most wise nurse!" said Sir John, as he rose to open -the door for her with a smile on his grave countenance. - -Susan had scarcely left the library than, with a preliminary knock at -the door, Sir John's valet entered it. - -Bowing low, the man informed his master that his Excellency the Spanish -Ambassador and his son Don Diego d'Olivares were in the entrance-hall, -and that they craved the honour of a brief interview. - -Sir John nodded assent, and a few moments later he heard the steps of -his visitors as they ascended the stairs to the library. - -Hastening to the top of the staircase the Treasurer met his -distinguished visitors with deep obeisance. - -But the Ambassador was evidently in no mood to stand upon points of -ceremony. - -Hurrying forward, with extended hands, he warmly saluted the Treasurer, -yet the anxiety which had prompted this early morning call found -immediate utterance in the first words he spoke. - -"Your boys, Mr. Treasurer, are they doing well?" - -"Dr. Barnes has just left them, your Excellency, and his report is -altogether favourable; they have many serious flesh wounds, yet, by the -mercy of God, no vital injury has been inflicted; and, if nothing -unforeseen occurs, they will make a rapid recovery to health." - -"They are noble boys!" cried the Ambassador, with enthusiasm. "They -saved my son's life at the peril of their own, and with a manly daring -which moves all men to admiration. London is ringing with their praises -to-day; they are the heroes of the hour!" - -Then Don Diego intervened with an eager request that he might visit the -sick-room. - -"It may not be, young sir," said Sir John. "You know they have a -masterful young nurse in Mistress Susan Jefferay, and I myself have just -been refused an interview with the boys by their stern guardian; they -are to be kept in absolute quiet, she says, or Dr. Barnes will not -answer for the consequences." - -So the visitors took their departure, Diego obtaining permission to -return to Gray's Inn in the evening. - -Throughout that day visitors poured in at the Treasurer's lodgings with -eager inquiries respecting the lads whose deed of daring had become -public property from the moment when the Queen's guardship came to their -rescue. - -To many of these visitors the lads were unknown personally, though their -handsome faces and strongly knit bodies had attracted much observation -in Gray's Inn and its neighbourhood. - -But Sir John was one of the leading men of the day; not only was he -known to be a great lawyer, but he sat in Queen Mary's Parliament as a -member for the City of London, and was fast becoming a strong leader -among the members of the House who were silently ranging themselves as -partisans of the young Princess Elizabeth. - -In the evening the young Spaniard, Don Diego, returned to the Inn, and -he brought news with him which Susan promised to impart to her brothers -at the earliest possible moment. - -Diego had gone down the Thames that morning on board a guardship in the -hope of discovering the hulk to which his captors would have taken him, -but his efforts had been useless. - -There were many suspicious-looking hulks moored on the banks of the -stream, but he had no means of identifying the one he sought. - -When the twins were themselves again, they would make another attempt; -he had been lying in the bottom of the boat, fast bound, when one of his -captors had endeavoured to moor the boat alongside the hulk. - -But he had other news. - -The watermen had picked up the bodies of the two ruffians who had leapt -overboard—they had paid the due penalty of their crime. - -The hour was growing late when the young Spaniard took his leave, and -the wearied Treasurer was just congratulating himself that the labours -of the day were over, when the valet once more presented himself in the -library. - -"Another visitor—and at this late hour!" said Sir John, somewhat -impatiently. "Make my excuses, Robin," he continued; "say that I have -retired to rest." - -"Yes, Sir John", said Robin, yet he lingered as if he had something -further to say. - -"What is it, man?" said Sir John, perceiving Robin's hesitation. - -"Please, your honour, and craving your pardon, I doubt if the visitor -will take your dismissal thus easily: it is Sir William Anson, the -Sheriff of London." - -Sir John rose hastily from his chair, and Susan ran from the couch -whereon she was seated to her uncle's side. - -"Oh, uncle," she cried, as she flung her arms around his neck, "he -comes, surely, on the Queen's business; the fatal hour has come. Oh God, -help us!" - -"Courage, dear one!" whispered Sir John in her ear. "Sir William is a -friend of mine; his errand may be but one of friendly inquiry. Compose -yourself; remain in the library, you may hear all that he has to say." - -Then he bade Robin admit the late visitor. - -A moment later the Sheriff entered the room, bowing low to both its -occupants as he did so. - -He was a man of stately presence, his dress of sombre colours yet of -rich material. - -He advanced towards Sir John with extended hand, and his handsome face -was lit up with a cordial smile. Susan's heart was reassured as she -marked his friendly behaviour; but Sir John's eyes were fixed upon a -small gold chain of office which the Sheriff wore around his neck. - -"He comes officially, on the Queen's business!" said Sir John within -himself. - -Sir William seated himself at the invitation of the Treasurer. - -"Tell me, first, Sir John," he said, "how your gallant nephews fare. It -is a scandal to London that such an outrage could happen on our own -river; but we are overrun with foreigners, outlaws and riffraff of all -sorts; we must see to it!" - -Then, hearing a good report of the lads, he thanked Heaven for the news, -and therewith glanced nervously towards Susan. - -Sir John perceived his difficulty. - -"You have something private to say to me, Sir William," he said; "you -may say it before my niece, I have no secrets from her." - -"I can understand that, Sir John," said the gallant Sheriff, with a -courtly smile as he bowed towards Susan. "I will therefore tell you -plainly and fully why I am come to you at so untimely an hour. - -"Yet let me ask you both to keep my visit from the knowledge of others, -for I am exceeding my office to-night, and might be called in question -for what I do." - -Sir John and Susan gravely bowed assent. - -"It is respecting one of your noble boys, William Jefferay, that I have -come hither. To-night I come as your friend and well-wisher, but to- -morrow, alas! I shall bring you a warrant for his arrest in the Queens -name and by order of the Court of the Star Chamber." - -Sir John gave a low groan, and poor Susan hid her fair face in her -hands. - -"You will ask me why I come to you to-night with this sad news," said -the Sheriff, with real sympathy in his kindly heart. "I will tell you -why I come. My warrant commands me to possess myself of William -Jefferay's body, and to commit it forthwith to Her Majesty's prison at -the Fleet. - -"Be not surprised, not alarmed, therefore, when to-morrow morning I -serve the warrant with all due state and ceremony. Yet will I not attach -his body until he shall have regained his strength if you, Sir John, -will give me your word of honour that no attempt at escape be made on -his behalf." - -"I give you my word, Mr. Sheriff," said Sir John, "and I count it an act -of friendship on your part that you have thus given me warning." - -The Sheriff rose from his seat, advanced towards Sir John, and shook his -hand heartily. - -"My good friend," said he, "would to God that I could do more for you! -but keep a good heart, for you have many a friend both at Court and in -the city." - -So saying, the kind-hearted Sheriff made his adieux and took his -departure. - - -------------- - -Susan had borne up bravely during this brief interview; yet, when the -Sheriff had gone, and she and Sir John were left to themselves, her -fortitude gave way, and she began to sob gently. - -Sir John moved to her side and took her hand caressingly. - -"Is this the brave and trusty nurse," he said to her in a low voice, "of -whom I was so proud to-day? - -"Oh, Susan, dear Susan, have faith in God; let us kneel together and -commit the whole matter to His most gracious keeping! - -"Now go to rest, dear child," said Sir John, as they rose from their -kneeling posture. - -"Presently, dear uncle, I will seek rest," replied Susan; "but I have -work in the sick-room awaiting me, and I keep watch there the first half -of the night." - -Then, bidding her uncle "Good-night," Susan lit a wax candle and quitted -the library. - - -------------- - -For a full hour the Treasurer sat alone in deep thought. He resolved -that on the morrow he would send a trusty messenger to the Hague, who -should inform his brother of all that had passed, and the present -position of affairs. - -How he longed for the presence of William—how valuable would his counsel -be to him at this crisis! - -Yet it could not be, for it was known full well to those in power that -William had aided the Vicar of Chiddingly to escape, that he had gone -with him to Holland. - -He therefore lay under grave suspicion, and must remain an exile until -happier days. - -At length, weary and worn, the Treasurer betook himself to rest. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER VI - - THE STAR CHAMBER - - -The Star Chamber was a part of a range of buildings on the east side of -Palace Yard at Westminster. - -Its peculiar name did not find its origin in any distinctive feature of -the building, but rather from the fact that, by order of King Richard I, -the "Starra," or Jewish Covenants, were deposited there. - -In the reign of Edward III large additions were made to the Palace at -Westminster, including St. Stephen's Chapel, and a new council chamber -henceforth to be known as the Court of the Star Chamber. - -This was the popular name of the building; the Court itself was known -officially as "The Lords of the Council sitting in the Star Chamber." - -It was instituted in the reign of Henry VII (A.D. 1487), and the number -of judges varied, from time to time, from twenty-six to forty-two; the -Lord Chancellor, or the Lord Keeper, was the President. - -It took cognizance of perjury, riot, and conspiracy. The building was -large, and richly decorated. The walls were panelled to the ceiling, -great bow windows admitted light and air. - -The ceiling was ornamented with carved wood-work, and was richly -painted. - -It was in this building, and before this august tribunal, that William -Jefferay appeared, in the month of September, A.D. 1557, on the charge -of riot and assault. - - -------------- - -A fortnight had passed since the warrant had been duly served by the -Sheriff, and for the past three days William had been an inmate of the -Fleet prison. - -The boys had rapidly regained their health, though William still carried -his arm in a bandage, and the pallor of his handsome face showed the -stress through which he had passed. - -As soon as the state of their health had permitted it, their uncle had -revealed to them the dangerous position in which William stood. - -As Susan had surmised, "the brothers had no secrets," and Ralph's -adventure in the Chiddingly woods was well known to William. - -But to both of them the news that William, and not Ralph, was deemed the -culprit, was a matter of profound amazement, and, on Ralph's part, of -intense indignation. - -"Oh, uncle," he cried, "this may not be! Mine was the folly, if folly it -was, and on my head must fall the consequences, be they what they may!" - -An approving smile lit up Sir John's noble and dignified face as he -replied— - -"I knew that would be your first thought, and you may yet have to pay -the penalty of your wild freak—Heaven only knows! But in this mistake of -identity lies, perhaps, the path of safety, and the Master of the Rolls -agrees with me that it is our wisest course to let the matter proceed." - -With great reluctance Ralph consented, with the assurance of his uncle -that if aught went amiss, and William was not acquitted, the whole truth -should be told. - - -------------- - -Three days later the Sheriff appeared at Gray's Inn with much ceremony, -and Ralph saw his brother carried off a prisoner to the Fleet. - -It was the first moment of real anguish in his young life, and but for -the sweet influence of his sister, Ralph would have then proclaimed -himself the offender and demanded the release of his brother. - -From the library window Ralph and Susan had seen the departure of -William under the escort of the Sheriff's guard, and the boy's pale face -was wrung with so intense an agony that Susan's fears were strongly -aroused. - -"Oh, Ralph," she cried, "for the love of God do nothing rashly, bring -not your uncle's plans to confusion; have faith that all will come right -in Heaven's good time." - -She laid her hand upon his shoulder and drew him lovingly towards her, -seeing that he was irresolute. - -"Have you no pity for _me_?" she said. "Think you that I do not suffer -with you, and with our beloved uncle also?" - -A moment more, and the crisis was past; the prisoner and his escort had -moved out of sight, and Ralph sank exhausted upon a couch: his barely -recovered strength had failed him. - - -------------- - -Three days had passed since William had been committed to the Fleet -prison, where, thanks to the Sheriff, the prisoner had been granted a -private room, and every alleviation of his hard lot which the Governor -could give to him. - -He had been permitted to receive visitors, and each day Sir John and -Susan had spent some hours with him. On the evening of the third day -Simon Renard, the Spanish Ambassador, had brought the great news to -Gray's Inn that the Council of the Star Chamber would meet on the -morrow, and that William's fate would be then decided. - -That night the friends of the unhappy boy met in the library at Gray's -Inn to decide on their course of action. - -The day had been hot, the evening was sultry, and the windows of the -fine room were thrown open to admit the little air that stirred the -leaves of the plane-trees in the square. - -The room was somewhat dimly lit by wax candles, and small silver lamps, -fed with perfumed oil, sent forth a languorous odour. - -Don Simon Renard had much to tell the gentlemen who sat around him, -among whom were the Lord Mayor of London, the Master of the Rolls, and, -of course, Sir John Jefferay. - -To all of these men the constitution of the Star Chamber and the course -of procedure at the Council Meeting were perfectly well known, and the -personal characteristics of every member of that dread tribunal (each of -whom acted as a judge) were equally familiar to them. - -Don Renard told them that the Chancellor himself, the Earl of Arundel, -would preside, and that with him would sit the Earl of Pembroke, the -Lords Paget and Rochester, Sir William Petre, and many others. - -Cardinal Pole rarely sat at the Council—yet, at the Ambassador's -especial solicitation, he had promised attendance on the morrow. - -No strangers had a right to be present in the Court. Nevertheless, the -Chancellor had granted the Ambassador's request that Sir Philip Broke -and Sir John Jefferay might be admitted on this occasion. - -The accused person was not allowed the privilege of the assistance of -"Counsel," excepting upon the special invitation of the President. - -"Our chief hope," said the Ambassador, "lies in the fact that the Master -of the Rolls and the Treasurer of Gray's Inn can give in evidence that -William was, at the time of the assault, actually with them in the -Library of Gray's Inn, which should conclusively prove that he cannot -possibly be guilty of the offence now charged against him." - -"Beyond a doubt," answered Sir John; "yet my mind misgives me on one -point. The Pursuivant," he continued, "may fail to identify William as -his assailant; he may have heard of the extraordinary resemblance of the -twin brothers. And if William be acquitted, he may shift the charge to -Ralph and demand his arrest." - -"I think you are distressing yourself needlessly, my friend," answered -the Ambassador, "for let me tell you that this very day the Pursuivant -was taken to the Fleet that he might see the prisoner as he took his -daily exercise in the yard. He saw him, and was instantly convinced that -William was the man who had assaulted him in Chiddingly wood. Moreover, -we have no reason to suppose that he is aware of Ralph's existence." - -"I am afraid that the last-named circumstance is too well known both in -London and at Lewes," interposed the Lord Mayor, "especially since the -occurrence of the gallant episode on the Thames. I begin to think that -Sir John's fears are well founded, and that after all our wisest course -would be to send Ralph across the water, and that instantly; he is now -quite strong enough to travel." - -Sir John smiled sadly as he replied— - -"You do not know my two nephews sufficiently well, my Lord Mayor, if you -think that scheme possible. Let me tell you that they are so linked -together in brotherly love that Ralph would never consent to save his -own life if thereby he endangered William's safety. Nay, more, let me -assure you that if our plans failed, and William were condemned, Ralph -would at once make a full confession to the authorities." - -"They are two noble boys," cried Don Renard, with generous enthusiasm, -"equally great in love and strife; have no fear for them, my dear Sir -John. Heaven will not suffer them to pass their young lives in a prison -cell!" - -Thus the friendly conclave debated until the hour grew late, and the -heavy air within the library became oppressive. - -As night had deepened the sultry atmosphere had given place to storm and -tempest, and a heavy rain was falling. - -The lights had grown dim, but the noble proportions of the library were -almost continuously lit up by the flashes of lightning, and the deep -diapason of the rolling thunder shook the ancient Inn. - -The serving men of the friends in Council were awaiting their masters -with carriages in the Square, and as St. Paul's clock struck the hour of -midnight Sir John's guests took their departure. - -The day had already begun which was "big with fate" for the twin -brothers! - -The storm was abating, and Sir John stood at the open window watching -the fleeting clouds and the occasional glimmer of stars emerging from -the gloom. A light step across the thickly carpeted floor did not catch -his ear, but a caressing arm thrown round his neck told him that Susan -was there. - -"To rest, dear uncle, to rest," said she; "for this day will bring thee -labour and toil for body and mind! Yet tell me briefly, does all go -well—do our friends give us cause to hope for the best?" - -Then Sir John comforted her distressed heart by telling her in a few -words their schemes for the great event in the Star Chamber, and their -hopes for a joyful delivery from their cares, and Susan at length sought -her chamber somewhat cheered. - - -------------- - -The day broke fine and cloudless. - -The sun shone through the painted windows of the great Court House of -the Star Chamber, casting a thousand richly tinted shadows on the marble -floor. The gilt stars in the roof glittered, and rich beams of light -fell on the beautiful panelling which lined the walls of the noble hall. - -It was yet early morn, and the only occupants of the Court were the -ushers, attendants and servants who were making preparations for the -meeting of the Court. At ten o'clock armed warders took up their -positions within the hall; a few minutes later the Sheriff with a strong -force of javelin men made his entry; he had brought up the prisoner, -William Jefferay, from the Fleet prison. - -The boy's handsome face was deadly pale, forming a strong contrast with -his dark, flashing eyes. There was no sign of fear or misgiving on the -part of the youthful prisoner as he took his place in the dock, a warder -standing on each side of him. - -Presently a small group of gentlemen entered the hall to whom all -present showed great deference, and they were shown to benches reserved -for distinguished visitors who held permits from the Lord Chancellor. - -William's eyes lit up with pleasure, and his pale face flushed as he -recognized Don Simon Renard and his stepson Diego, Sir John Jefferay, -and the Master of the Rolls among the group. - -When all were seated a solemn silence ensued, shortly to be broken by -the clarion tones of silver trumpets. - -The Lords of the Council were entering the Chamber in a stately -procession vested in their robes of office. Every point of the ancient -form and ceremony was rigidly observed. - -All men stood, cap in hand, until the Chancellor had taken his seat; -then, at a sign from him, a richly bedizened herald stepped forth and -proclaimed that the Court was opened. - -On the Chancellor's right hand sat Cardinal Pole. Between these famous -men there was a marked and striking contrast. - -The Earl of Arundel was a dark-featured man of some fifty years of age; -his black beard and moustache, worn in the Tudor style, was streaked -with grey. A soldier, a statesman, a courtier of immense power and -influence, he had steered his political barque with supreme skill -through the stormy period of the English Reformation, when many greater -than he, and more highly placed, had suffered shipwreck. Just now he was -the acknowledged leader of the Spanish faction at Court, and no man -stood higher than he in the favour of King Philip. - -To-day his sombre face had a marked expression of sternness, which -underwent a sudden change as the Cardinal bent towards him and whispered -something in his ear. Arundel was listening to the Cardinal with -unwonted deference, and his grim features relaxed into a friendly smile -as he made reply in low tones. - -From the bench where he sat Sir John's keen eyes had noted that both -these illustrious judges were bending close, inquisitorial glances on -the boy prisoner; he was evidently the subject of their secret -discourse. - -"The Chancellor seems to be in a stern frame of mind to-day," whispered -Sir John to Sir Philip Broke. - -"I have seen him look yet more fierce," replied the Master of the Rolls. -"I was with him on the day when he arrested his brother-in-law the Duke -of Northumberland, when the gleam of his dark eyes struck terror into -the Duke's soul! But be of good courage, Sir John; mark how the -Cardinal's gentle smile is thawing his icy reserve, and remember his -Eminence hath promised Don Renard to give us all the aid in his power." - -"Thank God for that!" whispered Sir John in reply. - -Cardinal Reginald Pole, Archbishop of Canterbury, was perhaps the -foremost Englishman of his age. - -An aristocrat of the finest type, with the royal blood of the -Plantagenets in his veins, he was, above all things, an ecclesiastic of -stainless life and reputation. - -Those who differed from him _toto cælo_ in religious matters were eager -to acknowledge his incorruptibility and devotion to duty. - -Men remembered how boldly he had withstood the threats and cajoleries of -King Henry VIII; how, later, he had shown a bold front to the Vatican -itself, and to the most dreaded tribunal in the world, the "Holy -Office"! - -There was something eminently pleasing and attractive in the face, -bearing and physique of the great Cardinal. Notwithstanding his long -sojourn in foreign lands, he was a typical Englishman. - -He wore his hair long—it hung in profusion on his broad shoulders, and, -like his long bushy beard, was of a rich brown colour. - -His fine expressive face was somewhat colourless, but it was lit up by -the deep-blue eyes of the Plantagenet race—eyes which at times gleamed -with tenderness and pity. - -He was spare in body, and his hands were as small and as delicately -shaped as those of a woman. - -The whispered conversation between the Chancellor and the Cardinal had -come to an end, and for a moment a deep silence brooded in the Court. - -Then, at a signal from Lord Arundel, the Clerk of the Court rose and -"called on" the case which was occupying the minds of all men present. - -"The Queen _v._ William Jefferay; prisoner at the bar," he cried in loud -tones, "you are charged that on the 17th of July last you committed an -assault upon the Queen's Pursuivant; how say you—are you guilty or not -guilty?" - -William bowed low to the Chancellor, and in subdued but distinct tones -replied— - -"Not guilty, my Lord." - -"Let us hear the witnesses," said Lord Arundel, and thereupon the -Pursuivant arose; behind him stood his assistants. - -There was something vindictive and threatening in the attitude and voice -of the Pursuivant—a note of triumph rang out with his words. - -He felt sure of his case, and positively sure of the identity of the -accused with his assailant in the woods of Chiddingly. - -In slow and measured terms the Pursuivant gave his evidence, telling the -tale of the assault in the woods in full detail. - -His two halberdiers, as witnesses of the attack upon the Queen's -officer, bore testimony to the truth of the charge made against the -prisoner. - -The Court was but thinly attended; the general public could only obtain -admission by invitation, and this was rarely accorded. - -Yet among those present were many—even in the rank of the august judges— -who knew something of young Jefferay and had heard of his recent deed of -daring on the Thames. - -Among these a deep feeling of dismay and commiseration arose, so clear -and undeniable appeared the evidence of the young prisoner's folly; -already they seemed to see the executioner clipping the ears and -slitting the nose of his victim! - -It was at this critical moment that the Cardinal again turned towards -the Chancellor and whispered something in his ear; Lord Arundel nodded -assent to his suggestion. - -Cardinal Pole thereupon addressed the Court. The Cardinal's voice was -soft and musical; he spoke in low and gentle terms, yet was he -distinctly audible even to the furthest extremity of that great hall. - -"There is a mystery in this case," he said, "and it does not lie upon -the surface. Some of us are not convinced as to the identity of the -accused, notwithstanding the evidence of the Queen's officers. By -permission of the Lord Chancellor I call upon the Treasurer of Gray's -Inn, Sir John Jefferay, and the Master of the Rolls, Sir Philip Broke, -to give evidence upon this vital point." - -An excited murmur passed among the audience as Sir John Jefferay, in -obedience to this command, rose in his place and proceeded to the -witness-box, and addressing the Court, said— - -"With your permission, my Lords, I will first ask for the date and the -hour of the alleged assault." - -Much marvelling, the Pursuivant rose and said in reply— - -"It was on the seventeenth day of July, and the hour was about eight -o'clock in the morning." - -"Thank you, Mr. Pursuivant," replied Sir John, with great gravity; then, -turning towards the Bench of Judges, he said— - -"On that day, and at that hour, I held a consultation in the library of -Gray's Inn with my honourable friend the Master of the Rolls, here -present. My secretary took notes of our conference, and was with us all -that morning. The secretary in question was Mr. William Jefferay, the -prisoner at the Bar! - -A thrill of emotion passed through the Court at these words, and but for -the august presence in which they stood, the air would have been rent -with cheers. The accusers of William Jefferay, and those that sided with -them (for there were some), were petrified with astonishment. - -Yet even at that supreme moment Sir John observed that one of the -halberdiers clutched the Pursuivant by the shoulder and began to whisper -eagerly to him, whereat his master's woebegone face began to light up -with a grim smile. - -A sudden hush fell on the Court as the Earl of Arundel spoke. - -"Call the Master of the Rolls;" and as Sir Philip Broke entered the -witness-box, the Chancellor said, "Do you corroborate the evidence of -the last witness?" - -Sir Philip Broke, bowing low, said— - -"In every detail, my Lord." - -"Then it only remains for us to dismiss the case, and we do hereby -dismiss it," said the Chancellor. - -"My Lord," cried the Pursuivant, rising hastily in his place, "my Lord, -in this case——" - -But the Chancellor instantly silenced the speaker. - -"There is no case," he said; "the matter is at an end." - -The Pursuivant sank back in his seat, but his eyes were full of malice -and baffled rage. - -Then the warders stood aside and beckoned to William to leave the dock. - -As he descended, his friends clustered around him, and his pale face -flushed with excitement as they poured forth their congratulations. - -Foremost among them was the Spanish Ambassador and Don Diego; the latter -flung his arms round his friend's neck and kissed him lovingly on both -cheeks. - -Presently, with Sir John and Sir Philip on either side of him, William -emerged into the street, and there a great crowd of law students awaited -him. - -These were his "sodales"; with them the twin brothers were universally -popular, and their recent exploit on the Thames had aroused that -admiration to a frenzy. - -So it was amid a cheering and uproariously excited escort that the party -made its way to Gray's Inn, where Susan and Ralph awaited them. - -They had not been permitted to attend the Court, where no ladies found a -place, and as for Ralph, perhaps there were other reasons wherefore Sir -John commanded him to abide at home! - -Oh, it was a moment of bliss when Susan flung herself into the arms of -her brother—such a moment as Heaven rarely grants to mortals! - -"Oh, William!" - -"Oh, Susan!" - -Then the brothers embraced, and, after the manner of the times, kissed -each other affectionately on the cheek. Hand in hand the three happy -young people ascended to the library, where William related to eager -listeners the moving scenes which had been enacted that morning in the -Star Chamber. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER VII - - THE ARREST OF RALPH - - -"Come, children, come with me to the dining-room," cried Sir John with -cheerful voice, as he entered the library. "Do you not know that the -body has its needs as well as the mind, and some of us have scarce -broken our fast this day; indeed, to judge by William's pale face, I -doubt whether he has breakfasted." - -And therewith he led the way into the fine old dining-room of Gray's -Inn, where a large party of friends awaited them. - -It was a noble room, wainscoted to the ceiling in dark oak, and adorned -with many portraits of the legal luminaries of past days. - -Around the great open fire-place was grouped a throng of friends all -eager to congratulate the Treasurer and his family on the joyful event -of the day. Among them were the Spanish Ambassador and his son Don -Diego; the Lord Mayor and Sir Philip Broke were there, and many of Sir -John's brother members in Parliament. - -"Where is our friend the Sheriff?" asked Sir John of the Lord Mayor; "he -promised to be here." - -"He was here just now," replied the Lord Mayor, "but he has been -summoned to perform some duty connected with his office; he asked me to -explain his absence to you." - -A cold chill fell upon the heart of Sir John as he heard these words—was -it a premonition? - -Then, regaining his usual composure, he cried with a loud and cheerful -voice— - -"Be seated, friends; the dinner waits, and some of us are as hungry as -hunters." - -The chaplain of the Inn, who was present as a guest, said grace, and a -merry clatter of knives and forks ensued. - -Next to Sir Philip Broke sat the Spanish Ambassador, and, as the meal -progressed, Sir Philip fell into conversation with his neighbour, with -whom his high office brought him into frequent communication; and in -social life also they were excellent friends. - -"Tell me, your excellency," he said in a low voice, "how will your royal -master view the proceedings of this day?" - -"Somewhat bitterly, I fear," replied Don Renard. "It was only yesterday -that he expressed to me his amazement that a royal officer could be so -treated as was our friend the Pursuivant. He was eager to see the -perpetrator of the assault brought to condign punishment. - -"'In our own land,' he said to me, 'we should have broken the miscreant -upon the wheel without judge or jury; but these islanders are so -phlegmatic, and stand so much on forms and ceremonies.' - -"You must pardon King Philip, my friend, for his outspokenness; it is -true that the customs of Spain and England differ considerably." - -"Yes," replied Sir Philip dryly, "and I thank God for it." - -Whereat the Spanish Ambassador smiled grimly. - -Presently he spoke again to the Master of the Rolls. He had been -attentively watching the twin brothers, who sat at the table side by -side. - -"By St. Iago," he said in a low voice, "I have been looking at the twin -brothers for the last five minutes, and at this moment I cannot tell you -which is William and which is Ralph; I do not think that the world -contains another so perfect example of the 'Dioscuroi'; no man could -tell them apart." - -Sir Philip shivered inwardly at these words, and he thought within -himself— - -"Does our friendly Ambassador begin to suspect the legal trick by which -our case was won? If so, the sooner we get Ralph across the water the -better." - -At that moment his eye fell upon Don Diego, who sat next to Susan, with -whom he was holding eager discourse. - -"No, no," thought he, "no harm can come to our twins from that quarter; -he can never forget the noble daring that saved his son's life." - -As a rule no sound from the outside world ever penetrated the stillness -of the dining-hall of Gray's Inn, yet to the watchful ears of some who -sat at that festive table it seemed as if armed men were in movement in -the great courtyard. - -No word of command, no treading of iron-girt men, no clash of arms, but -only a dull sense of approaching danger! - -Suddenly Sir John's major-domo entered the hall and passed rapidly to -his master's side as he sat at the head of the table. - -Sir John noted not that the man's face was ghastly pale, nor that his -terror-stricken tongue could scarce find utterance for his words. - -He stooped towards Sir John, and in low tones said— - -"Sir John, the Deputy Sheriff is outside the hall—on the staircase." - -Sir John started. - -"Is it not the Sheriff?" he said; "we expected him as a guest to-day." - -A dead silence had fallen in the hall, the guests were listening -eagerly. - -"No, Sir John, it is Mr. Deputy Sheriff," replied the major-domo. - -"Bid him enter," said his master. - -"He is not alone, Sir John; he has halberdiers with him." - -Sir John rose, as he said again— - -"Bid him enter!" - -The trembling servant obeyed, and, proceeding to the end of the Hall, -threw open the great folding doors. - -All the guests had now risen to their feet; all knew that some -catastrophe was at hand. - -The men looked stern, and, for the most part, undaunted; but from the -many ladies present came the sound of choking sobs and subdued cries. - -The Deputy Sheriff had entered, and with him came a posse of halberdiers -in full armour. - -As the armed men drew up in line within the hall their leader stepped -forward and bowed low to Sir John—waiting, apparently, to be questioned. - -"Mr. Deputy Sheriff," said Sir John in firm tones, "you would be welcome -here this day, but for this array at your back; what means it?" - -"I crave your pardon, Sir John Jefferay, yet the servants of the Queen -must do their duty and obey the royal command, even if it be bitter and -irksome." - -"It is true, sir", replied Sir John with dignity, "and you need no -pardon from me; declare to us your business here." - -The Deputy Sheriff produced a formal-looking document, and unfolding, -read forth a warrant from the Sheriff, commanding the arrest forthwith, -in the Queen's name, of Mr. Ralph Jefferay." - -"On what charge, sir?" demanded Sir John. - -"On the charge of riot and assault," replied the Deputy Sheriff, and -forthwith he handed the warrant to Sir John. - -It was a formal document from the Court of the Star Chamber, bidding the -High Sheriff to attach the body of Mr. Ralph Jefferay, to convey the -prisoner to the Fleet prison, and to produce him before the Chamber on -the following morning at ten o'clock. - -Sir John had grown pale as marble, and it was evident to all that he was -deeply stricken, yet he said in firm tones— - -"Do your duty, sir." - -The Deputy Sheriff looked round the hall, and his eyes rested on the -twin brothers, as they stood pale yet undismayed side by side. - -The officer moved towards them, then scanned them both with close but -dubious gaze. - -"Which of you is Mr. Ralph Jefferay?" he said at length. - -"I am Ralph Jefferay," said Ralph in unfaltering tones. - -The Sheriff laid his hand on his shoulder and said with loud voice— - -"I arrest you, Mr. Ralph Jefferay, in the name of the Queen!" - -Then, turning to his halberdiers, he pointed to Ralph, and immediately -two men placed themselves at his side. - -"Disarm the prisoner," said the officer in sharp words of command. - -"There is no need," said Ralph, instantly unbuckling his sword, and -placing it upon the table. - -"Are you ready, sir? then follow me," said the Deputy Sheriff, as he -turned to leave the hall with his prisoner. - -"One moment, Mr. Deputy Sheriff," cried Sir John. "Can you grant your -prisoner a brief space wherein to make his adieux?" - -"Certainly, Sir John," replied the officer courteously, "if it be done -briefly and in my presence." - -Then Ralph moved towards his uncle; he would have knelt on one knee -before him and have kissed his hand; but Sir John caught him to his -breast, and kissing him on both cheeks, said— - -"Farewell for the present, dear Ralph; keep a brave heart and good -courage. Trust in God! Esperez toujours, toujours esperez!" - -William's turn came next. Ah, what a parting was this! Undying love sat -in their eyes as they kissed each other, and William said— - -"Would God I had died for thee, my brother!" - -And last of all came Susan, her sweet face suffused with tears and her -grief so great that she was voiceless as she embraced her brother and -kissed his lips again and again. - -Many of the guests then crowded round, each with a loving word to -comfort and console. - -Then the Deputy Sheriff gave the signal, his men closed round the -prisoner, and in a moment the march began which was to end in the Fleet -prison. - -When the Sheriff's posse had left the hall, and the doors were closed, a -great silence fell upon the assembled guests; all looked upon Sir John, -who, in reply to their questioning gaze, spoke briefly with agitated -voice. - -"My friends," said he, "a great trouble has fallen upon my house; I am -smitten and afflicted, yet do I not despair! I will not disguise to you -the terrible fact that my nephew Ralph has committed a crime against the -laws of his country, and I know that to-morrow, when he will stand his -trial in the Court of the Star Chamber, he will plead 'guilty.' - -"Yet the deed he committed was but a boyish freak, and no blood was shed -by him or his fellows. But in the eyes of the law it was 'conspiracy,' -and the penalty may be imprisonment, with a heavy fine, or even the -pillory and mutilation." - -At these words a shudder ran through the throng, and some of the ladies -wept uncontrollably. - -The men's faces were sternly set, they maintained a rigid silence. - -Then Sir John spoke again. - -"Yet I do not despair, and 'I lift mine eyes unto the hills, to God, -from whom cometh my hope.' And we have many friends, powerful both in -the Court and in the city. No, I cannot, and will not, despair, so help -me God!" - -There was something inexpressibly solemn and noble in Sir John's -utterance and manner; his fine face was full of anguish, but his heart -quailed not. - -Then came a sudden interruption: the Spanish Ambassador asked permission -to speak, and all strained forward to hear what Don Renard had to say. - -"Sir John and friends all," he began in low tones but with distinct -utterance, "it is known to you that the twin brothers have a special -claim on my sympathy and can command whatsoever aid I can give them in -their hour of need; but for their noble courage I should have been a -childless man this day! - -"The proceedings in the Star Chamber to-morrow will probably be brief, -for the accused will admit his guilt; the result is certain—a heavy -sentence. - -"But, like Sir John, I do not despair; _then_ will be the hour for -action on the part of Mr. Ralph's friends. I do not hesitate to lay -before you my own plan of action; for I am persuaded that all who now -hear me will feel the necessity for absolute secrecy on this great -matter. It is known to many of you that Cardinal Pole is already well -disposed towards Mr. Ralph—it was manifestly shown in the trial to-day. - -"When sentence has been given I will ask his Eminence to accompany me to -Whitehall, and there we will ask of Queen Mary the exercise of her royal -clemency for our young friend. I do not think we shall plead in vain!" - -At these words a murmur of satisfaction and reassurance passed amid his -almost breathless audience. - -But Sir Philip Broke rose to speak, and all were silent again. - -"Has your Excellency thought of the possibly adverse influence of King -Philip in this matter?" he asked. - -"Yes," replied Don Renard, "it was my first thought, and I own that it -troubled me. But, as a matter of fact, King Philip has no jurisdiction -in this case; it is a matter for the Queen's own decision, and if the -Cardinal and I can incline her royal heart to a merciful view of this -young man's escapade (for it is nothing more), the King would find it -difficult to sway her decision. But I will see the King also, and I am -by no means persuaded that he will turn a deaf ear to my appeal." - -Nothing more was said, and the guests began to depart. The Lord Mayor -remained to the last; he was about to accompany Sir John to the Fleet -prison that they might assure themselves that every arrangement which -could ameliorate the lot of the unhappy prisoner should be made. - -The day was drawing towards its close, a day which had opened so -brightly for Susan and William. They sat together in the library with -hands interclasped, their hearts charged with an overwhelming sense of -coming woe, their grief too great for words. - -Yet when Sir John returned from the Fleet prison and told them that -Ralph was occupying William's old room, and that the great Cardinal had -already sent him a message of condolence and comfort through their young -friend Don Diego, their hearts were comforted, and hope sprang up in -their stricken souls. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER VIII - - THE VERDICT - - -The Star Chamber once more! - -For an hour before the sitting of the Court an unwonted excitement -pervaded its precincts—for the news of the tragic events of the -preceding day had gone abroad till London was ringing with it. - -The warders within the building were doubled in number, and a strong -party of halberdiers kept order in the purlieus of Westminster. - -The reason of this display of force was soon manifested. - -From the Temple and from Gray's Inn the young law students had assembled -in great strength, and with them were the 'prentices from the City, -brandishing their clubs and evidently eager for a fray. - -Among the young "limbs of the law" the twin brothers were well known, -and their recent exploit on the Thames had raised their popularity to a -burning heat, while the 'prentices found sufficient justification for -their presence in the fact that Sir John Jefferay was the Member of -Parliament for the City, and his cause was theirs also. - -As the Pursuivant and his men made their way towards the Chamber, -protected by a strong body of armed men, curses loud and deep were -hurled at them from a thousand throats. - -A sudden change to cheering and hurrahing took place as the multitude -recognized the Treasurer of Gray's Inn and the Master of the Rolls, who -were passing through the streets in company. - -London had seldom been so agitated—nor was the excitement lessened when -the halberdiers were strengthened by some troops of the Household Guards -from Whitehall. Inside the Chambers many of the notabilities of the -Court had gathered together, and when the judges entered it, it was -noted that nearly the whole of its august body of members was present. - -By the side of Cardinal Pole sat the Bishop of London, Edmund Bonner, a -Prelate whose attendance at this Court was a rare event. - -But behind them sat a figure upon whom all eyes were fixed—it was King -Philip. - -He was dressed in a suit of black velvet without ornament of any kind, -yet its dark hue was somewhat relieved by the spotless whiteness of the -Valenciennes lace which bedecked his neck and wrists. - -He was of moderate stature and very spare in body. His long oval face -was somewhat colourless, he wore a beard and moustache of a sandy -colour. His large piercing eyes were of a sombre blue, the mouth large, -with heavy hanging lip and protruding lower jaw. His demeanour was still -and silent, tinged with a Castilian haughtiness. Philip was thirty years -of age at this period, but men would have given him credit for a longer -record; perhaps the cares of his world-wide sovereignty had made him -prematurely old. - -Few mortals loved Philip; yet one fond heart had given itself to him -unreservedly, for Mary loved her husband with a devotion as deep as it -was unrequited. - -The opening of the Court had not yet been formally declared, and a -murmur of subdued voices in eager consultation filled the air. - -Men noted that the King was conversing with the dignified ecclesiastics -in front of him. - -Presently a silver trumpet sounded, and the Lord High Chancellor took -his seat as President of the Court. A dead silence ensued, and the Clerk -thereupon pronounced the Court open. - -All eyes turned to the dock as the prisoner was seen to be entering it, -bowing low to the Court as he did so. - -His friends had mustered strongly in the Chamber, and an unrestrainable -murmur of sympathy arose from them as they marked the deathly pallor of -his youthful countenance, his wounded arm (still supported in a sling) -and a great scar of a recent wound on his handsome face. - -The case was duly "called on," and the charge of riot and assault was -made against the prisoner. - -Ralph would have pleaded "Guilty" forthwith, but Sir John had addressed -himself to this matter at his interview with Ralph at the Fleet prison -on the preceding evening, and upon his advice the prisoner pleaded "Not -Guilty!" - -Thereupon the Pursuivant took his place in the witness-box and proceeded -to set forth, with great detail, the well-known tale of the assault in -Chiddingly woods. He now swore that the prisoner in the dock, Ralph -Jefferay, was his assailant, and this was duly corroborated by his -witnesses. - -At this point Cardinal Pole addressed the President— - -"Yesterday, my Lord President, Mr. Pursuivant swore, with equal -assurance, as to the identity of Mr. William Jefferay with his -assailant. We know now that he was mistaken,—may he not err in the -present case?" - -The Pursuivant rose again hastily and, bowing to the President, said— - -"May I answer His Eminence the Cardinal, my Lord?" - -The Earl of Arundel bowed assent, and the Pursuivant proceeded to -explain his first error. - -"Yesterday, my lords, I was not aware of the extraordinary likeness -which exists between the twin brothers Mr. William and Mr. Ralph -Jefferay, a likeness so wonderful that no man may tell them apart but by -some sign or symbol. One of my witnesses, who is a Lewes man and knows -the Jefferays well by sight, informed me of this fact when the verdict -of acquittal was given in this Court yesterday. The sign of distinction -between the brothers is a very simple one—Mr. William always wears a -grey cap and Mr. Ralph a blue one. Now on the occasion of the assault I -solemnly swore that my assailant, Ralph Jefferay, the prisoner, wore a -_grey cap_, whether by design or accident I cannot say, hence the -mistake of identity." - -The Pursuivant sat down with a malignant gleam of satisfaction in his -fierce black eyes. - -There was silence in the Court and the judges consulted with each other; -presently the Chancellor spoke. - -"The Court would fain see these wonderful brothers side by side," he -said. "Is Mr. William Jefferay here?" - -The Clerk of the Court beckoned to Sir John Jefferay, who stood near to -him, and, after a brief conversation, said— - -"Mr. William Jefferay is now at Gray's Inn, but he can be brought hither -in a short time, my lord." - -"Let him be sent for," replied the Chancellor. - -During the interval in the proceedings men talked freely in low voices; -it was marked that an air of gloom and despondency sat upon the faces of -the friends of the Jefferays. - -Suddenly there was a rustling movement in the gangway of the Court, and -a dead silence ensued as William Jefferay was perceived in the hands of -the officers of the Court, who were leading him towards the dock. - -"Place them side by side," commanded the Chancellor. - -William entered the dock and stood beside his brother. The brothers -looked into each other's face with a quiet air, in which sadness and -love bore equal part; they clasped hands and so faced the Court. - -Even in that august presence a murmur of admiration and sympathy, -closely mingled, ran through the assembly. - -There was no further need of words or explanation, it was evident to all -why the first trial had miscarried, how the Pursuivant had made his -great mistake. - -"It is enough, let Mr. William Jefferay step down," said the President. - -Yes, it was enough, there remained now but the dread sentence to be -pronounced. - -The judges briefly consulted; then the Chancellor arose and, amid an -ominous silence, said— - -"The Court finds the prisoner guilty, and its sentence is that the -prisoner pay a fine of five thousand pounds, that he stand in pillory at -Tyburn for one day, and that his ears be clipped by the common hangman, -and that he remain in prison for three years—God save the Queen!" - -Then occurred a startling interruption, the prisoner spoke. - -"I am guilty of assault, my Lord," he cried, "but, before God and High -Heaven, I am no conspirator; I, also, cry _God save the Queen_!" - -Then he sat down. - -All was over, the dread sentence had been pronounced, and forthwith the -warders proceeded to lead the prisoner from the dock. - -The crowd departed, and in a few minutes the Star Chamber was untenanted -save by a few warders. - -The terrible news had spread abroad and seditious cries, mingled with -oaths and execrations, rent the air. - -The judges and King Philip had departed by private exits, but as the -Pursuivant and his men reached the street a fierce contest between the -military and the 'prentices arose. - -Great stones hurtled through the air, and the clubs of the "City Boys" -made fine play with the swords and rapiers of the halberdiers. - -But the Household Guards, on their strong Flemish horses, swept all -before them, and closing in a dense body around the Pursuivant, conveyed -him to a place of safety. - -As Sir John Jefferay and his nephew William were about to leave the -Court, an usher brought him a note. - -"From his Excellency the Spanish Ambassador," said the man. - -Turning to the friends who accompanied him, Sir John said— - -"Await me one moment, my friends." - -Then he drew William with him into one of the waiting-rooms of the -Court, and eagerly opened the note. It was brief. - -"An hour hence I shall be with you at Gray's Inn, and the Cardinal will -be with me. His Eminence wishes that no other person be present at our -interview.—RENARD." - -"Oh, thank God, thank God!" cried Sir John, as he passed the letter to -William. - -It was light amid the darkness, and the Treasurers noble face lost its -look of despair and flushed with joy and hope! - -And well might it be so, for these two men, of all others in the realm -of England, possessed influence with Mary and Philip of high and exalted -nature. - -"No word of this to our friends," whispered Sir John to his nephew, as -they proceeded to rejoin them. - -At this moment the roar from the street reached the little group, and -they halted. - -Instantly it flashed upon the Treasurer's mind that it might derange all -their plans if he and William were to be acclaimed by a wild, disorderly -mob. - -"Adieu, my friends," he said to those who surrounded them, "it is -necessary that we part here; William and I will return through the -Abbey. We meet again to-night at Gray's Inn, to supper." - -All saw the wisdom of this, and Sir Philip Broke, noting the flush of -hope in Sir John's face, whispered to him— - -"You have news—something to cheer our hearts?" - -"To-night you shall know all, I trust, but now depart, I pray you!" - -Then grasping his hand he shook it warmly. - -"Farewell for the present, best and truest of friends," he said; then -turning to William, "Follow me, nephew," he said. - -All the cloisters of Westminster were known to Sir John, and soon, by -many an ancient and devious way, the two were in the Abbey. - -Ah, how its glorious quietude contrasted with the scene in the Star -Chamber, with the tumult of the streets! - -A strange peace took possession of Sir John's soul as he gazed into the -semi-darkness of the Chapel of King Edward the Confessor, where, over -the altar, gleamed a dull red light. - -Sir John was no Romanist—nay, he was a somewhat ardent follower of -Luther! - -But it was no hour to think upon mysteries and niceties. - -"Come with me, my dear nephew," he said. - -And under his guidance William in a moment found himself kneeling by his -uncle's side in front of the glorious altar of King Edward's Chapel. -Long they knelt in fervent prayer, commending the condemned prisoner to -the mercy of Almighty God, and beseeching His blessing on the steps they -were taking on his behalf. - -Then, comforted and refreshed, they rose and made their way towards -Whitehall and Gray's Inn. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER IX - - THE DAWN OF HOPE - - -It was past mid-day when Sir John and William reached Gray's Inn, and, -as their footsteps reached the ears of the watchful and anxious Susan, -she flew down-stairs to meet them. - -Already the fatal news had reached the girl's ears, but she was far too -prudent a housewife and too loving a niece and sister to show her grief -to men who had not dined, who were probably well-nigh spent with anxiety -and need of bodily refreshment. - -Therefore, without a word, Susan led the way into the dining-room, where -food and wine had been prepared through her loving care. - -Then, dismissing the servants, she said— - -"I myself have dined, now let me wait on you. Do not speak, my dear -uncle; alas, I know all, and presently we will confer together; but now -refresh yourself, for I see indeed that you need it." - -Sir John proceeded to obey his imperious housewife; yet, ere he sat -himself at table, he embraced her affectionately and said— - -"You little know, dear girl, how sage and prudent is your advice, for I -must needs tell you that in half-an-hour two visitors will be here to -whom I must give immediate audience, for they come on matters of life -and death!" - -"Oh, uncle, is poor Ralph's case so desperate?" cried Susan, with a -terror-stricken face. - -"God only knows," replied Sir John; "but if there be any help in man, -they who now are on their way hither are surely sent by Heaven to bring -us that help, for they are none other than the Cardinal and the Spanish -Ambassador." - -Susan's eyes sparkled with a sudden access of joy; yet she resumed her -first insistence. - -"Then you have but a few minutes wherein to refresh yourself, dear -uncle, and I will not speak again, nor allow you to do so till you have -eaten." - -Sir John's serious face relaxed into a smile, and he proceeded to obey. - -The minutes flew by, and soon Sir John's major-domo entered the room, -after a discreet knock at the door. - -"Two visitors await you in the library, Sir John. They did not give me -their names, but they said they came by appointment." - -Sir John rose at once. - -"You will see that no one disturbs our conference in the library," he -said to his servant. "And you, my children, await my return here; please -God, I may have good news to bring you." - -Then he proceeded to the library. - -The two visitors stood near the great hearth, where a fire sparkled, for -the morning was chilly. Hastening towards them, Sir John fell on one -knee at the foot of the Cardinal, who, with a kindly smile, extended his -hand towards him. - -The Treasurer reverently kissed it. - -Yet did he not kiss the hand of the great Churchman in his character of -a Prince of the Roman Church, but rather because he saw in Reginald Pole -a Plantagenet in whose veins ran royal blood. Then, rising, he warmly -saluted the Ambassador, and at a courteous invitation from Sir John the -three men took seats. - -The Cardinal opened the conference. - -"You are in trouble, Sir John, very grievous trouble, and there are many -reasons why I should seek to bring you aid and comfort. I know from the -Ambassador how great a service your two brave nephews have rendered to -him, and when I saw them in Court to-day and marked their manly bearing, -their evident mutual love, and the heroic loyalty of the condemned man -as he cried 'God save the Queen,' I vowed to God that I would save him -from the mutilating hand of the hangman and the pillory at Tyburn, if it -lay in my power." - -There was a deep compassion in the Cardinal's voice, and his noble face -flushed with a generous excitement as he spoke. - -He marked the unbidden tears which suffused Sir John's eyes, and -grasping his hand he cried— - -"Have faith in God, Sir John, and hope for the best! Now tell me all -about the Chiddingly affair from your own point of view; I heard the -Pursuivant's tale, but I would fain have it supplemented by yours: I -would know the motives which actuated Ralph, and what accomplices he -had. - - [Illustration: "WILL YOUR BOYS VOLUNTEER FOR THAT SERVICE?"] - -Then tell me all about that heroic deed of rescue on the Thames. I would -know the smallest detail of that gallant action, for therewith I trust -to move the Queen's heart to mercy!" - -Then, folding his purple cassock over his knees, the Cardinal leant back -in his seat and prepared to listen. - -With consummate skill Sir John performed his task, for which his legal -training eminently fitted him. Thus half-an-hour swiftly flew by, and at -the conclusion of the somewhat long narration the Ambassador spoke -briefly. - -"Sir John," he said, "I have an expedient in my mind which, perhaps, may -win us through our enterprise if all other means fail. Your lads are -born _soldiers_; why are you bent upon making such fine fellows -_lawyers_? I wager that they are better hands with their rapiers than -with their quills. I fancy that if the matter were left to their choice -they would rather see camps and beleaguered cities than pass their lives -in musty law-courts! - -"Now to my point. King Philip is here to gain England's help in his war -with France; he seeks to raise a strong English contingent, under Lords -Pembroke and Clinton, which will proceed forthwith to join his army -under the command of Count Egmont. Will your boys volunteer for that -service if the Queen extend to them her gracious pardon?" - -For a moment Sir John, taken utterly by surprise, kept silence; then he -said— - -"I would fain consult the boys themselves upon so momentous a point; or, -at least, crave for time to consider it." - -"Alas, my dear friend," replied Don Renard quickly, "the matter is very -urgent. I must be prepared at all points when I see the King to-night. -Moreover, do you not know that the machinery of the Star Chamber moves -quickly, and it may be (which God forbid) that to-morrow our young -friend Ralph may stand in the pillory at Tyburn. Think what may depend -on your decision, and let me act on it, lest that should happen which we -may have to regret all our lives." - -"Remember also, Sir John," added the Cardinal, "that the military -service of which the Ambassador speaks may be but of short duration; -when the campaign is over, the lads may resume their legal studies if -God spare their lives, and they so desire. As a matter of fact, am I not -right in saying that you yourself have seen military service?" - -"Yes, your Excellency, it is true," replied the Treasurer. "As a young -man I did three years' duty at Calais and in Flanders, but I did not -know that your Eminence was aware of the fact." - -The Cardinal smiled and answered significantly— - -"There are few circumstances connected with the family of the Jefferays -which are unknown to those at Court." - -Sir John put his hand upon his brow and pondered deeply. At length his -mind seemed to be made up, and he replied— - -"It is true that I cannot consult both the boys ere coming to a -decision, and that delay may be fatal. I therefore take the -responsibility upon myself, and I accept your Excellency's proposition; -God grant that I have not to regret my action." - -The Cardinal rose with a sigh of relief. - -"Then that closes our conference. There is much to do between now and -nightfall. To-night we see the Queen and King Philip, and the matter -will be decided. Ere I seek my couch this night I will let you know the -result. Farewell, my friend!" - -Sir John, as before, sank reverently on one knee before him, and the -good Cardinal, extending his hand, pronounced the benediction of the -Church—the Ambassador kneeling likewise at Sir John's side. - -Then the two illustrious visitors departed, Sir John himself going -before them to the entrance gate of Gray's Inn. - -The Treasurer returned to the library, and for a while sat in deep -thought; he was greatly agitated, yet there was springing up in his -heart a blessed feeling of hope! - -After a while he rose, and, remembering his promise, went into the -dining-room, where William and Susan sat anxiously awaiting him. - -Susan flew to meet him. - -"My dearest uncle," she cried, "you bring us good and comforting news, I -can see it in your eyes." - -Sir John stooped and kissed her fondly. - -"Let us go into the library," he said; "we shall be undisturbed there, -and I will tell you all." - -There Sir John resumed his seat, and with Susan nestling fondly at his -feet, and William standing at his side, he detailed the conversation -which had passed between him and his visitors, omitting nothing. His -eyes were closely fixed upon William as he came to the military -proposition of the Ambassador. - -William's face flushed scarlet, and his eyes flashed with evident joy. - -"The Ambassador was right," he said within himself; "the boy is a born -soldier; it is in the blood!" - -Then aloud he said— - -"Was I acting rightly when I accepted Don Renard's proposal?" - -Instantly William flung himself at his uncle's knees with all affection -and reverence, and seizing his hand, cried— - -"I ask nothing better, it is my dearest heart's wish; and when I speak -for myself I speak for Ralph also; I can answer for him." - -"I thought so," replied the Treasurer, "but as far as Ralph is concerned -(and he is chiefly concerned) I will go to the Fleet prison at once and -learn his own decision." - -But poor Susan was mute! - -To be robbed of her two brothers at once, from whom she had never been -long separated; to see them go forth to all the dangers of war; to think -that she might never see them more, all this wrung her tender heart, and -she began to sob gently. - -But she was yet to bear another trial, for William, turning to his uncle -as he prepared to go forth, said— - -"One moment, uncle. Geoffrey de Fynes comes to London this day from -Lewes on business of State. He longs for active service, and he is -heartsick with his present mode of life. - -"Let me hie to the Ambassador at once and propose that De Fynes's name -be added to ours. - -He will be here to-night, and I can vouch for him that he will rejoice -to join us." - -The Treasurer hesitated for a moment, then said— - -"Yes, go, William, and at once. De Fynes is a brave man and true, I -could not ask for a better comrade for my boys; I think it can be done." - -Thereupon he left them, and William prepared to go also. A deep sigh -from Susan, almost a groan was it, arrested his steps. - -The poor girl had thrown herself upon a couch in an attitude of despair. - -William knelt at her side. - -"What is it, my dear one?" he said compassionately. - -"Oh, William," Susan murmured, "was it not enough that I should lose my -two brothers in one day that you must needs take my lover also?" - -"What!" cried William, "is that so?—and yet you told me not?" - -The poor girl blushed to the roots of her hair, amid all her sorrow, as -she answered— - -"We were betrothed last week, and this night he would have told you all; -he comes to London on no State business: it was to ask my uncle's -consent. And now," murmured the heart-stricken girl, "now I may lose -him—lose him for ever!" - -"Oh, Susan," said her brother, throwing his arms around her, "I knew not -of this; and yet I might have guessed it when I saw that bright ring -sparkling on your finger. I rejoice thereat greatly; now we shall be -brothers indeed, Geoffrey and Ralph and I! Trust him to us, my dear one; -we will watch over him as he will over us; we will bring him back to you -by the blessing and help of God!" - -But Susan wept bitterly, her heart refused comfort. And so with -reluctant steps William left her; his errand to the Embassy must be -done! - -"God wills it, God wills it," he said to himself in the spirit of the -old Crusaders as he set forth. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER X - - WHITEHALL - - -Supper was served that evening at Whitehall with more than customary -state and splendour—for King Philip was present. - -The Queen was royally attired in robes of purple velvet, and men noted -that, to-night, she wore her famous diamonds. - -Beside her sat King Philip in magnificent apparel, and wearing the -Collar of the Order of the Golden Fleece. - -Few guests were present, conspicuous among them being the Queen's half- -sister, the Lady Elizabeth, lately restored to Court favour; next to her -sat De Noailles, the French Ambassador, with whom the Princess kept up a -lively conversation. - -Don Renard and the Lords Paget, Pembroke, Arundel, and Clinton were -there, all in splendid attire. - -The hall was hung with the beautiful arras collected by King Henry the -Eighth, and a soft pleasant light diffused from silver lamps fed with -perfumed oil. Foreign minstrels provided sweet music, to which the -guests seemed to pay little heed, for to-night the Queen was in -unusually good spirits, and the Court, taking its cue from her, jested -and laughed freely. - -Later on, supper being ended, the Court (now largely augmented in -numbers) met in the gorgeous salon which was adorned by some famous -pictures of Titian, brought hither, perhaps, by Philip, whose father, -Charles V, was the great patron of the painter. - -On the walls also hung portraits by Holbein and many works of the -Flemish and Italian schools. - -The furniture of the room was of costly nature, being chiefly of ebony, -richly inlaid with mother-of-pearl. - -Here the light was given by hundreds of wax candles, set in silver -sconces, and it shone upon the fairest dames which England had to show -to the proud Castilian nobles who grouped around the King. - -Here, also, great Churchmen were present—among whom the Cardinal stood -pre-eminent in his scarlet robes. - -Presently the Cardinal found his way to the side of Queen Mary, who -welcomed him with a smile, though it was a faint and weary one. For Mary -was growing feeble in health and broken in spirits, though, to-night, -she had shown herself more like the Mary Tudor of former days. - -Alas, poor Queen! - -Disappointed of her fondest hopes, childless and neglected by her -husband, who would not pity her? - -In the Court to-night she could but see how the young gallants gathered -round the rising star—the Lady Elizabeth. - -It was mainly by Philip's influence that she had recalled the hope of -the Reformation Party to Court, and she saw, with bitter pain, that the -Spanish King was strangely attentive to her young rival. Had Stephen -Gardiner's advice been followed, Elizabeth would long ere now been swept -from her path. - -"Ah! had she erred?" thought the Queen in her inmost heart. - -For this young and gay Princess was next in succession to the Throne, -according to the will of their father, King Henry. - -And so all her work might be undone, and the fondest, dearest hopes of -her heart frustrated! - -As these thoughts darkened her soul she saw Pole approaching her, and -his very presence brought new life to her heart. - -He knelt and kissed the Queen's hand, and when he rose Mary beckoned him -to a seat beside her, and they fell into a close and confidential -conversation. - -The night was wearing on, the Queen was growing weary, yet she said in -reply to a request from him— - -"Yes, to-night, after Chapel, in my boudoir;" and so they separated. - -The King had left the salon. - -A Court courier had arrived from Brussels, and together with Don Renard -he had withdrawn to his own rooms. - -There they hastily examined the messenger's portfolio, and that business -being transacted the Ambassador entered upon other matters. - -King Philip was a hard master! Great statesmen and famous warriors knew -that it behoved them to walk warily in their dealings with him. Eminent -service and a long discharge of duty would not save them from the prison -cell, and even the block, if they thwarted their imperious master. - -Don Renard knew this full well. - -At this moment he was the King's most trusted servant—none knew England -and the English as he did, and Philip placed great reliance on his -astute counsels. To-night he felt the extreme difficulty of the course -he was pursuing. - -He knew that the King was violently offended by Ralph's attack upon a -Royal officer; that, moreover, he had a suspicion that this was a -Protestant plot and that the offender himself was a kind of "Hot -Gospeller!" - -He must walk very warily to-night. - -He had a communication from the Council of the City of London to lay -before the King. - -"The citizens have debated the conditions of the loan your Majesty did -them the honour to ask of them," said Don Renard. - -"Yes," said Philip, somewhat eagerly, "and I trust they raise no -difficulty." - -"These purse-proud burgesses are not like the money-lenders of Madrid or -Amsterdam, they are not satisfied with the securities we offer," said -the Ambassador. - -The King frowned, as he replied— - -"The money must be procured; our expedition hangs fire, and the English -troops are badly equipped. You must see to it, and that quickly." - -"The expedition is not popular in the City," said Renard, "we must do -something to placate these stubborn islanders." - -"Yes, I know," replied the King petulantly; "but what can we do?" - -"Will your Majesty pardon me if I suggest something?" replied the -Ambassador, and in obedience to Philip's nod of assent, he continued, -"That young man, Ralph Jefferay, who was condemned to-day in the Court -of the Star Chamber, is accounted a hero in London." - -"And why?" asked Philip impatiently, the frown on his face deepening; -"is it not because he is a heretic?" - -"Nay, your Majesty, I know not whether he is of the 'New Learning' or -not," replied Don Renard. "But the real reason goes far deeper than -that: he is known to be a young man of splendid daring and of intrepid -courage," he continued. - -The King was not appeased. - -"Go on," he said, "I see you have something further to tell me; I -listen." - -"Oh, sire," cried the Ambassador, "pardon me if I err through zeal in -your service. There is a deed on record, just lately performed, which -raised the admiration of the Londoners." - -Then as briefly as possible Don Renard told the stirring tale of the -rescue on the Thames, hiding for the moment his own connection with it. -He told it well, bringing out vividly all the strong points. - -The King was a cold-blooded man, yet he was something of a soldier, and -a deed of arms like this moved him. - -"And the man they rescued, who was he, you have not told me his name?" -said he. - -"It was my stepson, Don Diego, sire," was the reply. - -"Ah! I see, I see," said the King. - -Then after a moments thought he continued— - -"I will see the Queen on his behalf, and I will ask that the pillory and -the mutilation be not undergone by the condemned man. Yet, Renard, he is -a seditious man, and, I doubt not, a heretic. The sentence as to the -fine and the imprisonment must stand." - -"That will not render the Queen nor your Majesty popular in the City; it -will not expedite our loan nor induce young Englishmen to come forward -to fight our battles," replied Renard. "Pardon me once more, sire, if I -make a suggestion to you. We are calling for an English contingent of -eight thousand men: Lord Clinton tells me that men are coming forward -very slowly. - -"These twin brothers, William and Ralph Jefferay, are of gentle birth -and they are born soldiers. They have an intended brother-in-law, a -young nobleman named Geoffrey de Fynes. All the three are willing to -take arms in your Majesty's cause and to fight under your banner. - -"This is my proposition, sire, that you ask the Queen to extend her -gracious pardon to Ralph Jefferay, on the condition that the three young -men I have named take service in Lord Clinton's contingent." - -The frown cleared from the King's brow, he even smiled as he said— - -"You plead well, Don Renard, you would have made a great lawyer; well, -be it as you wish, I will ask her to do us this service." - -"To-night, sire?" said the Ambassador. - -"Nay, to-morrow," replied the King; "I must not urge State matters on -the Queen at this late hour." - -"But, sire, to-morrow will be too late, the Star Chamber acts promptly, -and to-morrow at ten o'clock Ralph Jefferay will stand in pillory at -Tyburn!" replied Renard. - -The King flushed and looked somewhat angered; he was not accustomed to -be thus urged. - -It was at this moment that an usher craved admission into the chamber, -he brought a message from the Queen. - -"Would the King grant her a few minutes interview forthwith in her -boudoir?" - -"Tell her Majesty that I will wait upon her immediately," he said to the -usher. - -Then to the Ambassador he said— - -"There is your answer, Don Renard—Heaven fights for you!" - -"Yes, sire, thank God!" replied Renard fervently. - -Meanwhile the cause the Ambassador had at heart had progressed -elsewhere. - -Mary was always strictly attentive to her religious duties, and, at the -accustomed hour, she had gone to Vespers in the Chapel Royal, many of -the courtiers accompanying her thither. - -At the conclusion of the short service she retired to her boudoir, -dismissing her Court for the night. - -The Cardinal still knelt in the Chapel, until an usher came to summon -him to the Queen's presence. He rose and followed him. - -The Queen had laid aside some of her heavy State robes, and her diamonds -no longer glistened on her head and neck. She was clad in a rich suit of -black velvet, her favourite attire. - -As the Cardinal entered she knelt before him. - -"Your blessing, father," she said. - -Then she rose, and in his turn the Prelate knelt and kissed her hand. - -She motioned him to a seat. - -Behind her stood two ladies-in-waiting. Pointing to them the Queen said— - -"Shall my ladies leave us? It shall be as you wish." - -Pole hesitated for a moment. - -He had a difficult and delicate cause to plead, he felt that he might be -pitting the Queen against her husband if the Ambassador, on his part, -failed to influence Philip. - -"It may be advisable, your Majesty," he said, and thereupon the Queen -motioned to the ladies to withdraw. - -They were alone, and Reginald lifted up his heart to God for Divine -guidance. - -"Madam," he said, "the hour grows late and you are weary, I will be very -brief in what I have to say." - -"Nay," said the Queen, "nay, my Lord Cardinal and good cousin, the hour -matters not and your voice brings comfort to my soul! Speak all that -your heart bids you say, I listen." - -Then the Cardinal addressed himself to his task. - -"I come, madam, on a matter of life and death, on behalf of one who was -tried and condemned in the Court of the Star Chamber to-day—by name -Ralph Jefferay. The youth was found guilty of 'conspiracy,' yet am I -sure that, though he may be guilty on this charge in a strictly legal -sense, yet is he absolutely innocent morally; so loyal to your royal -person is he at heart, that when the cruel sentence was pronounced, he -cried out in loud tones—'God save the Queen!' The poor youth's offence -is one of assault and nothing more, let me tell you briefly the -circumstances of the case." - -Then the Cardinal rapidly recounted the episode of the Chiddingly woods. - -"Mark, Madam, I beseech you, that no blood was shed, though the -Pursuivant threatened him with dire punishment, being at the moment -absolutely at his mercy." - -The Queen listened attentively, but she made no observation. - -Pole's heart sank within him, he felt that he had not yet convinced his -noble auditor's judgment, nor had he deeply moved her feelings. - -Was it possible that the King had forestalled him, representing the -matter as a heretical plot and Ralph as a wild incendiary—a "Hot -Gospeller," in fact? - -Once more the Cardinal's soul appealed to Heaven for help, nor did he -appeal in vain! - -In warm and earnest language he set forth the brothers' exploit on the -Thames and their narrow escape from a violent death. - -"Oh, Madam," he cried, "as I looked upon his pale, scarred, but noble -face this day in the Star Chamber, a deep sense of pity took possession -of me. He had atoned for his offence! It could not be that one so young, -so brave, so nobly daring should suffer a felon's doom, and I besought -Heaven to have mercy on him." - -The sound of a gentle sob reached his ear, and he looked on the Queen's -sad face. - -Yes, she was deeply moved at last! - -"Stay, my Lord Cardinal," she said in a low voice, "I have heard enough. -God spared that young man's life—shall we be less merciful?" - -Then it was that she sent for Philip, and in a few minutes he was at the -door, the Ambassador, at his request, accompanying him. - -With Castilian courtesy Philip knelt and kissed the Queen's hand, then, -rising, he repeated the salute on her forehead. - -The Queen's face flushed with pleasure, for she dearly loved her -husband—alas, he was all that she had to love in this world! - -Then she marked the presence of the Ambassador, and extended her hand -towards him as he knelt humbly to kiss it. - -The Cardinal stood aside, he had made lowly obeisance to the King as he -entered. - -"Your Majesty sent for me, I await your gracious pleasure," said Philip -in low tones. - -"I crave your pardon if I have disturbed State business," said Mary -apologetically, glancing at the Spanish Ambassador, "but I need your -advice this night, although the hour grows late." - -Philip bowed gracefully as he said— - -"I am always at your Majesty's service." - -"I will state the matter in as few words as possible," replied the -Queen. "His eminence, our good cousin, has pleaded for a Royal pardon in -the case of one Ralph Jefferay—condemned to-day in the Star Chamber as a -conspirator. He has given me good reason to believe that the youth is -innocent of the alleged offence, he attributes his assault upon our -Pursuivant in the woods of Chiddingly to the hot blood of youth, and to -no lack of loyalty to us. This is the youth of whom your Majesty spoke -to me yesterday, and I now ask your advice and consent, ere I grant his -Eminence's petition." - -A smile sat on Philips face as he replied— - -"I, too, your Majesty, have heard somewhat more of this youth since he -was the subject of our conversation, and when your usher arrived just -now, our Ambassador, Don Renard here, was urging me to seek your Royal -pardon for him. I do so, on the condition (may it please your Majesty) -that the two brothers take service in the English contingent now being -raised under Lord Clinton to fight under my banner against France. His -Excellency undertakes that the young men accept this condition, -therefore I sue for your Majesty's pardon." - -"We grant it joyfully," replied the Queen, "and we leave the matter -confidently in the hands of the Cardinal and the Ambassador, who will, -doubtless, see that all due formalities are observed." - -Then Don Renard stepped forward and bowed profoundly. - -"Have I your Majesties' permission to speak?" he said. - -Then at his Sovereigns' nod of assent, he continued— - -"The matter is so urgent that I have here a blank form of Royal Pardon; -it needs but the Queen's signature." - -Thereupon he knelt at Mary's feet and presented the paper. - -Mary took it to a side-table, signed it and gave the precious document -into Don Renard's hands. - -The long interview was ended. - -The two petitioners (the Cardinal and the Ambassador) knelt before the -Royal pair, kissed hands and departed. - -In the courtyard of Whitehall the Ambassadors people were awaiting him -with a carriage, into which the Statesman and the Churchman entered. - -"To the Fleet prison," Don Renard said to his coachman. "It is -midnight," he said to the Cardinal as they drove through the silent and -deserted streets, "yet I think we are in good time; I sent word to the -Governor of the prison, ere I came to Court, asking him to await our -arrival to-night and to notify to his prisoner, Ralph Jefferay, of our -intentions." - -"And I," replied the Cardinal, "have told Sir John Jefferay that to- -night I hoped to bring him good news. We shall do better, we shall bring -him his nephew!" - -A few minutes later the carriage drew up at the frowning gates of the -Fleet prison. - -A few words with the warders sufficed, the gates opened and the Cardinal -and the Ambassador entered the prison and followed the warder to the -Governor's lodging. The Fleet was the most gloomy prison in London, but -the Governor's lodging offered a violent contrast to its dismal -surroundings. - -In days long past it had formed a part of the Town house of a great -noble, and the fine hall into which the two visitors were ushered was a -relic of its past magnificence. - -The walls were wainscoted with dark oak, richly carved, and a bright -fire lit up an open hearth ornamented by a chimney-piece sculptured with -many a quaint device. On a table in the centre of the hall wax candles -in heavy silver candlesticks shed forth a warm and pleasing light; the -table was laden with refreshments. - -As the distinguished guests entered the hall the Governor (Sir Thomas -Middylton) hastened forward to greet them, bowing repeatedly. - -But to his courteous entreaty that his visitors would honour him by -resting awhile and taking refreshment, the Ambassador replied— - -"Ah, Sir Thomas, how gladly would we avail ourselves of your courtesy, -but we have yet much to do this night, and, I grieve to say, it must be -done quickly. We come to you from Whitehall: the Queen has been -graciously pleased to extend her royal pardon to your prisoner Ralph -Jefferay, and we bring to you an order for his deliverance to us, signed -by her Majesty." - -Therewith Don Renard handed the precious document to the Governor, who -read it with grave deference. He then touched a gong, and, as a warder -appeared, he bade him fetch the prisoner Ralph Jefferay. - -In a few minutes Ralph was brought into the hall in the charge of two -warders, and the Governor instantly addressed him. - -"Mr. Ralph Jefferay," he said, "her Majesty, the Queen, has been pleased -to grant you a full and free pardon; you are no longer in my custody, -and I am happy to deliver you into the hands of your friends who have -come hither to convey you hence." - -Ralph stood as one amazed and overwhelmed. - -He had been forewarned that on the next day he would stand in the -pillory, that the common hangman would do his cruel office of -mutilation, and lo! here was pardon, freedom, joy and rejoicing! - -The bright light of the hall had somewhat dazzled him: he had not -perceived that behind the Governor stood his deliverers. As they stepped -forward to greet him he recognized the Cardinal, whom he had last seen -in the Star Chamber, and he fell at his feet and sought to kiss his -hand. - -"Rise, my son," said the Cardinal in kindly tones; "we thank God for His -mercy to you, and the Queen for her goodness. And here is one," he -continued, "to whom you owe much more than to me; for while I wrought -with the Queen on your behalf, his Excellency the Ambassador besought -the consent of King Philip." - -Then Don Renard affectionately embraced him, kissing him upon both -cheeks. - -And while Ralph stood speechless with joy the Ambassador exclaimed— - -"Mr. Governor, you will pardon our hasty departure, I am sure, for we -must hie to Gray's Inn, where eager hearts await us." - -Sir Thomas bowed in reply, and himself led the way to the great gate of -the prison, where their carriage awaited them. - - -Gray's Inn at last! - -And there the Treasurer, the sweet sister, the much-loved brother -received from the hands of the liberators the released and pardoned -prisoner, as "one risen from the dead." - -Ah, what joy and rejoicing, what radiant happiness were theirs that -night, as they knelt together to thank Heaven for its mercies! - -The night was departing, the day was at hand, yet the men of the party -gathered together round the hearth for a brief consultation after Susan -had left them. - -"Don Renard comes hither at mid-day," said Sir John, "and he brings with -him Lord Clinton, who happens to be in London. I fear that this portends -that the conditions upon which Ralph obtained his freedom are to be -fulfilled at once. - -"I heard to-day that King Philip has commenced his campaign against the -French King, and the English contingent are assembling at Dover. - -"I would Geoffrey de Fynes were here; his man-servant has arrived with -the news that his master's departure from Lewes was delayed, but that he -would follow him in a few hours. Perhaps we assumed his consent to join -you two boys too readily; but we shall soon know—he may be here to -breakfast." - -"Have no fear on that score, dear uncle," replied Ralph; "he will tell -you himself, as he has often told me, that he longs to see military -service." - -Then a final "good-night" was said, and the men betook themselves to -rest. - -When William and Ralph entered the breakfast room at a somewhat later -hour than usual, they were overjoyed to see Geoffrey de Fynes already at -table; he had ridden up to London that day. Very hearty were the -greetings which passed between the young men. How much they had to tell -each other! - -De Fynes was the eldest of the trio, being twenty years of age. He was -of moderate height, his strong limbs were finely proportioned, his -clear-cut features exhibited all the manly grace which seemed to be -hereditary in the noble family of the Dacres, of which he was the sole -male representative. He had not heard the great news that he was to -accompany the brothers to France. He was of a race of warriors, and now -the passionate longings of his heart were to be fulfilled! - -"God save the Queen!" he cried, as he leapt from his seat and flung his -cap in the air. - -Then he grasped the brothers' hands and shook them heartily; they would -be his "brothers-in-arms" now, and ere long, please God, they would be -united by a yet closer tie! - -That last thought was very opportune, for at that moment Susan entered -the room and the lovers fondly embraced. - -"I heard your voice as I was waiting on Sir John in the library, and I -hastened thither," she said. "Now tell me, I pray you, the cause of all -this uproarious joy?" - -Geoffrey hung his head; he had come to London to ask for Susan's hand in -marriage, and now he was rejoicing at the news that he was "off to the -wars"! - -Susan's womanly heart divined his trouble, and she hastened to dissipate -it with caressing words. - -"God wills it, dear Geoffrey," she said; "I would not have it otherwise; -for think! at this very hour our beloved Ralph might have been standing -in the pillory at Tyburn. Oh, let us thank God for His mercy!" - -Quickly an hour flew by, and at mid-day the expected visitors arrived -and the young people were summoned to the library, where Don Renard and -Lord Clinton awaited them, holding converse, meanwhile, with Sir John -Jefferay. - -The Ambassador introduced them severally to Lord Clinton, and the -veteran soldier narrowly scanned his young recruits. He was still in the -prime of life, though he had seen much service, as the scars on his -rough and rugged face plainly showed. - -Evidently the General was pleased with the appearance of the young men, -of whom Don Renard had told him much. He took especial note of Geoffrey. - -"Your father and I," he said, "were at Court together, and we had the -honour of forming part of the escort which accompanied Queen Ann of -Cleves from Canterbury to London. I am glad to meet the son of Lord -Dacres." - -Then he talked to each of them individually, as one who was anxious to -make their personal acquaintance, and perhaps to form some opinion of -their capacities and inclinations. - -The English contingent, he informed them, consisted of eight thousand -men, of whom an advance body would leave Dover for Calais under his -command to-morrow. - -For the present he offered them, with the King's permission, commissions -in the Arquebusiers, with posts on his own staff. If this met their -views it would be necessary for them to join their regiment this very -night: the notice was short, but the case was urgent; were they ready? - -The young men eagerly gave willing consent, and so the matter was -decided, and the visitors rose to depart. - -"I have much to do to-day, Sir John," said Lord Clinton, "and so, I -doubt not, will be the case with these young gentlemen. I pray you -pardon so short a visit and so hurried a departure." - -Don Renard took an affectionate leave of his two protégés, and the -momentous interview was over. - -Intense activity prevailed at Gray's Inn that day. - -There were many preparations to be made, many farewells to be said and -counsels to be given. - -It was late in the evening that the young soldiers, each accompanied by -a trusty serving-man, mounted their horses for Dover, where they were to -embark with the troops for Calais. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XI - - THE BATTLE OF ST. QUENTIN - - -War had been declared with all due form and ceremony between England and -France, and King Philip was now eager to return to the Continent. - -He had obtained from Mary all the assistance she could wring from -reluctant England. - -For though the Queen entered with all her heart and soul into his -projects, as became the daughter of Catharine of Aragon, English people -felt that this was no quarrel of theirs, and they remembered that when -the "Spanish match" was hotly debated, a provision had been made in the -royal contract "that England should not be made a party to Philips -Continental wars." - -During the four months that he had been in England the King had exerted -himself strenuously to overcome this reluctance, and he had so far -succeeded that a well-equipped contingent of eight thousand stalwart -Englishmen had joined his army. - -Lords Pembroke, Clinton and Gray were in chief command of their -countrymen, and many a gallant young high-born Englishman had joined the -force, eager to gain military renown. - -Such was the feeling, undoubtedly, that influenced the three sons of the -Earl of Northumberland to accompany it, and similar hopes beat high in -the breasts of the two Jefferays and Geoffrey de Fynes. - -The King took his last adieu of Mary at the old palace of Greenwich; he -was never to see the fond, forsaken woman again! - -Poor Mary, who would not pity her? - -Philip hastened to Brussels, where the great army was assembling which -was to invade France and bring King Henry the Second to his knees. - -It was a motley army, consisting altogether of thirty-five thousand foot -and twelve thousand horse, besides a strong train of artillery. - -The flower of the infantry was drawn from Spain, Spanish warriors of -great experience, and bearing a reputation second to none in the world. - -The English force was entirely made up of foot soldiers, the cavalry -of the army being mercenary troops from Germany, known as -"Schwartzreiters." - -These "reiters" were the most dreaded troops of the age. Dark, swarthy -men, of whom Brantôme speaks as "noirs comme de beaux diables," each -carrying five or six pistolets in his belt, with swords and, sometimes, -a short arquebus. - -Truly a formidable armament! - -These were augmented by a fine corps of Burgundian lances, and a great -number of noble Castilian youths, eager to fight for the honour of Spain -under the eye of their King. - -The whole army was under the command of Emanuel Philibert, Duke of -Savoy, a youthful warrior of but twenty-nine years of age, yet -possessing already a great reputation as a clever, dashing soldier. - -This was the man whom Philip (probably for reasons of State) was -strongly supporting in his suit for the hand of the Princess Elizabeth -of England—an alliance which that astute lady firmly declined. - -Besides the Duke of Savoy there were other illustrious soldiers in -command of Philip's army—the Counts Egmont, Horn, Mansfeld being of the -number. - -Egmont was the hero of the army, as he was destined to become the -darling of his nation! - -Handsome beyond the usual share of mortals, young, ambitious, "sans peur -et sans reproche," he was the "preux chevalier" of Europe. - -Alas! that he was destined to die a felon's death in the market-place of -Brussels, with his illustrious brother-in-arms, Count Horn. - -Such was the army, such were its leaders. For miles and miles tents in -many thousands shone in the sunlight, in the pleasant month of August, -on the heights above the ancient town of St. Quentin. At the foot of the -great camp a morass and the River Somme intervened between it and the -beleaguered city. - -Well might the hearts of Englishmen beat high as they beheld the river -and thought of Agincourt and Crécy! Such thoughts filled the hearts of -four horsemen grouped together on the highest plateau whereon stood the -English camp. - -It was the 9th of August, and the day was breaking, flooding the scene -before them with rosy light. The pennons surmounting the snow-white -tents of the Spanish camps fluttered lightly in the breeze, which was -scarcely enough to unfurl the heavily emblazoned standards of the great -chiefs present. - -There were the ensigns of Eric and Henry, Dukes of Brunswick, of the -gigantic Lewes of Brederode, of Almoral, Count of Egmont and of Count -Horn. - -"Look, boys," cried Lord Clinton to Geoffrey, William and Ralph, whom he -had made his aides-de-camp. "Look well, the town is awake right early -to-day, and Coligni's men are mustering heavily around the great gates. -They are about to attempt a sortie, unless I am deceived. - -"You, Geoffrey, will remain here on watch with me; but you, Ralph, ride -at top speed to the Duke's tent and give the alarm; and you, William, to -Count Egmont. Haste, haste!" he cried, "the sortie has begun!" - -It was a wondrous scene. - -Out from the town poured the Dauphin's regiment under the command of the -brave but rash Teligni, and in a few minutes the object of the sortie -became evident. Close to the walls, between them and the Somme, stood -many houses of the humbler sort, and an avenue of thick plane-trees grew -beside them. - -In a few minutes the houses were enveloped in flames, and the soldiers -were levelling the trees to the ground with axes. - -These would form an obvious shelter to an attacking force, and their -destruction was a necessity. - -Meanwhile the Admiral (Coligni) was lining the ramparts with -arquebusiers, to protect the forces on sortie. - -The English camp was the first to receive the alarm and to come into -action, as Lord Clinton saw to his great joy. - -On all sides they were hurrying up, and presently from their serried -ranks a heavy musketry fire poured forth. The distance was great, for -the Somme and the morass lay between them and their foe, and this Lord -Clinton instantly perceived. - -"Ride, boy, to Count Brederode, and bid him bring up some field-pieces," -he cried hotly to William, who dashed off on his errand. - -Now the French arquebusiers began a heavy fusillade on the advancing -besiegers, and soon a thick veil of smoke hid the town of St. Quentin -from view. - -Little harm was being done by the hot musketry fire, and Lord Clinton -soon saw that the object of the garrison would be attained. - -"Oh, Brederode, Brederode! when will your guns speak?" he cried, as he -heard the enemy's trumpets sound the recall. - -Suddenly a roar of artillery rent the air, and the brave foe began to -retreat slowly and sullenly. Many a gallant man lay dead outside the -walls, stricken by that fierce fire; but their work was done—the -Admiral's object was gained. - -The town of St. Quentin, though rich and prosperous, was protected only -by ancient fortifications, long since "out of date," and in ruinous -condition. - -The garrison consisted of but one thousand men, and these were miserably -armed; there was practically no artillery. - -When the gallant Admiral had thrown himself into the town he found but -one culverin on the ramparts, and for that one no ammunition had been -provided! - -The town was not provisioned for a siege—a month's rations for the -troops was all that Coligni could find in St. Quentin. - -Then the Admiral took a desperate step which nothing but the cruel -exigencies of war could justify. - -All the aged and infirm, all the sick and helpless, were ordered to -leave the city, and seven hundred individuals were thus expelled, most -of them to perish from want and misery! - -The women were shut up in the cathedral and the churches, "lest their -terror and their tears should unman the troops." Coligni himself was the -very life and soul of the defence; foremost in every danger, sharing all -hardships, and cheering all despairing hearts, he was prepared to die -under the ruins of the town—he would never surrender to the foe! - -Meanwhile, a great French army, numbering eighteen thousand foot and six -thousand horse, was approaching to the relief of St. Quentin under the -Constable Montmorency. - -It was mainly composed of German mercenary troops, but the chivalry of -France were represented there in splendid array, proud to fight under -such leaders as Montmorency, the Prince of Condé, the Duke de Nevers, -Daudelot (the brother of the Admiral), and many another illustrious -chief. - -The relief army had encamped on the banks of the Somme at La Fère and -Ham; the Admiral sent messengers to Montmorency imploring instant -succour. - -The next day, August 8th, Daudelot strove to break through the lines of -the besiegers at the head of two thousand men, and he failed miserably! - -Most of his men perished in the morass, his guides mistaking the paths, -and thus bringing them into contact with the outposts of the besiegers. - -Their leader, under the cover of night, succeeded in making good his -retreat to La Fère, at the head of a mere straggling group of beaten -men! - -That same night a different scene took place in the great military tent -of Lord Clinton: he was entertaining the Lords Pembroke and Gray, and -many of the leaders of the Spanish army were there. - -The night was chilly, and a fine rain was falling. Around the camp fire -sat warriors of world-wide fame, and the English aides-de-camp, watchful -for the comforts of their lord's guests, marked each word that fell from -their lips. - -Especially did Almoral, Count Egmont, call forth their fervent -admiration. - -"He is like a young war-god," whispered Ralph to William. "Never saw I -so glorious a specimen of the _genus homo_. Oh, to follow such a leader -as that into the hot din of battle!" - -"Listen to what he is saying," replied his brother in a low voice; -"methinks our chance of such an honour will soon come." For Almoral was -relating how that very night his reiters had captured a messenger sent -by Coligni to Montmorency. - -"He had short shrift, I suppose!" said Brederode, with a hoarse laugh. - -"By my faith, no!" replied Egmont. "When I had read his message, I sent -him on his way to the French Constable, and bade him deliver it duly. -For this was the message— - -"'Par l'amour de Dieu, des sècours, ou nous allons perir.'" - -"You did well, Egmont," said Philibert of Savoy, "for I know the fiery -old Constable well, and this message will sting him to frenzy. - -"Ah! would that to-morrow were the day of battle; for, mark you, we -stand in a strange position of peril. In front of us is St. Quentin, -which we dare not abandon. Northward lies the French army, while from -the south Guise is hurrying up with his victorious army from Italy. - -"We may be caught between three fires unless we can destroy this French -army and capture St. Quentin before Guise can arrive. And if we can do -this, as by the help of Heaven we shall, there lies no other fortified -city between us and Paris, and Guise may arrive to find us in possession -of that noble city." - -The guests rose with one consent and cheered lustily. They drew their -swords and clashed them overhead with fierce joy! - -"Yes," whispered Ralph to William again, "we shall fight to-morrow, and -may you and I be in the thick of the strife!" - -Saturday, August 9th, broke hazily; St. Quentin was enveloped in a thick -mist which arose from the swampy plain surrounding it. - -At early dawn Montmorency put his whole army in motion; he would relieve -St. Quentin, or perish! - -His first effort was attended with surprising success. Intervening low -hills hid the advance of his troops from the Spaniards, and thus he was -able to secure possession of a windmill which commanded a ford over the -Somme, which led to the Spanish camp. - -The mill was held by a small force of the enemy, but Montmorency quickly -captured it and placed there a strong garrison under the Prince of -Condé. The main body pressed across the ford, and the artillery opened a -heavy fire on the Spanish camp, to the infinite surprise of the -Spaniards. - -It was as though their foe had dropped from the clouds. So near was the -range that the Duke of Savoy's tent was levelled to the ground, and -Philibert had barely time to escape, carrying his armour in his hand! He -took refuge in the quarters of the commander of the cavalry, Count -Egmont. - -This brief success seemed to Montmorency to be the presage of victory, -and Daudelot was sent with a strong force to cross the river and the -morass, and so bring succour to the besieged town. Meanwhile the French -army would keep the Spaniards in check. - -Soon the arquebusiers, in their heavy armour, were plunging horribly in -the quagmires of the morass, and by this time the Spanish artillery was -dealing death among them. - -Moreover, boats were required, and only four could be found; and these, -heavily laden with soldiers and the munitions of war, crossed and -recrossed the river slowly and with great difficulty. Two, overladen -with their burdens, sank in the deep waters, and the shouts and screams -of the drowning men added to the horrors of the scene. - -Eventually Daudelot, with five hundred men, reached the gates of St. -Quentin; all the rest perished miserably. Montmorency now gave the order -to retreat; a strong reinforcement (though at great loss) had been -thrown into the city, and so far his object was effected. - -Meanwhile, a brief council of war was held in Egmont's tent, in which -the fiery vehemence of the Count carried everything before it. - -The Duke of Savoy urged _caution_. - -The French army was so situated that the Spanish infantry, on which he -placed his chief confidence, could not act effectually against it. - -But the cavalry officers carried the day. - -"Shall we let so rich a prize escape?" cried Egmont, with wild -enthusiasm. "Heaven has placed within our power the destruction of the -flower of the French army, a Prince of the blood royal, and the great -Constable Montmorency. Capture them, and St. Quentin will be ours to- -morrow; and, by the grace of God, Paris will follow!" - -And, as he spoke, the auburn locks which fell over his shoulders shook -like a lion's mane; his eyes flashed fire, his burning eloquence was -irresistible! - - -------------- - -From the English quarters, where every man was drawn up in battle array, -Lord Clinton watched the progress of the battle and the movements of the -contending armies, ready at any moment to take part therein. - -He marked the Spanish cavalry drawing together in one dense mass in -Egmont's quarters. By his side stood his young aides-de-camp. - -"It will be a cavalry battle, I fear," he cried, "and England will have -no share in the glory of the day!" - -The young men around him, full of martial fire and thirsting for -conflict and victory, groaned audibly in dismay. - -Then Clinton turned suddenly to his faithful three, whom he had learned -to love. - -"Ah! I see how it is," he cried, "and you shall have the chance of glory -you thirst for! Ride, all three of you, to Egmont, and tell him that the -English force will follow swiftly on in the rear of his cavalry, in case -he need support. Tell him I make him a gift of your three swords, if he -can find place for you, and Heaven send you back to me in safety, and -forgive me if I err!" - -"Oh, thanks, my Lord, a thousand thanks!" cried the three with one -voice, and in another moment they were thundering forth to the spot -where Egmont's emblazoned standard fluttered heavily in the breeze. - -They were just in time; a minute longer and they had been too late! - -The sun had burst forth suddenly from a dark bank of clouds; it shone -vividly on Count Egmont as he sat on his great Flemish war-horse, -splendidly armed, in front of his eight thousand cavalry. - -Availing themselves of the privilege attached to aides-de-camp, the -three Englishmen traversed the plain in front of the grim line of the -cavalry, motionless, but eagerly awaiting the signal to charge. - -Reaching Egmont's side, De Fynes, as the eldest, bared his head and -cried— - -"A message, my Lord Count, from Lord Clinton!" and he repeated the -message word for word. - -Egmont had noted these three young Englishmen as they hung upon his -words in Lord Clinton's tent on the previous night, and he knew the -value of good English swords! - -So he smiled as he said— - -"Lord Clinton offers your services as my 'aides' to-day; be it so—fall -in behind me." - -They bowed their gratitude, then drew their swords and joined the ranks -of the noble youths who followed the banner of Egmont and did him -special and personal service. - -Oh, how happy they were! - -No fear, no misgiving beclouded their martial souls at that supreme -moment! - -Suddenly Egmont waved his sword aloft, and the clarions' shrill notes -gave the eagerly looked for signal to charge, and with a wild "Hurrah!" -the serried squadrons thundered down the slopes. - -Meanwhile conflicting counsels destroyed the confidence of the French -army, hesitation and dismay beset them. The keen eye of Condé had -watched the dark masses of Spanish cavalry gathering together on the -hills ready to descend like an avalanche on the retreating enemy. De -Montmorency's artillery dragged heavily through the swampy ground in the -rear, and he would not abandon it. - -In vain Condé sent swift and urgent messages to him, pointing out the -danger of delay. - -It was too late, the Spaniards were upon them! The retreating army -stayed its course and boldly faced the coming storm. - -Egmont with two thousand horse charged on their left flank; the other -side was assaulted by the Dukes Eric and Henry of Brunswick, while -Mansfeld burst on their front. - -The French army wavered under the tremendous shock, while the camp -followers, pedlers and sutlers took to instant flight, and thus spread -dismay through the entire army. - -The Spanish cavalry carried everything before it; the rout was sudden -and final! - -The Duc de Nevers made a despairing effort to restore the battle at the -head of five hundred dragoons; but the "black devils," as the Frenchmen -called the "Schwartzreiters," cut them to pieces, and the Duc barely -escaped at the head of a mere handful of men to La Fère, and with him -was the Prince of Condé. - -For a time the French infantry presented a bold front; the Gascons, the -flower of the army, threw themselves into squares, and the fierce -cavalry rode round their solid masses, bristling with steel, unable to -find an entrance. - -At this moment the Duke of Savoy, with his artillery, came on the field -of action, and their deadly fire sealed the fate of the foe. - -Yet the noble chivalry of France refused to be thus scattered and -beaten; they gathered together in groups, fighting desperately to the -last—brave souls to whom death was preferable to surrender! - -Many men threw down their arms on that field of blood, many fled -helplessly before the remorseless reiters, the strong overturning the -weak and trampling down the wounded. - -Blood flowed like water, death was on every side, and above all other -sounds were the wild neighing of the war-horses and the fierce curses of -their riders. - -The fight and the pursuit of the fugitives had lasted four hours; the -shades of evening were falling as the victors returned to the field to -take up their quarters for the night and to secure their unhappy -prisoners, for whom heavy ransoms would have to be paid to their -captors. - -France had not suffered such a defeat since Agincourt; the bravest and -noblest of her sons had fallen on that field of blood! - -Montmorency was a prisoner. - -A shot from a schwartzreiter had fractured his thigh as he was throwing -himself into the hottest part of the battle, determined to perish. - -Covered with mire and blood, unrecognizable in the fierce mêlée, he -would have died where he fell, at the hands of the fierce foe. - -But over his fallen body stood three gallant swordsmen, whose determined -attitude warned all men off. And as the fiery stream of battle flowed -onwards, they lifted up the fallen Constable tenderly, and bore him to a -place of safety. - -Yet were they not to do this deed of mercy unmolested. A swarthy reiter -followed them, observing that the fallen man was of high rank. - -"I claim this man as my prisoner, and I hold to ransom; mine was the -shot that brought him down," said he fiercely. - -"Make your claim good to King Philip, we shall not resist it; the ransom -may be yours, but at present the body is ours," answered De Fynes -boldly. - -And De Montmorency lived to pay so great a ransom (10,000 ducats), that -his captor was able to buy a fortress on the Rhine and a title of -nobility! - -But the Constable's fame as a soldier was lost for ever, and the evening -of his days was spent in obscurity. - - -That night the three English youths, unwounded and unscathed, reported -themselves to their commander, Lord Clinton. Ah, what a happy meeting -was that! And though the English contingent took no leading part in the -battle, yet their presence before the town prevented Coligni from -succeeding in an attempted sortie from St. Quentin—they did good -service. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XII - - THE FALL OF ST. QUENTIN - - -A vast amount of spoil fell into the hands of the victors: among it were -eighty standards and all the artillery save two pieces. - -The prisoners numbered six thousand men, of whom six hundred were -gentlemen of position. - -Of De Montmorency's fine army of twenty-two thousand men all were slain -or captured, save five thousand. Among the slain were some of the -noblest of the sons of France, notably Jean de Bourbon, Count d'Enghien, -a prince of the blood. - -On the side of the Spaniards less than a thousand fell, among them being -Count Brederode (who perished in the morass, smothered in his armour) -and Counts Spiegelbourg and Waldeck. - -On the next day King Philip himself rode into the camp; he had left -Brussels and was at Cambrai when the battle took place. He was received -with all the honours of war—with unbounded enthusiasm! - -The unhappy prisoners were paraded before him in long procession, and -the captured standards were placed at his feet—the camp was delirious -with joy. - -A council of war was forthwith held to decide on future operations. - -With fiery zeal Egmont and Gonzaga urged that an immediate march on -Paris should be made. - -"Send me on with the cavalry, sire, and I promise you that in four days -you shall sup in Paris!" cried Egmont. - -But Philip was as cautious as his renowned father, Charles the Fifth, -was adventurous. - -When the news of the battle reached the abdicated Emperor, his first -inquiry was "whether Philip was in Paris." - -There were many difficulties to be surmounted ere that glorious -consummation could be reached, and Philip laid them before the council. - -"St. Quentin must first be taken! Between them and Paris there existed -many a strong fortress, and wide rivers which must be crossed. Moreover, -Paris would not surrender lightly—its citizens could man the walls with -forty thousand men at least. - -"Again, Condé and Nevers, with the relics of the broken army, must be -reckoned with. Ere long Guise would come to their support." - -So the King argued, and the council reluctantly agreed that all their -efforts should now be concentrated on the capture of St. Quentin. - -Before the council broke up King Philip called Egmont to him, and taking -the collar of the Golden Fleece from his own person, placed it upon the -neck of the Count as the real hero of the day! - -All Spain ratified the King's deed; "Egmont and St. Quentin" became the -rallying cry of the nation, and the fame of the brave Hollander reached -the farthest limits of the mighty empire over which Philip ruled. - -With royal generosity Philip bestowed rich rewards on the chieftains -assembled in council that day. To Savoy princely rank and high office -near his person, and to all others guerdons according to their rank. - - -------------- - -There was a great meeting in Egmont's tent that night. Thither came the -English lords—Pembroke, Gray, and Clinton—and at the banquet-table sat -Spanish and Flemish nobles of high degree, many of them bearing the -traces of battle upon them, yet all were jubilant and triumphant. - -Behind the great chiefs stood their aides-de-camp, according to Spanish -custom, and among these young warriors were Geoffrey, Ralph, and -William. - -Ere the revelry had grown to its height and had become uproarious, -Egmont's eye fell upon the three English youths and, with the generosity -of his noble nature, he called them before him, inquired their name, and -shook each by the hand. - -"You rode well to-day, my gallant young soldiers, and I saw you deal -many a lusty blow for the honour of Spain and the Netherlands," he said. -"I marked how you stood by the fallen Constable, and though two -Spaniards, as I hear, claim the honour of his capture, you certainly -rescued his body. You will not forget the day of St. Quentin: I will -give you something whereby to remember it." - -Then he called his major-domo to him, and taking a huge gold goblet into -his hand, he cried— - -"Fill this goblet with golden ducats." - -It was soon done, for King Philip had given him five thousand that day. - -"Take it, boys, and divide the money among you and toss for the cup! -Well do you deserve it. England may be proud of her sons if they are all -such as you!" - -What wonder that Almoral, Count Egmont, was the hero, the darling, -almost the demi-god of those who served under his banner. - -This was the bright and glittering side of war. Alas! how little men -recked of the desolation, death, despair and destruction it caused! How -little thought they in Egmont's tent that night of the unburied dead -whose cold bodies lay on the blood-stained battlefield of St. Quentin! -How little of the broken hearts, the shattered hopes, the desolate homes -in the fair regions of sunny France when the news of that fatal day -should be borne to the humiliated but proud nation! - - -------------- - -The next day the Spanish camp resounded with the preparations for the -renewed siege of St. Quentin. Fresh batteries were thrown up on all -sides on which the artillery, captured from the French, was planted, -and, ere many hours had passed, a furious cannonade burst forth upon the -crumbling fortifications of the doomed city. Mines were planted, and -galleries excavated almost to the very centre of St. Quentin. - -Yet no thought of surrender occupied the valiant heart of Admiral -Coligni! - -It was at this point that his heroism and devotion to duty reached its -height. He knew that the hopes of France depended upon the city being -held till succour came, till the conquering army under Guise could -arrive! - -The able-bodied men of his garrison numbered but eight hundred, and -these were half-starved and well-nigh worn out by incessant exertion. - -By night, by day, sleepless yet indefatigable, the gallant Admiral -shared the dangers and the labours of his men; cheering, exhorting, -praising every desperate deed of valour and immediately rewarding it, -the Admiral was the very life and soul of the defence! - -Help came to him unexpectedly. - -De Nevers, with the relics of the shattered army, still lingered in the -neighbourhood, and he managed to throw one hundred and fifty -arquebusiers into the town, though thrice that number perished in the -attempt. - -Coligni formed countermines, and in subterranean regions fierce combats -took place between the besieged and the besiegers,—men fought like -demons! - -Yet he knew that the last provisions were being consumed, that huge -breaches were being made in the crumbling walls which St. Remy, the -renowned French engineer, strove to repair, under cover of night, with -desperate energy. Huge timbers were dragged to the top of the tottering -ramparts, and under their shelter the arquebusiers kept up a perpetual -fire on the Spaniards. - -Thus the siege went on till August 27. In vain did Coligni scan the -horizon from the top of the cathedral tower—Guise came not! - -A most furious cannonade from the Spanish batteries on the night of the -twenty-sixth had resulted in the making of eleven great breaches in the -ramparts, and the Duke of Savoy saw that the time had come for a general -assault upon the city. - -Early in the morning he put his whole force under arms, assigning to the -English contingent the honour of leading the assault. - -Coligni saw that the decisive hour was at hand. He filled the breaches -with his troops, taking charge of the most dangerous one himself, while -his brother Daudelot took another almost equally critical. - -The spirit of the defenders was magnificent, each man felt that the end -was near, and they were prepared to die under the ruins of the city; -none thought of surrender, no white flag was unfurled! - -Savoy preluded the general assault by a furious cannonade, and it was -not till the afternoon that the signal was given by the shrill voices of -the trumpets for the great onslaught. - -Then the English rushed forward, closely followed by Spaniards, Germans, -and Flemish in generous rivalry. King Philip beheld the wondrous scene -from a neighbouring hill, and his troops, knowing that they were -fighting under the eye of their Sovereign, were inspired with heroic -zeal. - -It was a titanic struggle! - -For a whole hour the gaunt and famished Frenchmen held their foes in -check, and at length the Spaniards were driven off—not a single breach -had been carried. - -Savoy gave his men a brief breathing time, then the clarions pealed -forth their wild notes again, and the fierce strife burst forth anew. - -The Duc's keen eye had noted a weak point in the defence. - -A strong tower on the ramparts had been left with few defenders, in -reliance upon its apparent invulnerability. On this point Savoy hurled -the English contingent, and in one great rush it was carried and the -invaders poured into the city. - -In vain had Coligni rushed to its defence, fighting desperately, hand- -to-hand, with the assailants. He was overpowered and, with his heroic -brother Daudelot, was taken prisoner. - -Immediately he was led through one of the excavated passages by his -captor, Francisco Diaz, to the exterior of the city and into the -presence of King Philip, who gave Diaz ten thousand ducats. - -Then a fierce onslaught by the whole army swept all resistance before -it, and in half-an-hour the city was captured! - -Philip entered the city in complete armour, a page carrying his helmet; -and a roar of savage triumph went up from his troops as they beheld -their King. He had never been present at the storming of a city before, -and the sights that met his eye moved even his stony heart to pity. - -The wild schwartzreiters spared neither age nor sex. As the Frenchmen -retreated to the market-place, where their final slaughter took place, -the troops entered the well-built houses of the citizens, slaying every -living soul within them and loading themselves with rich plunder, some -obtaining two or three thousand ducats apiece. In pure recklessness they -set the houses on fire, and soon the whole city was ablaze. - -Philip gave immediate orders that the fires should be quenched, and that -all who surrendered should be admitted to pardon. - -Crowds of women and children threw themselves at his feet with loud -cries for mercy, and he ordered them to be escorted out of the city. - -But the cruel storm of savage lust and thirst for blood had passed -beyond human control. - -As the flames spread to the cathedral and the churches, the women who -had taken refuge within the sacred walls came pouring forth, panic- -stricken with fear. Many of them were richly dressed, some even wore -jewels, perhaps thinking them safer in their possession than if they had -been left in the doomed town. - -Upon these helpless women the wild Germans rushed with savage cries, -their ornaments and even their rich garments were torn from them, and -the mad reiters slashed their faces with their daggers and knives. - -An infernal din filled the air, screams of anguish, cries for mercy, -mingled with the demoniac shouts and curses of the conquerors. - -Under the walls of the venerable cathedral stood a company of English -soldiers; they had been sent by Philip to perform a curious duty. - -In that building, dedicated to his honour, were stored up the relics of -St. Quentin, and Philip had ordered that the venerated bones of the -Saint should be conveyed to the camp with all honour, and that a mass -should be sung before them. - -And this while the blazing streets were full of the dead and dying, -while helpless children and hapless maidens were being dismembered, -while blood ran in torrents on every side. - -Alas, that the royal pity should thus be extended to the dead and denied -to the living! - - -------------- - -Among the English group stood Lord Clinton's three aides-de-camp, gazing -on the scene with sullen anger. Many a helpless babe and terror-stricken -mother had they rescued in obedience to Philip's own command. - -Suddenly a young Frenchwoman, richly dressed, rushed towards them -followed by a mounted reiter. Ere she could reach the place of safety -the trooper overtook her, and with one cruel sweep of his sword lopped -off her right arm. She fell to her feet and the soldier lifted his sword -again, with the evident intent of depriving her of both her arms. But -ere he could accomplish his fell purpose Ralph sprang forward with a -shout. - -"Devil, fiend and assassin!" he cried, as he ran his sharp rapier -through the reiter's sword-arm. - -The German's weapon dropped from his right hand, and with his left he -strove to draw a pistol from his holster, as he turned fiercely upon his -assailant. But pain and anguish overcame him, and he reeled from his -saddle. - -The deed had been seen by his comrades, and, in an instant, a troop of -them faced the English, who had leapt to Ralph's side, with wild cries -of vengeance. They had dragged their wounded comrade into their midst, -now they drew their huge pistols from their holsters and, advancing on -the English, their leader cried, as he pointed to Ralph— - -"Deliver that man up to us or we will slay you all!" - -It was at this critical moment that the great door of the cathedral was -thrown open and a white-robed procession of priests issued from it; they -were bearing forth the relics of St. Quentin in obedience to the King's -command. And on the southern side of the place the King, in his flashing -Milanese armour, and mounted on his war-horse, advanced to meet them, -greeting the sacred relics with bowed head. - -His royal presence quelled the tumult; all weapons were lowered till the -King should have passed on his way. But the King's keen eye had noted -that something unusual had happened—that the English and the Germans -were confronting each other in deadly hostility. - -He beckoned Count Mansfeld to his side, the reiter chieftain had been -riding behind him. Pointing to the two groups of soldiers, he said— - -"Something has gone amiss. Your brave reiters, Count, are getting out of -hand. Stay here with fifty of my guards, inquire into the case and -report it to me this night." - -Mansfeld bowed low in acquiescence, and the King rode slowly off in the -rear of the priestly procession. The instant the King was gone the Count -turned sternly on the offenders as the fifty guards drew up behind him. - -The old Count was the sternest disciplinarian in the Spanish army, and -all men knew it. None but he could bring an enraged, riotous reiter to -order. - -"Come hither, Friedrich," he said in cold tones of command to the leader -of the German troop. "Tell me briefly, what means this?" - -"Yon Englishman," said Friedrich, "ran his poniard through Gustav's arm, -and we were about to avenge him." - -"And wherefore did he that?" said Mansfeld. - -The reiter captain hesitated, and the Count's face grew sternly fierce. - -"Was that the cause?" he said, pointing to where the body of the woman -lay. - -She had gone into a swoon, and beside her lay her severed arm. - -"I see," said the Count, with increased severity; "and the Englishman -avenged her; was not that so?" - -The reiter captain still remained silent. - -"Yet you knew of the King's command that mercy should be shown to all -women and children." - -Then he turned to his escort. - -"Take that wounded man," he said, pointing to the schwartzreiter, now -craven with fear and crying for mercy, "hang him from yon turret -forthwith in token that the King's order must be obeyed!" - -The order was instantly obeyed. - -The night was coming down upon the unhappy city and no deed of justice, -no royal order could quell the thirst for blood, for rapine and pillage -which possessed the mad soldiery who held St. Quentin in their power -that night. The powers of evil took full possession of the fallen town— -it was given over to sack and pillage. - -The chieftains had retired to the camp to celebrate their victory with -banquets, the King was holding high service over the relics of St. -Quentin, the army was left in possession of the city. It was burning in -every part, and houses were falling with thunderous sound. - -Yet the soldiers dashed through flame and smoke like demons, in eager -search for booty. The cellars were plundered, the garrets were searched, -nothing escaped the greed and brutality of the plunderers. - -The streets were strewn with the bodies and dismembered limbs of the -vanquished, and famished dogs were ravenously gnawing human flesh. - -Such women as had escaped had been again driven by Philip's order into -the cathedral, and there were left to perish by famine! - -Yet, while sin and crime lifted their heads high and unabashed, there -were three delinquents who met condign punishment, and their case was a -singular one. - -Three Germans made their way into the vestry of the cathedral, and they -emerged thence clothed in gorgeous copes and chasubles. Mounting their -horses outside the cathedral, they rode gaily about the burning town, -their strange attire attracting laughter and derision from their -comrades. - -By some strange fatality this escapade came to the ears of Philip, -perhaps the royal chaplain informed him of it. - -The offenders were instantly sought for and arrested. Philip ordered all -of the three to be hanged! His sensitive soul could not endure this -outrage upon religion, though for three days and three dreadful nights -he had allowed the pillage of the city to continue. - -On the morning of the fourth day all soldiers were ordered into camp. -The desolated city was left in peace—it was the peace of the dead! - -So fell St. Quentin! - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XIII - - THE SCHWARTZREITERS - - -The week which followed the fall of St. Quentin was a period of -strenuous exertion on the part of the conquerors. - -The dead were buried, the city was cleansed of its many impurities, and -the devastating fires which had threatened the destruction of the whole -town were at length subdued. - -Of all the religious edifices in the city the cathedral alone remained -unconsumed by the devouring element. Philip had himself superintended -the efforts made for its preservation; streets were pulled down, strong -buildings were blown up by gunpowder, and at length the noble building -stood in grand isolation, but safe from fire. - -A strong Spanish garrison was placed in possession of St. Quentin; the -remainder of the army was under orders to prepare for instant and active -service. - -The neighbouring towns of Picardy, Catelet, Ham, and Chanley were to be -besieged forthwith, and the camp was full of zeal and animation—for -surely fresh spoils awaited the soldiers of Philip, and bright visions -of glory and honour filled the minds of the chieftains. In the English -camp alone these feelings held no sway. The war had never been popular -with them—they felt that they were fighting the battles of King Philip, -and not those of their own country. - -And now that the main object of the expedition had been won, and the -chief town in Picardy captured, the English contingent were eager to -return home. - - -------------- - -In the evening of a fine September day Lord Clinton's three aides-de- -camp were reposing in their tent after a day's active exertion. - -That day a courier had brought them letters from England, and the young -men were eagerly discussing home news. - -Susan had written to each of them, for she had much to tell. - -The fires of Smithfield had burst forth anew, to the horror of the -people and the grief of all good men. That very day three victims had -perished, and the Queen's guards had scarce prevented the London people -from attempting forcible rescue. - -One condemned man had been pardoned by the Cardinal Archbishop, and many -were said to have been freed by him after brief examination and apparent -but doubtful submission. - -Rumours were afloat in London, Susan said, that the Cardinal had fallen -out of favour at Rome, and that the Pope (Paul IV) had deprived him of -his legatine commission and had recalled him to Rome. The Archbishop was -in bad health, and on this plea the Queen had refused to give him -permission to leave the country. - -These things brought great unhappiness to the Queen, and added to them -was the increasing malignity of her disorder—she was evidently sinking -into the grave—and there was none to pity her! - -"Alas, poor Queen," wrote Susan, "unloved by her people, deserted by her -husband, worried by the Pope, and conscious, above all, that she had -failed in the one object of her life, and that her successor, the -Princess Elizabeth, would undo all her work for the 'conversion' of -England." - -Yet Susan had some good news to tell them. - -"Sir John was in excellent health, and he had lately received news from -their beloved father that he and their dear Vicar were well, and were -determined to return to England on the day when the Princess should be -declared Queen. - -"Oh, when will you three dear boys come home?" she wrote. "How I long -for that day, how I picture ourselves at the beloved home in Sussex, the -sweet old house at Chiddingly! - -"I close my eyes, and my mind pictures to me the green woods and the -noble sweep of the Sussex downs. I seem to hear the cawing of the rooks -in the tall trees and the singing of the birds in the shrubberies. Oh, I -grow mad with deep longing! God send you home quickly, safe and sound." - -The boys listened to these words with bated breath—perhaps with -moistened eyes—for Susan's passionate love for her Sussex home expressed -their own deep longings. - -"Here comes Lord Clinton," said Geoffrey suddenly, as he saw their -lord's well-known figure approaching the tent. - -They rose to receive him; then, as he took a seat, after some pleasant -words of greeting, William spoke— - -"We are happy to see you, my Lord; we are anxious to know if our -marching orders have been given." - -"It is on that very point that I am come to see you. I have my marching -orders, but I am not sure that I shall take you with me." - -The young "aides" started with surprise; but ere they could seek an -explanation of his words Lord Clinton proceeded to say— - -"I wish to hold a brief consultation with you. Count Mansfeld has just -brought me some sinister news. He tells me that his reiters have -discovered that it was Ralph's poniard which disabled the man who was -afterwards hung from the cathedral turret, and they have sworn to avenge -his death. - -"He has sent them a message that he will sharply punish the perpetrators -of any such an attempt, but Mansfeld tells me that his men are in a -dangerous humour, and he wished me to warn you to keep to the limits of -your own camp, and that even within those limits Ralph should never -wander alone." - -The young soldiers smiled disdainfully. - -"Our swords can guard our heads, my Lord, we have no fear!" said -Geoffrey. - -"Yes, I know that," cried Clinton, "but I want to make assurance doubly -sure. - -"Now, listen. By to-day's courier the King has received some disquieting -news. Guise is collecting a great army under King Henry's orders, and -Philip has a suspicion that Calais is to be the object of his attack. - -"From his spies at the French Court he hears that the Bishop of Acqs, -the French envoy to England, has just returned home, and that he passed -through Calais _en route_. He reports that the town is practically -defenceless; the garrison is small, the fortifications are in a state of -ruin. - -"The King is sending swift messengers to Queen Mary to urge her to -remedy this condition of things, but he wishes to obtain proof that the -Bishop's statements are true. I have offered him your services, if you -are willing to undertake the duty. What say you? - -"Your mission will be a secret one, and it will be attended with many -dangers both by land and sea; but it will bring you much honour if you -succeed. From Calais you would proceed direct to Dover, and so to London -to lay your report before the Queen." - -The boys listened with glistening eyes; this was the Heaven-sent -fulfilment of their dearest hopes! With one voice they cried— - -"We accept!" - -"I knew that you would do so," replied Clinton, "and I go to ask the -King to give you a letter to be presented to Lord Wentworth, the -Governor of Calais. Make your preparations with all possible secrecy—you -will start to-night under cover of darkness. Your route will be to -Brussels, and thence to Antwerp, where you will embark on a King's ship -for Calais. - -"I will provide you with three strong horses; at Brussels you will -change these for three others, which you will leave at Antwerp. There is -no moon to-night, happily; you must start at eight o'clock, and I will -be here to give you money and your last instructions. Now I go to the -King; commence your preparations at once; I return to you in an hour's -time," and therewith Lord Clinton left them. - -What joy he left behind him! The three boys flung their caps in the air, -they shook each other by the hand, they would have given hearty cheers -but for the remembrance that secrecy had now become their watchword. - -Their preparations would be few, but even for these they required the -help of their three faithful serving lads, strong Chiddingly lads of -approved courage, who loved their young masters better than their lives. - -"Oh, that we might take the lads with us," cried Ralph. "I will follow -Lord Clinton and seek his permission," he added. - -"That you may not do," said Geoffrey firmly; "do you not remember that -you are not to leave the tent alone? If you go we must accompany you. - -"But stay; is there not a better way? If Lord Clinton consent, the three -lads can ride on our horses, though they are somewhat sorry nags; we -will lay the matter before him when he returns at eight o'clock. -Meanwhile, they can help us furbish our weapons and prepare our -travelling packs, they can feed the horses and have them ready to set -forth, we need not tell them more than is necessary, that we have to -ride forth on the King's business to-night will suffice." - -So it was decided. - -The lads occupied an adjoining tent; they were at this moment awaiting -their masters' summons to prepare their simple evening meal. They were -called in, and speedily all things were proceeding according to -Geoffrey's suggestions. - -The shades of night were deepening as they sat down to supper, it was a -quarter to eight o'clock. The camp fires were being lit, and the -soldiers of the English contingent were gathering around them in merry -groups. - -It was eight o'clock and the young Englishmen had supped, all their -preparations were complete. - -The flap of the tent lifted silently, and two cloaked figures entered, -their features hidden in the folds of their outer garments. These they -now cast aside, and by the dim light which illumined the tent the -"aides" recognized Lord Clinton, and with him the King! - -Instantly the young men knelt on one knee before him and kissed his -hand. - -Philip gazed intently upon their countenances: he knew them fairly well, -but it seemed as if he wished to reassure himself. Then in a low, cold, -but distinct voice he said to Lord Clinton— - -"They will do; we have met under many different circumstances, and I -know them to be brave men." - -"Your Majesty is right," replied Lord Clinton, "they will do their duty -or die in endeavouring to fulfil it." - -Then Philip addressed the Englishmen. - -Their mission required secrecy, speed, courage and endurance. They were -to make close inspection of the fortifications, guns, material of war, -and the garrison of Calais with Lord Wentworth's help, to whom he had -written. This letter, which he now gave them, must never fall into the -hands of the enemy, to whom it would reveal all his suspicions and -plans. He delivered this letter into the hands of Monsieur de Fynes, as -the eldest of the three. If danger befell them it were better that the -two younger men should perish, so long as the bearer of the letter -escaped. If he fell into the hands of the foe let him see that the -letter was destroyed at all hazards. The perilous part of their journey -would be the portion of it which lay in French territory, but twelve -hours hard riding would carry them into Flanders, after which there -would be little danger, yet let them never remit their precautions. - -The King then handed to each man a heavy purse of gold wherewith to -defray expenses, the surplus, if any, would be their own. - -"I hear the sound of your horses outside the tent," said the King; "have -I made all explicit, is there any question you would like to ask?" - -The young men looked at each other. Then Geoffrey spoke— - -"Your Majesty may rely on our carrying out your gracious commands, or we -shall perish in the attempt. We have but one thing to suggest, and that -is that our three faithful servants may accompany us; they can ride our -own horses and they will be of great service to us." - -The King and Lord Clinton conversed in low tones, then Clinton announced -their decision. - -"His Majesty agrees to your request," he said; "we think it will attract -less observation and suspicion if three gentlemen be accompanied by -their serving men than if they travelled alone: it is a wise suggestion -on your part." - -Then the King and Lord Clinton arose from their seats and prepared to -depart. The King extended his hand, which the young men again knelt to -kiss, and he bade them farewell. Lord Clinton shook hands warmly with -them. - -"Adieu! _mes braves gens_," he said: "God grant you a safe and -successful journey. We shall next meet in London, I trust. Farewell, -farewell." And so they left the tent. - -The young men stood in silence for a moment, then Geoffrey spoke— - -"The King has laid a heavy trust upon us," he said, "and therein has -conferred on us great honour, for we shall now be doing service to our -own dear country as well as to his. Let us ask a greater King than -Philip, even our Heavenly Father, to bless our enterprise." - -With one impulse the young men knelt, and for a few minutes held silent -converse with God. Ere they left the tent William spoke. - -"In this matter, my brothers, we need a leader whom we swear to obey in -all things. I propose that Geoffrey be our captain." - -"Nay," urged Geoffrey; but ere he could proceed further Ralph -intervened. - -"I consent, and that most heartily," he said. - -Geoffrey grasped the hands of his two comrades and said— - -"Let it be as you wish, my brothers, and my first word of command is to -horse! to horse!" - -It was a lovely night, the stars shone brilliantly in the autumnal sky, -a light refreshing breeze had sprung up. - -Outside the tent six horses stood awaiting their riders. Three of these -were held by Lord Clinton's grooms; they were great Flemish war-horses -of a renowned breed, beside which the three English horses, held by the -Sussex lads, looked small and insignificant. Yet these latter were wiry -and strong; happily they were in excellent condition and fit for the -long journey before them. - -Before they mounted their horses the Englishmen closely inspected every -part of the harness, to assure themselves that nothing was amiss. The -lads' horses were examined with equal care, and the weapons of their -riders underwent Geoffrey's keen scrutiny. Every man was armed with a -brace of pistolets and with poniard and dagger. The inspection was over, -and, at the word of command, the six men swung into their saddles. - -"Slowly through the camp," said Geoffrey in a low voice. - -As they moved forward a camp follower, apparently the worse for drink, -lurched heavily against one of the lads' horses and caught at his -stirrup to steady himself. - -"Where away, comrade?" he hiccuped to the lad, who in reply slashed at -the impudent villain with his whip. - -Geoffrey's quick ear had caught the sound of a voice, and he instantly -reined up his horse. - -"Stop that man," he cried; but it was too late, he had darted out of -sight in the darkness. - -The party went on, the three young masters riding abreast, the lads -following closely behind. They wound their way carefully through the -camp, now thronged with soldiers, sutlers and followers of all kinds. - -It was a striking sight. Huge fires burned high at regular intervals, -and around them all the revelry of a camp in time of war was beginning. - -At ten o'clock a gun would be fired and all fires would be put out, all -strangers turned out of camp, and stillness would come down where -pandemonium had so lately held sway. - -The passing of the travellers through the camp excited no observation -nor surprise. Armed couriers were frequently sent out to the outlying -posts and the neighbouring towns. These latter were falling daily into -the possession of the conquering army. - -So the party rode forward unmolestedly and slowly till the confines of -the camp were reached. Before them lay the broad trackway which led to -Brussels. It was a rough, rugged road, but it was sufficiently plain to -follow, even in the semi-darkness of the night. The late contending -armies had passed along it recently, and all wayside inns and even -private houses had been ruthlessly plundered and, in most cases, burnt. -The despoiled inhabitants, the peasantry, the woodsmen, the charcoal -burners, and a host of others had fled into the woods for safety. -Desperate and starving, the men had formed themselves into marauding -bands, and many a fair chateau, many a quiet, peaceful farm-house and -village hamlet had been plundered by them in turn. - -Each night the reddened sky told of some dreadful fire, and for the -moment the law was powerless. Woe to the unarmed traveller, woe to the -wounded straggler who limped behind his regiment if they fell into the -hands of a furious peasantry! - -This was one of the dangers which Philip had in his mind when he told -the young men that their chief peril would be as they passed through -French territory. - -"Halt!" cried Geoffrey, as the party entered upon the military road, and -all drew rein and gathered around him. "It is right, my lads," said he, -"that you should know whither we ride to-night, and, as you will share -whatever perils may befall us, whither we go. We ride on the King's -business to Brussels, that is our first halting-place. Before us lies a -long journey, perhaps of ten or twelve hours in duration, through the -enemy's country. Be wary, be watchful, see that your pistols are ready -for service and your swords loose in their sheaths. We ride at a hand- -gallop, not too fast lest we distress our horses too soon. You, Robin, -will be our advance-guard, and you will ride a hundred yards ahead of -us. You, Hal, will ride a hundred yards behind us, and you, Tom, will -keep close to our rear, we may need you as a messenger. A shrill whistle -will be the signal that we all unite in one body, that danger is near. -The advance-guard will ever be on the alert to see that the road is -clear, that no obstacles be placed in our way by the 'gueux' who haunt -these devastated regions. The rear-guard will see, above all things, -that we are not followed by foes. Now have I made all things clear?" - -"Aye, aye, sir," cried the men. - -"Then let us ride on, in God's name," said Geoffrey. - -Robin galloped forward, the four men followed in close order, the rear- -guard took up his allotted position. The lights from the camp illumined -the country in the rear, and for a long time the hum of the warlike -multitude filled the air. - -Thus half-an-hour passed; they were galloping at a fairly easy pace -along the rough road, and the great Flemish horses were warming to their -work, sometimes neighing gaily as they tossed their heavy manes in the -air. - -Not a sound now broke the solemn silence of the night, save the beating -of the horses' hoofs on the hard road. - -They passed through hamlets once full of happy and industrious -peasantry, now scenes of black ruin and dire desolation. - -Sometimes starving dogs would follow them with a fierce howl, and it -became necessary to beat off the poor animals with the whip. Sometimes a -solitary shout, or the shrill scream of a woman's voice reached their -ears, and the young men would have halted out of pure compassion. But it -might not be! - -"On, on!" cried Geoffrey; "we may not draw rein for man nor woman, for -foe nor friend, till we have done the King's business." - -The signs of the works of the Prince of Darkness were often visible, and -the sky in a dozen places reflected the red glare of lurid flames. - -Once they came very near to a scene of fierce conflict—men were -besieging a strong stone mill and the valiant miller was making a hard -fight for his life and homestead. - -Ralph was strongly moved at this sight, all his keen soldierly instincts -arose in his soul, and he laid his hand on Geoffrey's arm as he cried— - -"Oh! may we not make one gallant charge on that murderous mob? we should -scatter them as chaff before the wind. Oh! Geoffrey, give leave, I -prithee!" - -"And lose the King's letter, perhaps. Nay, my brave boy, it must not -be," answered Geoffrey, as they galloped on. - -On, on into the darkness they rode, their gallant horses neither -faltering nor failing. As they rode a shrill cry as of some stricken -creature in its last agony burst upon their ears; they could not avoid -this case of distress, it lay in their very road. - -A group of men could be dimly discerned at the roadside. They had heeded -not the approach of a single horseman as Robin swept past them, but as -the central group came thundering on the men leapt into the adjoining -wood. - -"Halt!" cried Geoffrey, and he blew his signal to the advance-guard. - -A man was evidently bound to a tree; at his feet was a half-extinguished -fire. - -Seizing a firebrand and swinging it into flame, the lad Tom (who had -dismounted) held it close to the prisoner's face, then cut his bonds -with his dagger. The man was a Jewish peddler, and his mutilated hands -showed the cause of his cries of anguish, three of his fingers had been -roughly cut away. - -"Speak, man!" cried Geoffrey; "tell us quickly your case, for we may not -tarry." - -Then the peddler told them, in hurried words, that he had fallen into -the hands of robbers, and that they were torturing him until he should -tell them where he had concealed his pack. - -"And where is your pack?" said Geoffrey. - -The man hesitated, he cast a suspicious eye on Geoffrey. - -"Put aside your fear, man," said Geoffrey; "we are Englishmen on service -for King Philip, and we are in hot haste." - -"At Busigney, my lord," said the peddler, regaining confidence. - -Geoffrey consulted with his comrades for a few moments. They would pass -Busigney shortly on their route, they could not leave the man to perish; -a decision was soon reached. - -"We will take you to Busigney," said Geoffrey; "mount behind me, my -horse is strong and will carry two as well as one." - -"Heaven bless you, my lord," replied the man, and by the help of the lad -Tom he was soon seated behind Geoffrey. - -"Forward!" cried Geoffrey, "we have lost valuable time and we must make -up for it," and the whole party galloped on at increased speed. - -But ere they had gone far the lad in the rear overtook them at a hot -pace. - -"There is a strong body of cavalry coming up behind us, and in a few -moments they will over-take us—they are riding furiously." - -Geoffrey called all his party together, still riding onward. - -"Which is it, boys," he cried, "fight or flight? The first may be fatal -to our mission, the second may fail." - -Then the peddler spake— - -"If I may venture my advice, gentlemen, you will neither fight nor fly, -at least until you know who these men are. A hundred yards ahead there -is a deep dell overhung with trees. Under their shelter you may let this -band of cavalry pass on, after you have seen them you may take better -counsel as to your action." - -"Right!" cried Geoffrey; and in a few moments they reached, under the -peddler's direction, the place of temporary safety. - -They had not long to wait. In two or three minutes a band of from twenty -to thirty schwartzreiters came thundering on. - -"How did they know of our journey?" whispered Ralph. - -"Remember the drunken camp follower ere we left the camp?" replied -Geoffrey. "I knew he was a spy." - -They had not been perceived in the thick shades of the trees—but what -now? It was equally dangerous to advance or retire. - -It was at this dread and critical moment that a wonderful intervention -came. There arose in the stillness of the night a great sound like the -shock of battle or the fall of an avalanche. - -"Oh, God! it is the barricade!" cried the peddler; "I passed it half-an- -hour ago." - -"What barricade?" said Geoffrey eagerly. - -"The 'gueux' have filled the road with huge stones, gathered from the -quarry hard by, it is their favourite trap to catch night travellers, -and the reiters have fallen into it." - -"And a moment more _we_ should have fallen into it," cried Geoffrey. - -"No," said the peddler, "for I was about to tell you of it. But, hark! -the 'gueux' are attacking the fallen reiters." - -"Come," cried Geoffrey, "we must see what is passing; keep close -together, make no noise. If any reiter escapes from the mêlée cut him -down with your swords, or we shall be discovered." - -The "gueux" possessed guns and fowling-pieces, and now they were pouring -in a desultory fire upon the confused mass of fallen men around the -barricade. There seemed to be hundreds of wild figures gathering to the -scene of conflict, and fresh bodies of them were pouring from the woods. - -Then a hand-to-hand fight ensued, so fierce in character that it was a -combat of fiends rather than of men. No quarter was asked or given, it -was a fight to the death. - -Soon it was evident that the reiters were being overpowered, -notwithstanding their superiority in equipment and discipline. Their -foes were twenty to one, and many of the Germans were lying in a -helpless mass of men and horses amid the great quarry stones. Their -battle-cries grew feebler and feebler; Geoffrey saw that the end would -soon come. - -"But what then?" thought Geoffrey anxiously. - -The "gueux" would be as dangerous to them as to the reiters, they would -make no distinction between English and Germans, all fought alike for -their detested enemy King Philip. - -Once again the peddler intervened, as he sat behind Geoffrey. - -"My lord, my lord," he said in an agitated voice, "we must be gone, or -we shall likewise perish." - -"We cannot pass the gueux," said Geoffrey, "and I cannot return to the -camp; what third course is there?" - - [Illustration: "HERE IS THE ENTRANCE INTO THE WOODS."] - -"My lord," said the man, "you saved my life, will you trust yours to me? -I know every pathway of these woods, I can take you by a safe road to -Busigney if you will take me as your guide; the bypath enters the woods -just below here, and once at Busigney you are on the main road again." - -For a minute Geoffrey consulted with his comrades, then he turned to the -peddler. - -"You seem to be an honest man, we will trust you," he said. "Lead on, we -accept your services as guide." - -The party retraced their steps for about a hundred yards. - -"Here is the entrance into the woods," said the peddler, as a leafy -avenue dimly disclosed itself on the left side of the road. - -They turned into it, and now they were gently and noiselessly traversing -the woods by a smoothly turfed trackway. - -"To the right," cried the peddler, as they came to a crossway, and -Geoffrey perceived that they were now riding in a parallel track to the -road they had quitted. - -The roar of battle had quieted down, but the wind brought to their ears -the exultant shouts of the gueux, the victors in the deadly strife. - -From time to time some dark body would rush across the track or dive -into the forest, once indeed a musket-shot was fired at them randomly. -These were marauders hastening to the scene of conflict, eager to -participate in the spoils. - -"We must ride quicker," said Geoffrey; "soon the gueux will know of our -presence and we shall be pursued." - -"Beware," said the peddler in reply, "sometimes there are fallen trees -across the track. We rejoin the main road in a few minutes." - -Geoffrey saw the wisdom of this advice, and they rode stealthily -forward. - -Presently they emerged into a clearing and, to their joy, saw the great -military road in front of them. Once upon it they put their horses to -their fullest speed, there were no further barricades to dread, the -peddler told them. - -In half-an-hour they were in the little town of Busigney, a town held to -be neutral by both the contending armies, for it was the patrimony of -Mary the Duchess of Burgundy, now the Regent of the Netherlands for -Philip. In a few minutes they had drawn up in front of a little hotel, -"L'Eperon d'Or," and the peddler, dismounting, entered the house. He -quickly returned, accompanied by the "maitre d'hotel." - -"Here, my lord," he said to Geoffrey, "you can refresh your horses and -yourselves also, if you need it, yet I urge you to remember that your -foes are near, therefore you may not tarry long." - -"We owe you a thousand thanks," said Geoffrey. "Will you not take -refreshment with us?" - -"Nay, my lord, it is well-nigh midnight, and I must seek a chirurgeon -this night to set my wounded hand in order." - -"Ah! I had forgotten your grievous hurt," said Geoffrey. "You are a -brave and gallant man, Mr. Peddler, may I not add a little golden salve -to the remedy?" and he produced his purse. - -"Nay, nay, my lord," said the man quickly, "you have already given me my -reward, it was a life for a life!" - -And forthwith he left them. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XIV - - BRUSSELS, ANTWERP, CALAIS - - -The horsemen needed but little time wherein to refresh themselves and -their horses. The aubergiste, at Geoffrey's command, brought forth his -best wine for the gentlemen, and his ostlers produced corn and water for -the horses. In half-an-hour the order to remount was given, and soon the -party was trotting quietly through the cobbled streets of Busigney. - -Their next halting-place would be Mons; in two hours' time they would be -out of French territory. - -Clear of the town they put their horses to a hand-gallop, and once more -the devastation of war became evident. All was ruin and desolation in -this once fertile region, there seemed to be nothing left by the cruel -marauding hands of men! - -The villages and hamlets still smouldered, and the air was reeking with -pungent smoke; but there were no inhabitants, all had fled from the -neighbourhood of the great military highway. - -Yet Geoffrey and his companions relaxed nothing of their keen vigilance. -Robin rode ahead and Hal in the rear as before. - -On, on, through the night! - -The stars shone brilliantly, not a cloud flecked the sky. Ill-omened -blotches of red light on the horizon marked where the gueux were still -at their evil work, but even these grew fewer as the small hours of the -morning passed and the travellers were reaching Flemish territory. - -All at once the advance-guard dropped back upon them. He reported that a -crowd of men were approaching; they were not in military order, but they -were occupying the whole road. - -Geoffrey signalled to the rear-guard to join them, and a rapid -consultation ensued. Finally, Geoffrey ordered the three lads to fall in -behind the gentlemen; then with drawn swords all advanced at slow pace -towards the oncoming mob. Many of these men carried pine-knot torches, -and by their flickering and lurid light it could be seen that they were -rudely armed peasantry—scythes, pitchforks and huge clubs were their -chief weapons, and these they waved aloft with wild cries of defiance. -The three young soldiers felt a true pity for these homeless and -houseless men, and Geoffrey resolved to win his way through them by -expostulation, if it were possible. - -Reining up his steed he waited till the gueux were close at hand, then -he thundered out— - -"Halt there, if you value your lives!" - -The men uttered derisive cries—yet they halted. - -"Why do you obstruct the King's highway? make way, or you will rue the -day when you strove to stop six heavily-armed men." - -Their leader stepped to the front. - -"You are six in number, are you," he cried, "and we are ten to one -against you! Dismount from your horses, give them up to us and we will -let you pass," he continued. - -"Fools!" cried Geoffrey angrily; "do you think to frighten soldiers with -your base threats? Yet I know that you are poor and starving, and I -would not willingly put you to the sword. Hear me! On the word of a -gentleman I promise you that if you make way for us I will scatter five -gold pieces among you. Now answer me, and that quickly!" - -For a moment the men drew together to consider the offer. But the very -mention of "gold pieces" aroused their base passions and cupidity; -perhaps they thought that fear dictated the generous offer. Then the -leader cried out— - -"We will have your gold and your horses too; dismount and we promise you -your lives." - -Geoffrey turned rapidly to his men. - -"Two abreast," he cried; "are you ready? Charge!" - -Then they dug their spurs into their horses' flanks and, like a -thunderbolt, they hurled themselves into the midst of the seething mob, -with a wild British cheer! Cutting, slashing, hewing, stabbing, the six -trained and disciplined soldiers passed through their foes as if they -had been but wax dolls or stuffed effigies. In less than a minute they -had won their way, and the path through which they had passed was strewn -with the dead and dying. - -Then Geoffrey cried "Halt!" - -The gueux were a hundred yards behind them, and they showed no -inclination to pursue. - -"Is any man hurt?" cried Geoffrey to his party. - -Two lads answered— - -"Only a little blood-letting, sir." - -"Then in God's name let us ride forward," cried Geoffrey: "we have -punished those poor wretches sufficiently; but they would have it, -Heaven pity them!" - -On, on once more into the night. - -The morn was breaking, streaks of grey light quivered in the sky and the -stars were losing their brilliance. They were approaching the confines -of Flanders, and as the dawn deepened into day the watch-towers of -Maubeuge came in sight. It was a frontier town, and in times of peace -its barriers would have been kept by an armed force, not to be passed -till all dues and customs had been paid, and all questions fully -answered. - -As the armed party appeared in view the shrill voice of a trumpet rang -out, and men were to be seen hurrying to their places of observation. -But the sight of six men in uniform, fully armed, seemed to render all -formalities unnecessary, and no resistance to their passage was made as -the party rode through the town making no halt in it. - -The sun was rising in great splendour; it shone upon a scene that -cheered the hearts of the horsemen. All was bright and peaceful, the -fields were yellow with corn and the reapers were everywhere at work. - -"Oh, blessed peace!" said William to Ralph; "who would not sigh for the -time when wars should be no more, when men shall 'beat their swords into -ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks'!" - -They rode more gently now, for their gallant steeds were beginning to -flag. At mid-day the towers and spires of Mons came into sight and the -splendid tracery of the glorious Cathedral of St. Wandru, as it -displayed itself against a sky of opal blue, filled them with -admiration. - -Reaching the Grande Place, they halted in front of the Hôtel de la -Couronne, and the weary travellers dismounted. They, as well as their -horses, needed repose, and Geoffrey decreed a respite of three hours. - - -------------- - -All too soon Geoffrey aroused his comrades, who had both dined and slept -after they had seen carefully that the needs of their horses had -received attention. - -"To horse, to horse," cried Geoffrey: "we must be in Brussels ere -nightfall." - -Once more they were in the saddle, and the bells of the cathedral tolled -the hour of three as they rode across the bridge of the river Trouille, -fresh and reinvigorated. Their horses had been well cared for, and they -seemed to share the exhilaration of their riders. - -On through the pleasant plains of Flanders, through Jubise, Nivelles, -Brise-le-Compte, and many another small town. They sang, they talked to -their horses and caressed them, and the noble animals responded to their -efforts as they cantered forwards. - -Yet night was falling ere the noble town of Brussels was reached; the -sweet-toned bells of the great Cathedral, St. Gudule, were chiming, and -presently they announced the hour—it was eight o'clock. - -The party halted in the Grande Place under the shadow of the splendid -Hôtel de Ville, and Geoffrey quickly found a comfortable hotel where -they could stable their horses and refresh themselves. - -Then he wended his way to the burgomaster's house, that he might lodge -his demand for six fresh horses "for the King's service." He encountered -no difficulties, and this business being accomplished he rejoined his -companions at the Hôtel de Flandres. - -The horses were ordered for midnight, when they would begin the last -stage of their long ride; they would reach Antwerp by daybreak, if all -went well. They had four hours for rest and refreshment, yet, when they -had dined, and ere they snatched an hour's sleep, the gentlemen of the -party strolled for a brief space in the Grande Place. It was full of -gaily-dressed citizens; and great lanterns, suspended on poles at -intervals, cast a bright light upon the animated scene. - -Here were gallant young Spanish officers, belonging to the garrison of -the city, attracting the eyes of all beholders by the glitter of their -uniforms and the easy hauteur with which they moved among the people. - -There were civic dignitaries in rich flowing robes, escorting their -wives and daughters to an entertainment which was being given that night -by Margaret, Duchess of Parma, the King's half-sister. She was paying a -brief visit to the city, where she had spent her childhood; she was soon -to become the Regent of the Netherlands. - -There were groups of monks in the many-coloured robes of their Orders, -Black Dominicans, White Augustinians and Brown Benedictines. - -All sorts and conditions of men were there, and the young Englishmen -watched them with keen interest. So novel a scene had they never -witnessed, nor so lovely a house as the "Maison du Roi," which blazed -with light in all its windows on the eastern side of the Place. - -Ah, what a house that was! Richly sculptured, ornamented with armorial -bearings, which glittered with crimson and gold; so splendid that it was -sometimes called "The Golden House." It was in front of that very house -that, eleven years later, twenty-five Flemish nobles passed to their -doom on the scaffold—it was in the spring of 1568. Two months later -Counts Egmont and Horn were led forth from that gorgeous abode to perish -under the headsman's axe. - -There was no prophetic vision to foretell these dread things; and that -night, as the young Englishmen gazed upon it in all its sumptuous -beauty, the wildest imagination would not have dreamt of so tragic a -thing. - -The eyes of the young men lingered on these scenes of fascination, and, -for a time, they lost the feeling of weariness and fatigue. - -"Come, boys," cried Geoffrey, as he laid his hands on their shoulders, -"this will not do! The clocks are chiming for the ninth hour, and at -twelve we have to be in the saddle." - -So they retraced their steps to the Hôtel de Flandres and soon "fell on -sleep," perhaps to dream of gallant courtiers, stout burghers, of civic -dignitaries and the fair ladies of the wondrous city of Brussels. - - -------------- - -The hour of midnight had come, and in the spacious stable-yard of the -hotel six fine Flemish horses, fully harnessed for military service, -awaited their riders. Nor had they long to wait. - -Scarce had the sound of the chiming bells died down than the six -horsemen made their appearance. Again was a minute examination made of -every part of the equipment, again the men renewed the priming of their -pistols and shook their sword-belts into position. - -"Are you all ready?" cried Geoffrey, when all was finished. And in -response to the "Aye, aye, sir," of the men, the word of command came— - -"Then mount; we ride in pairs till we are clear of the city, then as -before: Robin in front and Hal behind." - -Quietly they rode through the dimly-lit streets and passed over the -river Senne into the open country. They were on a good road now (the -ancient Roman "street"), which led straight away to Antwerp, through -Mechlin, where they would make their first halt. - -They were splendidly mounted and their horses broke into an easy canter, -tossing their long manes and snorting, as if with joy. Through verdant -plains, through teeming cornfields, through villages and small towns, -onwards they galloped till the lights of Mechlin came in sight. -Presently they were riding gently through the ancient town, and the -carillon in the lofty belfry of St. Rombaut rang out the hour of two as -they drew rein in the Grande Place. - -The city watchmen gathered round them, eager to do them service as soon -as Geoffrey had informed them that he rode on the King's business. Corn -and water were quickly found for the horses, wine from some secret store -for the men (the hotels were fast locked for the night), for all of -which things Geoffrey paid with free hand. Thus half-an-hour was spent, -then the horsemen remounted their steeds and they cantered gaily out of -the town. - -"Heigh ho, for Antwerp, our last stage!" cried Geoffrey, as they rode -out into the darkness. - -So fresh were their horses that they rode now at full gallop, and the -country seemed to fly by them. A grey light was tingeing the eastern -horizon as they drew near Antwerp, the dawn had begun as they rode up to -the watch-towers of the fortified town. - -Their approach had been signalled by trumpet blasts, and a strong body -of town-guards awaited them. The horsemen drew up as the captain of the -guard approached them, and to him Geoffrey handed his papers as he said— - -"On the King's service!" - -Everything was _en règle_, and in a few moments the great gates were -opened and the party entered Antwerp and proceeded direct to the Quai. - -Antwerp was waking up, and already crowds of men were making their way -to the great dockyard of the city. Sailors of many nationalities were -proceeding to their ships, which lay at anchor on the broad waters of -the noble river Scheldt. - -Lord Clinton had provided Geoffrey with a "King's mandate" addressed to -the dock-master, and the party soon found their way to that -functionary's official residence. - -Herr Van Luhys, the worthy dock-master, had not yet opened his doors to -the outside world, and the sleepy watchman gazed with dismay at the six -horsemen who, dismounted, stood at the door asking for immediate -audience. It was not till Geoffrey had slipped a doubloon into the man's -hand that he consented to awake his master and to convey a message to -him. - -But the words "On the King's Service" soon brought the dock-master into -the hall, where the three Englishmen awaited him. Geoffrey handed the -King's mandate to him, at the sight of which document Herr Van Luhys -bowed low and asked his early visitors to be seated, while he read the -mandate. - -The effect was immediate. - -"I am the King's servant and loyal subject," he said: "his commands -shall be obeyed. I am bidden to find you immediate means of reaching -Calais, and to see that your horses are returned to the Burgomaster of -Brussels. By Heaven's good providence the _Santa Trinadad_, a swift -King's ship, is in the harbour, and she sails in an hour's time. I will -send word to the captain at once, that six gentlemen are coming on board -his ship, and that he is to await your presence before he lifts anchor. -Meanwhile, gentlemen, you will break your fast with me, I trust, if you -will do me so great an honour." - -Geoffrey bowed courteously, and very thankfully accepted the dock- -master's offers of service and breakfast. They were weary, and their -long ride had made them hungry: an hour could not be spent more -profitably than at Herr Van der Luhys's breakfast table. - -Their horses were sent under the care of grooms, hastily summoned, to -the stables, and men-servants began in hot haste to prepare a meal for -the dock-master's guests. - -A great table stood in the centre of the hall: soon it was covered with -a fair white cloth, and fish, flesh and fowl were produced and set out -as if by magic. The honest Dutchman's larder was evidently well stocked -and his cellar was equally good, for in a trice curious bottles of -spirits and tall flasks, full of wine, were brought forth. - -Van Luhys sat at table with his guests, and when the claims of hunger -had been somewhat appeased he plied them with questions. He would fain -know all about the battle and siege of St. Quentin; what were the King's -plans of campaign; where was the Duke of Guise's army; where was De -Nevers; what great reward was to be given to their noble compatriot -Count Egmont, and many other like things! And so an hour rapidly passed, -so quickly indeed that a message from the Captain of the _Santa -Trinadad_ came to them almost as a surprise. - -"The tide was falling, the gentlemen should come aboard as quickly as -possible." - -Geoffrey would have made his adieux, but the hospitable Van Luhys -insisted on seeing his guests safely on board the ship; moreover, he -wished to introduce them to his honourable friend Captain Don Gonzaga. - -So the party rose from table and made their way through the docks, now -become a scene of great activity. No town in Europe possessed a finer -harbour than Antwerp, and its vast fortifications were maintained with -zealous care: a garrison of five thousand Spaniards defended them. - -A walk of a few minutes brought them to the water-side, where the war- -ship floated at anchor. She was a noble vessel, carrying forty-five -guns, though many of them were of small calibre. Her decks were crowded -with sailors, among whom Geoffrey noted fifty men-at-arms, wearing -glittering cuirasses and morions and armed with arquebuses and swords. -Many sailors had gone aloft, awaiting the signal to unfurl the sails and -fling out the royal standard of Spain. - -As the party stepped on board, headed by the dock-master, Captain -Gonzaga advanced to meet them. He was a young Castilian noble of purest -blood and long descent, and his manners, though courteous, were tinged -with a certain hauteur. - -"To what happy circumstances am I to attribute the honour of the company -of these gentlemen?" he said, with a ceremonious bow towards them. - -"I have the 'King's mandate,' honourable Captain, to see that they are -conveyed to Calais with no delay," said Herr Van der Luhys. - -"I would fain see the 'mandate,'" replied Don Gonzaga. - -The dock-master bridled up somewhat. - -"It is addressed to me," he said, "but I have it with me and you are -welcome to see it;" and therewith he handed the document to the -punctilious Captain, who hastily perused it. - -As he read the names of the three gentlemen therein set forth, he -started as he saw that of Geoffrey de Fynes, and his manner of bearing -underwent a sudden change. - -"Which of you gentlemen is Mr. Geoffrey de Fynes?" he inquired. - -Geoffrey bowed slightly in reply. - -"Of Herstmonceux in the County of Sussex?" inquired the Captain. - -"My father was Baron Dacres of Herstmonceux", said Geoffrey. - -"I welcome you on board my ship," said Don Gonzaga warmly, as he held -out his hand, which Geoffrey took courteously. "My father was the -Spanish Ambassador at the Court of King Henry the Eighth," continued the -Captain, "and your father, Baron Dacres, was his bosom friend; I venture -to hope that a like bond may unite their sons! Now come to my cabin, -gentlemen, for in a few minutes we start for Calais." - -Then they bade farewell to the worthy Herr Van der Luhys and followed -Gonzaga to his cabin. It was the "state room" of the ship, luxuriously -furnished. - -"Make this cabin your own, gentlemen, while you do me the honour of -remaining on the _Santa Trinadad_," said the Captain. "And now I must -hasten on deck," he continued; "we are just moving out," and with a bow -he left them. - -It was not long before the Englishmen ascended to the deck, eager to see -the country through which they were passing. The sun was shining -brightly on the broad, deep waters of the Scheldt as the noble ship -slowly threaded its way out of the crowded port of Antwerp. Soon the -majestic city faded out of sight, and on each side of the river a flat -and somewhat desolate landscape extended itself. - -There were broad meadows, reclaimed from the sea, on which great droves -of oxen were pastured; there were innumerable wind-mills and quaint -Dutch farm-houses. Occasionally a village came in sight with a metal- -sheathed spire rising from its midst. Soon Flushing was reached, the -pilot was dropped and the vessel was in the open sea, under full sail. - -At mid-day dinner was served in the great mess-room, and Don Gonzaga -introduced his guests to the officers of the ship. - -Spain was the rival with England for the sovereignty of the sea, and, as -a rule, there was little love lost between the sailors of the two -nations. But now, taking their cue from their young Captain, the Spanish -officers vied in showing hospitality to their English guests. As the -banquet, for it really deserved the name, came to a close and the four -young men were left alone, Gonzaga turned to Geoffrey, who sat on his -right hand, and said— - -"Shall I tell you how my father first met Lord Dacres? He often told the -tale to me." - -And on Geoffrey's eager acquiescence, he proceeded to say— - -"It was in the spring of 1538, and my father was summoned to a banquet -at the King's Palace at Greenwich. As he crossed Blackheath on foot, -accompanied by a small band of servants, he was attacked by a strong -body of highwaymen. A desperate fight ensued, and one by one all my -fathers servants fell, and he alone was left, fighting desperately for -his life with his back against a stone wall. The assassins knew him, and -perhaps they were anxious to take him alive and so claim a great ransom. -Or perhaps his skill with the rapier saved him, for he was thought to be -the finest swordsman of Spain. His foes called on him to surrender, but -they called in vain, though he was sorely wounded—a Gonzaga dies but -never surrenders! - -"A few minutes more and the tragedy would have been complete, for my -father was growing faint with loss of blood. But the noise of the strife -was heard afar, and suddenly help came. With a shout of 'Dacres to the -rescue,' six stout Sussex men attacked the highwaymen in the rear, and -they took to flight. Then your noble father, Lord Dacres, bound up -Gonzaga's wounds, and his men bore him to Greenwich Palace. His wounds -were not serious, and in a few weeks' time he had quite recovered from -them. And that was the beginning of a firm friendship between our -fathers, only too soon to end by the tragic event which all good men -will ever deplore." - -Geoffrey was deeply moved as he grasped Don Gonzaga's proffered hand and -shook it warmly. - -"I was but a babe," he said, "when my father perished at Tyburn, but I -love his revered memory, and my one hope in life, above all others, is -to see his honour vindicated!" - -"May that day soon come!" said Gonzaga. - -Then the four young men returned to the deck, and at the request of the -Englishmen the Captain took them all over the war-ship, and afterwards -put the crew and the men-at-arms through a smart drill, in which the -wonderful efficiency of the men excited the Englishmen's admiration. - - -------------- - -The voyage was drawing to an end. Ostend and Dunkirk had been passed, -and as evening fell Calais came in sight. - -At eight o'clock the ship dropped her anchor in front of the town, -firing a salute in honour of the flag of St. George, which floated on -the bastion. Then a boat was lowered, and, ere taking their departure, -the Englishmen took an affectionate farewell of their new friend. - -"We shall meet again," said Gonzaga. - -"At Herstmonceux, I hope," replied Geoffrey, as they shook hands once -more. - -Half-an-hour later the young men were in Calais, and the _Santa -Trinadad_ pursued her journey to Spain, whither she was bound. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XV - - CALAIS - - -Calais was a petty fishing village in the tenth century, and its first -appearance in the annals of history was when Baldwin the Fourth, Count -of Flanders, took it under his fostering care and its earliest -fortifications were built. - -Perceiving its natural advantages, Philip of France, Count of Boulogne, -took serious steps for its defence. A citadel was built, forts were -erected, a lofty watch-tower was constructed on the bastion fronting the -sea, which for centuries was the chief light-house of Calais. The town -was encircled by strong walls, deep moats were constructed, every art -known to the engineers of that age was employed, and the town was -thought to be impregnable. - -King Edward the Third captured it after the great battle of Crécy, and -it took that warlike monarch eleven months ere he became master of the -town, chiefly aided by the grim necessities of famine. It became an -English town, and for two hundred years it had resisted the repeated -efforts of France to reconquer it. The English rebuilt the cathedral of -Notre Dame, whose lofty tower served as a landmark for sailors. When the -sovereigns of England and France met on the "Field of the Cloth of -Gold," much money was spent on the town by the English. - -Wolsey's keen eye marked the decrepitude of its walls, and he spent -twenty thousand crowns in strengthening them. Yet vague rumours had -lately gone abroad that its fortifications were tottering to a fall, -undermined by the action of the sea; that the ancient artillery which -defended its walls was but a vain show, and that its garrison of eight -hundred men was not only inadequate, but it was untrustworthy from a -military point of view. It had become a kind of depôt for old soldiers, -ill watch was kept, and loose discipline was maintained. - -Alarmed by the reports which the Bishop of Acqs had conveyed to the -French Government (all of which were known by him), Philip took serious -alarm. In hot haste he laid these matters before the English Government, -only to find his reports to be received with the utmost incredulity. The -two hundred years of almost quiet possession had begotten a fatal sense -of security on the part of the English. - -Again Philip sent to Cardinal Pole, who was the Queen's chief adviser, -offering to garrison Calais with Spaniards at his own expense; but this -offer was received coldly by the English Government, whose suspicion of -the Spaniard, and of Philip himself especially, reigned supreme. Then -Philip suggested a greatly increased garrison, of which one half should -be English and the other Spanish. The offer was refused. - -It was under these circumstances that the King had sent Geoffrey, -William and Ralph to make a secret inspection of the town and its -garrison. Their report was to be given to Cardinal Pole himself. Philip -knew that these three young Englishmen were favourably known to the -Cardinal, and that his eminence would feel sure that their testimony -would be disinterested and reliable. - -It was under these circumstances that Geoffrey and his companions landed -at Calais on a fine September evening in the year 1557. The approach of -their boat had been perceived from the watch-tower, and as it grated on -the shore a company of armed men waited to receive them. The uniforms of -the young men gave assurance to the captain of the guard, he recognized -the blue accoutrements of the English contingent, now serving with King -Philip. It was therefore with the utmost courtesy and with military -salute that Captain Lascelles advanced towards the visitors and asked to -be allowed to inspect their papers. - -"We come from St. Quentin as direct envoys from the King to Lord -Wentworth, the Governor of Calais," replied Geoffrey. "May we ask you to -conduct us to him?" he continued. - -"Whom have I the honour to address?" inquired the Captain. - -"Geoffrey de Fynes, William Jefferay, Ralph Jefferay, aides-de-camp to -Lord Clinton, second in command of the English contingent serving in -France," replied Geoffrey. - -Captain Lascelles bowed low. - -"I will conduct you to the Governor's lodgings in the citadel -forthwith," he replied; "but I fear you will not see Lord Wentworth to- -night, he is entertaining the officers of the garrison to supper." - -"We thank you for your courtesy, sir," replied Geoffrey; and the Captain -leading the way the party ascended to the citadel which overlooked the -little town. - -Through narrow, ill-paved streets, dimly lit, they proceeded in silence -till the plateau was reached which fronted the gloomy old citadel. - -The Captain gave the password at the gates, then he called for Lord -Wentworth's major-domo, with whom he held a brief consultation apart. -Then turning to Geoffrey, he said— - -"The Castle is very full of guests to-night, yet the major-domo can give -you 'soldiers' quarters' if you will deign to accept so humble a -lodging." - -"We are soldiers," replied Geoffrey cheerfully, "we ask for nothing -better." - -Forthwith the official led them through a long vaulted passage, lit with -oil lamps, from which they emerged into a large low vaulted room, -roughly but sufficiently furnished with tables and wooden benches. A -great fire-place occupied one end of the room, and a quantity of -firewood lay on the hearth waiting to be kindled. - -Three stone-mullioned windows gave light and air, and from them the -twinkling lights of the town could be perceived as it stretched itself -out below them. Cressets hung from the walls, and into one of them the -major-domo thrust the blazing torch he had been carrying. - -"By my faith I am sorry to give you so poor a lodging," said Captain -Lascelles; "but to-morrow the major-domo will be able to do something -better for you. Beyond this room there lies another exactly like it, but -furnished with truckle-beds, which shall be provided with fresh and -clean linen and blankets for you. And now, gentlemen," he continued, -"may I suggest that you come to my quarters in the Castle, which, poor -as they are, present a few more comforts than this cold stone room. -Meanwhile, your varlets can light your fires and help the major-domo to -lay your supper—what say you?" - -The offer was so kindly made and evidently so well meant, that Geoffrey -at once answered— - -"Most willingly, sir, and we are greatly your debtors. Meanwhile," he -added, "I have a letter from Lord Clinton to the Governor, will you -kindly see that it reaches his hand to-night; the royal mandate from -King Philip I must deliver to his Lordship myself." - -"It shall be done," said Captain Lascelles; "and now, if it please you, -I beg you to follow me." - -A few steps brought them to the courtyard, and crossing it the Captain -led the way to a flight of stone steps on the southern side. Ascending -these the party found themselves in front of a strong, heavy door, on -which Captain Lascelles rapped loudly. - -A soldier speedily answered the summons and led the way to his master's -quarters, holding aloft a flaming torch. It was a stone-built room, even -the floor was stone, like every other chamber in that ancient citadel, -but in every other respect it was luxuriously furnished. Glittering -designs in daggers and poniards of every age adorned the walls, which -were covered with rich tapestries, soft couches and divans invited to -repose, curiously carved tables and chairs testified to the taste and -elegance of the young Captain of the guard. - -"Be seated, gentlemen," cried Lascelles, as he sounded a gong and bade -his servants bring wine and refreshment. - -"But are we not keeping you from the Governor's hospitable table?" said -Geoffrey, as the sounds of arriving guests ascended from the courtyard. - -"Nay," said the Captain, with a laugh; "I am on duty to-night." - -"Then, in that case, I pray that you will not let us burden you with our -company," replied Geoffrey. - -"I am free for an hour," replied Lascelles; "De Courcy, my lieutenant, -takes my place." - -So they sat down while rich wines were being poured into silver goblets -and toasts were drunk. Lascelles would fain know all the recent military -news from St. Quentin, of which the world knew little as yet. He was -eager to hear of the King's present position and his schemes for the -future. On many such points Geoffrey was able and willing to give -information; on others he preserved a discreet silence, as became a -King's envoy sent on a secret mission. - -Thus an hour flew rapidly by, and then Geoffrey, pleading fatigue, -obtained his host's permission to withdraw to the quarters assigned to -them. There they found bright fires burning, and a substantial meal had -been provided by the major-domo, with wines for the gentlemen and small- -beer for the varlets. - -The evening was speeding on, and the Englishmen were about to retire to -their truckle-beds, when an unlooked-for intervention occurred. There -was a knock at the door, then it was thrown open and a young aide-de- -camp, richly dressed, stepped into the room with the words— - -"May it please you, gentlemen, his Excellency the Governor!" and -therewith the Earl of Wentworth appeared on the threshold. - -He was splendidly dressed, as became a great noble. He had left his -guests for a brief space, and so was in all the rich attire of the -banqueting-room. Bowing courteously to the young men, he besought them -to take their seats, as he sat down on one of the rough chairs of the -guard-room. Turning to his aide-de-camp the Governor said— - -"Descend to the courtyard and wait there for me, take with you the three -grooms, and let no man disturb us." - -The envoys were left alone with the Earl. - -Lord Wentworth was an elderly man of grave and even majestic mien. As -"Lord of the Marches" he had seen much service in the Border warfare -between England and Scotland; he had only recently been appointed to the -Governorship of Calais. In quiet and easy tones he addressed the envoys. - -"Lord Clinton's letter has just reached my hands," he said, "and in it -he tells me that you are the bearers of a royal mandate for me from King -Philip. He tells me that the matter is urgent, and that must be my -excuse for disturbing you at this late hour of the night. I crave your -pardon therein. I shall be glad to read the mandate ere I retire to -rest." - -Geoffrey at once arose, bowed low, and presented the royal document. - -"I thank you, young sir," said the Earl. "To-morrow morning at nine -o'clock I ask your company to breakfast, there is much that you can tell -me which I am very desirous to hear, for Lord Clinton tells me that you -come direct from St. Quentin. And now I will not detain you from your -rest, you have travelled far and must needs be fatigued. And so good- -night, gentlemen!" - -And therewith the Earl, attended by Geoffrey, who carried a torch, -descended to the courtyard. Ere the Governor quitted his young -companion, he said— - -"I gather from Lord Clinton's letter that one of you three gentlemen is -Geoffrey de Fynes—are you he?" - -"Yes, your Lordship," replied Geoffrey. - -"Then you are of the family of the 'Dacres of the South,' I presume," -said the Earl. "I have known the 'Dacres of the North' all my life and I -have been honoured by their friendship." - -Then the Earl shook hands warmly with Geoffrey. - -"I am glad to know you, sir, and to welcome you to this town of Calais, -of which your grandfather was Governor in the famous year of 'The Field -of the Cloth of Gold,' unless I err?" - -Geoffrey bowed acquiescence, and the interview came to an end. - -Soon the six weary travellers sought their truckle-beds and found solace -in sleep. - - -------------- - -The morning had come, the Earl and his three young guests had -breakfasted in the great hall of the Castle. The servants had been -dismissed and the gentlemen sat alone. - -"Last night," said the Earl to them, "I read King Philip's letter, and I -gather from it that he wishes me to allow you three gentlemen to make a -thorough, but informal, inspection of the fortifications and the -garrison of Calais. You will carry your report to Cardinal Pole, and the -King earnestly hopes that the English Government will remedy whatsoever -may be lacking here. His Majesty's wishes are commands to me, and they -shall be willingly obeyed. Indeed, I am heartily glad to have this new -opportunity of laying our needs before the Government, to whom I have -written many letters and sent many messengers in vain. The King is -rightly informed respecting the condition of matters here; it is true we -need more men, more guns, and a greater supply of ammunition, and our -walls are crumbling into ruin in many important points. Yet I do not -fear any foe, nor do I believe that Calais can fall. I held Berwick -Castle against all the power of Scotland, with a smaller garrison and -with poorer means of defence! - -"But now we will go forth and you shall see for yourselves how matters -stand with us. First, we will inspect the Castle itself, and I will show -you our magazines. And we go unattended, remembering that your mission -is a secret one. The garrison is being drilled in the great courtyard at -this moment. You shall see the men under arms." - -The Governor had ordered a full muster this morning, and the courtyard -presented a scene full of life and animation when the whole garrison -presented arms as the Earl and his guests made their appearance. - -The envoys passed between the lines and closely inspected the men and -their equipment. The review was soon completed, and the men went to -their quarters with a great beating of drums and blowing of trumpets. - -"What think you of them?" asked the Governor, as he and his guests moved -on to the bastions. - -The envoys consulted together for a brief space, and then Geoffrey, as -spokesman, gave their opinion. - -"The men were gallant English soldiers, but they were chiefly old men, -some of them surely past the usual age for men on service. Their weapons -were older still, and the arquebusiers were astonishingly few in -number," such was their verdict. - -The Governor sighed as he admitted that the criticism was just, and he -now proceeded to lead the party to the Castle wall. - -Many of the great guns were so old that it would be dangerous to use -them; one wondrous piece of artillery dated back to the days of Crécy. - -"But others are on their way hither," the Governor explained. "They were -at Dover waiting for shipment," according to his latest information. - -Then a circuit of the fortifications was made, and it was all too -evident that many towers were crumbling to ruin. - -Later in the day the Governor took his guests to the outer walls of the -town, the bulwarks of Froyton and Neslé were visited, Newhaven Bridge -(as it was somewhat curiously named) was traversed, and they inspected -the Risbank and the great moats. These moats formed a vital point in the -defence of Calais, should the day of trial come, yet were so ill cared -for that some were dry, and in others the water was so shallow that -great mudbanks displayed themselves in their midst. - -It was with saddened hearts that the envoys returned to the Castle, -having inspected the sea walls and the surrounding country as far as -Guisnes and Hames. - - -------------- - -The night had fallen, the great gates of the Castle were closed and the -watches were set. - -The envoys were the guests of the Governor, and they sat at supper in -the great hall. This was the noblest room in the Castle, it had been -built by King Henry the Fifth, and it was a worthy trophy of the Warrior -King. Its lofty roof towered above them, dimly seen by the light of the -great lanterns which hung upon the walls. On festive nights the iron -cressets, suspended at intervals between the lanterns, were filled with -blazing torches, and over the "high table" hung handsome candelabra, -which on rare occasions glittered with the light of hundreds of wax -candles. But this was a "low night," and the daïs was illuminated by -lanterns only. - -"So to-morrow you leave us," said the Governor, as the supper being -finished they sat over their wine. "I am sorry that you cannot prolong -your stay, for I would fain have seen more of you, but I know it is -impossible. I will not ask you aught respecting your report to the -Cardinal, but I can divine what it will be. You tell me that the English -contingent are clamouring for their return home: ask him to send me but -a thousand of those gallant men and I will pledge my honour that in -Calais the flag of St. George will never give place to the lilies of -France! But above all things let the help, whatever it may be, come -quickly. I have forgotten what little Latin I ever knew, but there is an -old tag which I learnt at Carlisle Grammar School which dwells in my -memory: _Bis dat qui cito dat!_" - -The young men were much moved as the veteran soldier talked. - -"God grant that the Cardinal may listen to us, and that the Government -will heed him," said Ralph. - -"But the Cardinal _is_ the Government, for at this moment he rules -supreme in the council, and the Queen relies implicitly upon his -advice," replied the Governor. "Persuade him and the thing is -accomplished. Calais will stand for another two hundred years as the -brightest gem in the English crown—Heaven grant it!" - -"But meanwhile," interposed Ralph again, "meanwhile, _if Guise come_?" - -"Our latest advice is that Guise will _not_ come," answered the -Governor; "he has joined De Nevers and their combined armies are moving -into Picardy: all men say that France will make a desperate effort to -reconquer St. Quentin—and will make it soon." - -"It is the unexpected which happens," said Geoffrey. - -So they talked till the hour grew late and it was time to retire. This -night they were to occupy the "Guest chamber" in the Governor's lodging. - -"To-morrow, then," said the Earl, as he bade them a good-night, "to- -morrow the tide serves at ten in the morning, and I have ordered a swift -fly-boat to be ready for you at the quay at that hour. And now good- -night, good-night!" - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XVI - - HOME AGAIN - - -It was a dull gloomy day, the first day of "chill October." The envoys -stood on the deck of the fly-ship as she cleared out of Calais harbour, -and they watched the fast-receding vista of the old English town, the -last remnant of the once vast Continental possessions of the Plantagenet -kings. - -The flag of St. George hung loosely on the summit of the lofty tower of -Notre Dame. The rain had sodden it, and there was little wind to throw -out its heavy folds. - -There was much cause why Geoffrey, William and Ralph should rejoice and -be glad. Their mission was drawing to an end, and all things had gone -happily. They had passed through many dangers, and a Divine Providence -had surely watched over them. Soon they would be in London, and a -rapturous welcome awaited them at Gray's Inn! - -Yet these were three patriotic young Englishmen, and an indefinable -oppression weighed down their spirits as they caught their last view of -the flag of St. George floating over Calais. A prophetic intimation of -evil oppressed their hearts. - -They had lately been brought into close contact with the gallant -soldiers of France; they had fought against Montmorency and Coligni; -they could appreciate the desperate valour of a Guise! - -How would the worn-out and meagre garrison of Calais, defending its -crumbling walls, withstand the onslaught of such men? - -"Oh, brother," said Geoffrey, as he laid his hand on William's shoulder, -"I fear for Calais!" - -"And I also," said William. - -"And I," said Ralph, and the hearts of the young men were heavy within -them. - -But presently the sun broke through a bank of clouds, and lo! there, -right in front of them, were the white cliffs of dear old England. - -"Heaviness may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." - -"God save England!" cried Geoffrey, and they flung up their caps with -joy. - -Soon they were in Dover, and as the evening came on they were galloping -on three stout horses into Canterbury. They made no stay in the grand -old cathedral city, but rode quickly through it. - -At Rochester, where the grim old castle built by William de Corbeuil -frowned upon them, they halted to refresh themselves and their horses. - -On through the night for London! - -They were crossing Blackheath at a gentle canter when a slight -interruption to their progress occurred. It was a moonless night, but -the stars were shining brightly. A small band of horsemen barred their -road, and a rough voice called out "Halt!" - -"Certainly," cried Geoffrey merrily, as he reined up his horse, and his -sword rattled as he drew it from its steel scabbard, a proceeding -instantly imitated by his companions. "What is your pleasure, -gentlemen?" he cried. "A merry passage of arms on the Queen's highway? -By all means; you do us much honour!" - -But the night rufflers had seen and heard enough, and in a moment they -were disappearing in the darkness. Perhaps they had thought to encounter -three harmless travellers; they had no mind to display their valour -against three soldiers of the English contingent! - -With a loud laugh the travellers galloped on. - -Soon they were threading their way carefully through the narrow streets -of the suburbs of London, and they headed straight for Gray's Inn. They -would have gone direct to Lambeth, where the Archbishop was in -residence, but the hour was unseemly—the night was not yet past. - -So they rode to Gray's Inn, where they aroused the watchmen at the -stables, and, like good soldiers, saw to the needs of their horses ere -they cared for themselves. The day was dawning as they presented -themselves at the great door of the Treasurer's lodgings and woke up the -sleepy night porter, who was slumbering in his cell. - -Glad was old Robin to see his young masters, of whom nothing had been -heard at Gray's Inn for many a day. They were neither hungry nor -thirsty, for they had supped well at Rochester; yet the porter was able -to find some wine and bread for the weary travellers. - -But their chief need was rest, and they at once sought their way to -their well-known rooms, which had not been occupied since they left -them. - -They would sleep, they told Robin, for the next three hours, and at -breakfast time they would present themselves to Sir John and Mistress -Susan, who might be informed of their arrival when they descended to the -breakfast room. - -"Oh, thank God, to be at home once more!" cried Ralph. - -"Yes, let us thank Him together," said Geoffrey gravely, and the three -young soldiers knelt in silence. Then they sought the much needed rest, -and were soon in deep sleep. - -It was eight o'clock when the sound of the gong aroused the sleepers, -and, after a hasty preparation, they descended to the breakfast room. - -Ah! what a meeting was that. - -There stood Sir John, lost in wonder and delight; there was Susan, clad -in some bewitching morning costume, her long fair hair loosely tied with -some bright ribbons and falling in masses over her shoulders. - -"My boys, my boys," cried Sir John, as he embraced them, kissing them on -both cheeks, "welcome home!" - -Then came Susan's turn, and joy shone in her fair eyes as she kissed -them all, Geoffrey not being excepted. - -It was long ere they could sit down to breakfast, so much had they to -tell and to ask. Eating and drinking were much too prosaic occupations -for such a time as that! - -But there was an air of gravity on Sir John's face as he presently asked -the boys what brought them home so suddenly; when last he heard of them -they were on service at St. Quentin. - -Then Geoffrey told briefly the history of their special mission, -reserving all details for some future occasion. - -"And now we must hie to Lambeth," said he, "for our business with the -Cardinal is urgent." - -"You cannot see him until after the hour of ten," replied Sir John, -"when the service in Lambeth Chapel ends. Until that service is over his -Eminence receives no man. I will send a messenger to him, informing him -of your arrival and your business, asking for an early audience." - -Sir John adjourned to the library, and the letter was written and -despatched immediately. - -Then the whole party met again in that noble room, and Sir John -proceeded to tell the envoys of the present position of affairs in -England. - -"The Queen," said he, "is rapidly failing in health, and the Romanist -party is in grave alarm, especially at Court, where the greatest gloom -prevails. All eyes turn to the Princess Elizabeth, who is the hope of -the Reformation party, which is both numerous and strong; already the -courtiers are flocking to Hatfield, where Elizabeth resides. - -"Cardinal Pole, also, is becoming each day feebler in body, and his -illness is aggravated by the treatment he has received at the hands of -Pope Paul the Fourth—who has summoned him to Rome to answer to various -charges brought against him, amongst others the charge of heresy. The -Pope has revoked his Legation, and has appointed Cardinal Peto as his -Legate to England. - -"The Queen sternly resists these papal measures; she refuses to allow -Pole to leave the kingdom, and she will not allow Peto to enter it. All -the ports are watched, and no messengers from Rome are admitted to -England. Alas! poor Queen," cried Sir John, "deserted by her husband, -and harassed by the Pope for whom she has done so much, who would not -pity her? - -"The fires of Smithfield, and at a hundred other places, have quenched -whatsoever love her subjects once had for her. They distrust Philip and -hate the Spaniards with so mortal a hatred, that no man of that race -dare appear openly in the streets of London, and they are fleeing from -England in shoals; our friend Don Diego left last week. - -"For Cardinal Pole much popular sympathy exists. His noble birth and -blameless life plead for him, and the mercy he has shown to many a poor -prisoner is alleged by the people to be the cause of his present -disgrace at Rome." - -So the discourse went on till Sir John's messenger to Lambeth returned; -the Cardinal would receive the envoys at once, and forthwith the young -men rose to obey the summons. - - -------------- - -The clocks were striking ten as the envoys entered the palace of -Lambeth; they were conducted immediately to the Cardinal's presence. - -He was busily writing as they entered the audience chamber. It was -plainly furnished; there were no luxuries, no ostentation here. - -He rose to greet them, and, as he did so, his wan face lit up with a -kindly smile. They knelt on one knee and kissed the hand he extended to -them. - -"Welcome, my sons," he said; "you come from St. Quentin and Calais, Sir -John Jefferay tells me, as envoys from the King." - -Geoffrey bowed low as he handed their credentials to the Cardinal, among -them a letter from Philip to his Eminence. This letter Cardinal Pole -proceeded to read at once. - -"I perceive," he said at length, "that his Majesty is greatly concerned -respecting the condition of Calais, and that he sent ye thither that you -might report to the Government the true state of things in that town." - -Geoffrey then presented to the Cardinal a letter from the Lord -Wentworth, in which the urgent needs of Calais were set forth for the -Government's information. Pole read this carefully. - -"My sons," he said, "you have been eye-witnesses of the things of which -this letter treats; now tell me what you have seen; I know that you are -good men and true, and that you will neither conceal nor exaggerate the -needs and condition of the town of Calais." - -Then Geoffrey proceeded in grave and carefully considered words to give -their report. - -He spoke of the weakness in numbers of the garrison, and of their -inefficiency through age and decrepitude. He set forth the lack of the -munitions of war, the antiquity of the artillery and the means of -defence generally. He described the ruinous condition of the -fortifications, and especially the state of the moats. And to all this -William and Ralph testified their assent. - -Then the Cardinal questioned them on many points, and the envoys duly -replied. - -"These things must be remedied, and I will see Lord Arundel about them -to-day," said the Cardinal. "I hear that the English contingent return -home shortly; it may be possible to induce some of them to re-enlist for -the defence of Calais under Lord Gray, who knows the town well. At any -rate, I thank you heartily for your report, and the matter shall be -taken in hand at once. - -"Now tell me, when last did you see King Philip?" - -"Four days since, at St. Quentin," replied Geoffrey. - -"You must have travelled very quickly," said the Cardinal. - -"We did not spare our horses, your Eminence," replied Geoffrey, with a -smile. - -"You are brave young soldiers," said Pole warmly, "and you deserve well -of your Queen and country. - -"I will inform her Majesty of your return to London, and as I know that -she greatly desires to hear news from St. Quentin, I doubt not but that -she will send for you. Hold yourselves at liberty to come to Court to- -night. If the Queen be sufficiently well to receive you I will send you -a message to that effect. - -"And now I bid you 'good-day.' I would fain detain you longer, but -business of State awaits me, and my time is not my own. Meanwhile you -can prepare for me a written report of the state and condition of -Calais." - -And so the good Cardinal dismissed them, and they hastened back to -Gray's Inn. - - -------------- - -The evening was closing in, supper was over, and a happy family party -was gathered together in the library. - -To-morrow many friends would join them, to welcome the return of the -travellers; there would be Don Renard, Sir Philip Broke, the Lord Mayor, -and other distinguished guests; but to-night theirs was a joy with which -"the stranger intermeddleth not": it was a purely family gathering. Much -they talked of the battle and siege of St. Quentin, much had they to -tell of Egmont, Horn, Montmorency, and Coligni; but it was the ride -through the forest and the encounter with the "gueux" which held Susan -spellbound. Her eyes were fastened on the young warriors with -irrepressible admiration, and glistened with love as she listened. - -Then the interview of the morning was told, and the Cardinal's -intimation that they might be wanted at Whitehall that night was not -forgotten. - -At this last piece of news Sir John seemed troubled. - -"I foresee," he said, "that the Queen or the Cardinal will offer you -some military promotion and duty which would do you much honour, and -perhaps delight your hearts. But danger lies that way. - -"The Queen's days are numbered—no man doubts it, and soon the Princess -Elizabeth will be called to the throne. And to stand well with Mary, to -be actively engaged in her service would be fatal to the statesman, -soldier or lawyer when the new era dawns upon the world." - -Sir John spoke in a low voice, and with extreme gravity. - -"Remember also, my boys, that we Jefferays belong to the party of the -Reformation; that at this very moment your father is an exile by reason -of his religious opinions. Therefore I counsel you to resume your old -occupation here, and, for the moment, to lay aside the sword. The time -will soon come when you may re-consider the matter; I counsel you to -await that hour with patience." - -The young men looked grave also, for it was in their hearts that if the -Cardinal asked it, they would offer him their swords in defence of -Calais while there were yet time to save it. - -It was at this moment that the old major-domo asked admission to the -room; he brought them the news that a Queen's messenger stood at the -door seeking an interview with his young masters. - -The summons to Whitehall had arrived, as the envoys told Sir John when -they had interviewed the messenger. - -"Go, my boys, go, but remember my advice," said Sir John, as the family -gathering came to an end. - - -------------- - -The journey to Whitehall was soon accomplished. The Royal Palace was -shrouded in gloom; it was but dimly lit up, for it was not a "guest -night." - -Alas! guest nights were rare events now that the Queen lay ill; in fact, -she had withdrawn herself from almost all public functions. - -The Palace was strongly guarded, and ere the young soldiers could gain -admittance the officer on duty demanded the password. - -It had been communicated to them by the messenger, and, strange to say, -the word for the night was "St. Quentin." - -Their business being ascertained, they were immediately conducted to the -private room occupied by the Cardinal when he was at Whitehall, and soon -they were ushered into his presence. - -He was busily engaged in writing despatches at a side-table lit by wax -candles, nor did he lay aside his work till the documents were signed -and sealed; then he turned round and faced his visitors. - -He was clad in a plain purple cassock, the only sign of his exalted -rank. His handsome face was wan and pale. Alas! his health was fast -failing, as all men knew. - -"Welcome, my sons," he said; "the Queen is anxiously awaiting your -arrival, though the hour grows late; we will go to her at once," and -rising he led the way to the royal apartments. - -Various corridors and chambers were traversed; they were quite empty -save for the halberdiers who kept guard in the palace. - -"Stay here a moment," said the Cardinal in a low voice, as they reached -a richly furnished ante-chamber, at the end of which rich curtains hung. - -Through these the Cardinal passed; a minute later he rejoined the -envoys, saying— - -"Her Majesty will see you, weary as she is in mind and body; follow me." - -They entered Queen Mary's boudoir, the two ladies-in-waiting leaving the -room on the Cardinal's signal. - -Mary was reclining on a soft couch; she rose to a sitting posture as she -saw the young men, and graciously extended her hand, which they kissed -as they fell on one knee. - -She was very pale, and there were marks of acute suffering in her drawn -and wasted face. - -"His Eminence tells me that you are just arrived in London from St. -Quentin; when did you leave that town?" - -"Four days since, may it please your Majesty," answered Geoffrey, now -standing erect. - -"Only four days," murmured the Queen; "how small doth seem the space -which separates me from my lord the King!" - -She sighed deeply; then, recovering herself, she asked— - -"How fares his Majesty? did he take part in the siege?" - -"The King is in excellent health," replied Geoffrey, "and he took an -active part in the siege of St. Quentin." - -"You saw him there?" inquired Mary. - -"Many times, your Majesty; he was the cynosure of all eyes as he rode -through the flaming streets clad in splendid armour." - -"Yes, I know," replied Mary, a wan smile flickering awhile on her -careworn face; "he would surely be found where duty and danger called -him. - -"Oh, I can call him to mind as he sat on his war-horse, wearing that -wondrous suit of Milanese armour which becomes him so well. I mind me -that it was in that suit that Titian painted him; I have a copy of it." - -For a moment the Queen mused, then she spoke again. - -"Under what circumstances saw you the King in St. Quentin? Methinks he -would thrust himself somewhat recklessly into danger. Did he charge at -the head of his troops?—tell me all." - -"He was ever found where the fight was hottest," replied Geoffrey, "and -he was greatly concerned for the fate of the women and children; he had -them conducted in safety out of the city." - -"Oh! gallant Philip," murmured the Queen, as if she spoke to herself, -and was unconscious that others were present. "Go on, I pray you!" she -said aloud. - -"He was greatly concerned for the safety of the cathedral, and he -ordered the English contingent to see that it suffered no injury," -continued Geoffrey. "While the siege was hotly proceeding he ordered the -monks of the cathedral to convey the relics of St. Quentin, which lay -enshrined there, to his own tent outside the town." - -The Queen was greatly moved, and she beckoned the Cardinal to her side. - -"You hear, father?" she whispered to him. "Sometimes I have thought that -you misjudged the King, that you did not fully estimate his fervent -piety, nor know how easily his noble heart was ever open to the cry for -mercy, how full it was of tenderness and pity!" - -Poor Mary, poor infatuated Queen! - -Suddenly she put her hand to her side as a spasm of pain seized her. - -"Tell Lady Howard to come hither," she said to Pole, "and to bring with -her my strongest essences." - -This being done, the Queen seemed to recover, and she would have made -further inquiries of the envoys, but the Cardinal intervened. - -"Will your Majesty pardon me?" he said; "the hour grows late, and these -gallant young soldiers can wait on you to-morrow; I fear that your -Majesty is exerting yourself too much." - -Scarcely with these words had the Cardinal persuaded Mary, but he had -further arguments at command. - -"It is the hour for Vespers, your Majesty, and Father Petre awaits us in -the oratory." - -"Yes, you are right," replied the Queen, with sudden willingness; "let -us offer to Heaven our thanks for this blessed news from St. Quentin, -ere my strength fail me." - -The interview ended as it began; Mary extended her poor wasted hand, and -the envoys knelt to kiss it. - -They never saw Queen Mary again. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XVII - - THREE CLOSING SCENES - - SCENE I - - -It was the last day of the year 1557, and it closed amid storm and -tempest. The old town of Calais was enshrouded in gloom, the lanterns -which dimly lit the streets had one by one gone out under the combined -influence of a howling wind and a heavy rain. - -In the citadel alone was there light and active life, for the Lords -Wentworth and Gray were that night seeing "the old year out and the new -year in," after the customary English fashion; there was feasting and -merriment within the old Castle walls and the gay uniforms of the -officers of the garrison flashed and glittered as they moved about amid -the Governors guests. - -Out in the darkness Captain Lascelles was relieving the guards and -setting the night watches; his men carried lanterns, which they -endeavoured to shroud from the blasts of the tempest by the folds of -their great military cloaks. The men had reached the strong town gate -which guarded the western approach from Sangatte and Hames. A belated -English sailor was vainly clamouring for admission. - -"Fools," he shouted, "let me in, or you will rue the day. I have a -matter of life and death to report to your Captain." - -Whereat the guards laughed aloud. - -But Captain Lascelles arriving at this moment ordered the gate to be -opened and the man to be brought before him, and this was quickly done. - -"And now, my man, tell me your wondrous news," said Captain Lascelles -incredulously. - -"For your ears alone, Captain, I beg of you," replied the sailor, and -the pair stepped apart. "I come from Sandgate to-night and the place is -full of armed men, they are occupying all the roads, and when to-morrow -dawns you will find Calais invested on all sides by a French army." - -"Are you sober, my man?" asked the Captain, as he threw the light of a -lantern on his features. - -"Oh, Captain, it is God's truth," said the sailor, "and I can tell you -even more. I mixed with some of these men, and in the darkness they did -not discover that I was a foe. They told me that they were the advanced -corps of a great army under the Dukes of Guise and De Nevers." - -Lascelles was convinced, the deep earnestness of the sailor dispelled -all doubt from his mind. He called his lieutenant to his side, and in a -few words told him the fateful news. - -"Take six of your best scouts, De Warenne," he said, "we must verify the -truth of this man's statements, though in good sooth I doubt them not. -Be wary and watchful lest you fall into the hands of the enemy; when you -return come to me at the Castle, I take this man thither at once." - -Then he summoned his sergeant and bade him take immediate steps to -double the number of guards at all the gates of Calais. Ten minutes -later he had reached the Castle, and in reply to his urgent message the -Governor gave him instant audience. - -Lord Wentworth heard the Captain's report with utter incredulity. - -"We know," he said, "that De Nevers is marching into Luxembourg, and -Guise is in Picardy; the thing is absurd and impossible. It is now -nearly midnight, and I will not disturb the peace and happiness of my -guests, who will soon be leaving the Castle. But, meanwhile, warn the -whole garrison that daybreak must find them under arms," and therewith -he rejoined his guests. - -The hours of night passed slowly. - -Before the dawn of day Lascelles had visited every outpost and the forts -of Froyton and Neslé. - -De Warenne had not returned, but at many of the gates the country people -were assembling in frightened groups, begging for admission into the -town. Their report was in every case the same—Guisnes, Sangatte, and -Hames were beset by a host of armed men. - -"De Warenne and his men have fallen into the hands of the foe, and this -is the beginning of woe and disaster," said Captain Lascelles to -himself, as the first streaks of day appeared in the sky and the drums -of the garrison broke into furious uproar calling all men, and even all -citizens, to arms. - -It was the first day of January 1558. Ah, what a "New Year's Day" was -that for England! - -All around Calais lay a great host of Frenchmen, and the banners of -Guise and De Nevers revealed the fact that the young Duc, the hope of -France, was there in person, eager to wipe out the disgrace of St. -Quentin. Everywhere the French were throwing up batteries and bringing -up their artillery, their first point of attack being the forts of -Froyton and Neslé. - -Then the guns of the citadel opened fire, and few and feeble as they -were their deep roar filled the air and shook the old houses of the town -to their foundations. - -Wentworth and Gray were everywhere, haranguing, cheering, and -encouraging their men. Gray was a famous engineer and, with his own -hands, he aimed and fired the best guns the citadel possessed, doing -evident execution upon the batteries in course of construction by the -foe. - -Thus an hour flew by, it was broad daylight now and the rain and storm -of the preceding night had ceased. Suddenly the French batteries began -to play upon the fortresses on the city walls, and the uproar of war was -increased tenfold. - -It was at once perceived by the garrison that Guise possessed very -powerful battering-trains, for which their poor artillery was no match. -And though Lord Gray had brought a reinforcement of two hundred men to -the garrison of Calais, no artillery had been sent by the Government. - -So the unequal duel went on throughout the day, with a roar so deafening -that it was heard both at Antwerp and at Dover. The very heavens seemed -to be fighting against England, for there, at Dover, was a great train -of artillery waiting for transit to Calais. But the winds were fiercely -contrary, and not an English vessel could put to sea. - -The darkness of night did not stay the conflict, for the French -artillerymen had got their "mark and distance," and the fierce cannonade -never ceased. - -At daybreak on January 2nd, the Duke of Guise stormed the forts of -Froyton and Neslé in overwhelming force and carried them. On the next -day Newhaven Bridge and Risbank surrendered, and henceforth all the -strength of Guise's thirty-five great guns was directed upon the town -and the castle. There was no rest, day or night, for the besieged -garrison, each hour brought their inevitable destruction nearer. - -It was on the fifth day that a great breach in the citadel was effected, -and then came the final struggle in which Captain Lascelles fell at the -head of his troops; the victorious foe overwhelmed the defenders in -irresistible force and the French flag was planted on the walls of the -citadel! - -The Castle of Guisnes still held out under Lord Gray, but on the eighth -day of the siege it was captured, and with it went Hames. - -Lords Gray and Wentworth were taken prisoners and were held to ransom. - -Thus fell Calais after two hundred and ten years occupation by the -English, and thus England lost the last rood of its once vast -Continental possessions. - -Few of the garrison survived the siege, the tremendous cannonade slew -most of them, and when the town and citadel were stormed by the French -every foot of ground was fiercely contested until the streets of the -town and the ramparts of the Castle were choked with the dead and dying. -It is stated that only fifty prisoners were made. - -For a day and a night Calais was the prey of the ruthless soldiery, -neither age nor sex was spared. - -The town possessed little wealth; twenty-four hours sufficed for the -seizure of all that it had to yield. - -On January 10 the Dukes of Guise and De Nevers entered the town in all -the panoply of war, and thenceforth all disorder ceased and the French -began to repair the shattered walls with desperate haste. - -Five days later King Henry the Second visited his latest conquest, and -the French army was delirious with joy and enthusiasm. - -The flag of France floated majestically from the grey towers of the -Castle, never to be replaced by the flag of St. George. - - - SCENE II - -On November 17, 1558, Queen Mary died. Philip came not to England; by -the hand of the Count de Feria he sent a message and a ring to his dying -wife. - -A truer friend to the hapless Queen than Philip lay dying at Lambeth— -Cardinal Reginald Pole. - -Within the period of the dawn and sunset of the same day Mary and her -noble kinsman died, and the courtiers passed in crowds from Whitehall to -Hatfield. - -A new era was dawning for England—"the night was departing, the day was -at hand!" - -How the bells of the many churches in London clanged with joyous notes -as Queen Elizabeth entered her capital! - -The youth of the nation, all that was noblest, best and greatest -thronged her passage as she wended her way through the gay streets. All -that pageantry could devise, all that devoted loyalty could prompt, -greeted the brilliant young Queen as she passed to the royal apartments -of the Tower to await her coronation. - -The first act of Queen Elizabeth was to release all religious prisoners, -and forthwith multitudes of refugees returned from the Continent. Among -these were William Jefferay and the Vicar of Chiddingly, and there was -joy at Gray's Inn. - -There was another reason for rejoicing among the family of the -Jefferays. This very year of 1558, by a short Act, Parliament restored -Geoffrey de Fynes "in blood and honours," and he took his seat in the -House of Peers as Baron Dacres. - -Yet another reason for joy arose when the young Queen promoted the -Treasurer of Gray's Inn to the Bench of Judges and Sir John was created -Baron Jefferay. - -And when it pleased Elizabeth to call William and Ralph to Court, and to -make them "Gentlemen of the Queen's Guard," their happiness was -complete. - - - SCENE III, AND LAST - - _Chiddingly once more_ - -The spring has come, it is the month of April in the year of grace 1559. - -The Manor House at Chiddingly is thronged with guests from all parts of -Sussex, and the little village is gay with floral arches and flags. - -The bells of the church have been ringing at intervals all this lovely -spring day, and the villagers are assembling in such numbers that the -sacred building cannot contain them. - -Would you know the reason of the happiness which beams on the face of -every man, woman and child in Chiddingly? - -Here is your answer. - -Forth from the Manor House comes a noble company, they are walking to -the church in long procession. There are Pelhams, Nevills, Howards, De -Fynes, and many another great Sussex family represented there. And there -comes the bridegroom, for this is a wedding. Ah! we know him, the brave -young soldier who has proved his courage on the tented field, and by his -side walk William and Ralph, his brothers-in-arms. It is Geoffrey de -Fynes, now Baron Dacres of Herstmonceux. - -And presently the great dames of the noble families here represented -come forth, and among them we espy one whom we know full well. It is -Susan! - -Oh, how sweet she looks in her bridal attire, and how supremely happy, -as she takes the arm of her father and walks forward to the church! - -They enter it and there, awaiting them at the altar, stands the good -Vicar of Chiddingly, looking little the worse for his year's banishment -from his parish. Then the young couple stand together before him, and -the solemn service proceeds which is to make them man and wife. - -It is over, the bells "gush out in merry tune," the rustics make the -welkin ring with their shouts, and the noble couple retrace their steps -to the Manor House, the bride leaning upon the bridegroom's arm. - -"_O, ter felices ambo!_" - -There we leave you, possessed of all the happiness that earth has to -bestow. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - EPILOGUE - -In Chelsea old parish church there may be seen an altar-tomb of such -marked beauty that Dean Stanley once declared that Westminster Abbey -contained only three finer. It is dedicated to the memory of Geoffrey, -Lord Dacre and his wife. - -On the west side is the following inscription— - - "Quos ardens amor juvenilibus annis - Abstulit atra dies—mors inopina rapit. - Ille prior fatis Dacrorum nobile germen - Occidit, in morbum ast incidit ilia prius - Quæ languescendo miseræ prætædia vitæ - Sensit, tam dulci conjuge cassa suo, - Ut teneri cordis concordia junxerat ambos - Sic idem amborum contegit ossa locus. - Quos jungit tumulus conjungant cœlica tecta - Ut tensant coelum qui tenuere fidem. - Nobilis iste Vir Nobilis iste Mulier - Obiit Sept. 25, 1594 Obiit Maii 14, 1595." - -The following is a free translation— - - "Those whom in youth love joined, death's day of gloom - With little warning sank into the tomb; - He, Dacre's seed, first yielded to the blow, - She lingered on in weariness and woe; - Their hearts responsive beat till life's calm close, - Together here the bones of each repose, - United by one grave,—in faith they lie, - One blissful meed awaits them in the sky." - -In Chiddingly Church there exists a noble monument to the memory of Sir -John Jefferay, Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer. - -He died full of years and honours in the year 1578. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - PUBLICATIONS - - OF - - _The Society for Promoting - - Christian Knowledge._ - - ——:o:—— - - By GERTRUDE HOLLIS. - - =Illustrated. 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