The White Gauntlet Part 49

"Three instead of one! and three _men_! Well, perhaps they will be easier to deal with than if it was a _trio_ of _women_."

The cavalier, as he made this half-jesting remark, seemed to give way for a moment to some reflection, altogether unconnected with the intelligence conveyed by his attendant.

"What is it, Oriole? What have you seen?" asked he, returning to the subject of the Indian's communication.

Oriole's answer to this was a sign for his master to follow him. At the same time, turning on his heel, he led the way out of the apartment, out of the front door, and round by the left wing of the house. Thither he was followed by Holtspur and Gregory Garth, when all three commenced re-examining the tracks.

These were again traced in a backward direction to the side doorway.

It could not be doubted that two of the men who made them had issued thence. The third--he who wore the hobnailed shoes--had met these on their coming out; and afterwards walked along with them to the front-- where the footmarks were lost among the hoof-prints of the horses.

There were no tracks leading _towards_ the side entrance; but, as there was no other way by which the room could have been entered--except by the gla.s.s door, and that had certainly not been unclosed--it was evident that the two men who had come out by the side pa.s.sage must have gone in by it.

The absence of any footmarks leading inward had a signification of another kind. It proved that they, who had so intruded, must have pa.s.sed inside before the coming on of the rain-storm, and gone out, after it had ceased. In other words, two men must have tenanted that chamber during most, if not all, of the time that the conference continued.

Other signs pointed out by the Indian--the disturbance of the dust upon the floor, and the removal of the cerements from the gla.s.s--left no doubt as to the object of their presence in the unused apartment.

Spies, to a certainty!

Holtspur's countenance became clouded, as this conviction forced itself upon him.

The hobnails told who was the traitor that had guided them thither.

There were plenty of like tracks on the other side of the house, leading to the stable yard. Oriole easily identified the footmarks as made by Will Walford.

"It but crowns my suspicions of the knave," said Holtspur, as with gloom upon his brow he walked back into the house.

"Dang seize the white-livered loon!" cried the ex-footpad. "He shall answer for this night's dirty doin's. That shall be sureish sartin, or my name arn't Gregory Garth."

On re-entering the library, Holtspur did not resume his seat; but commenced pacing the floor with quick, excited steps.

What had arisen was matter to make him serious. Spies had been present--he could not doubt it--and the fact was full of significance.

It concerned not only his own safety, but that of many others--gentlemen of rank and position in the county, with several Members of Parliament from other counties: among them Pym, Hollis, Hazlerig, Henry Martin, and the younger Sir Harry Vane.

Sir Marmaduke Wade, too, must have been seen by the spies!

In regard to the latter, Holtspur felt a special apprehension. It was by invitation--his own--that Sir Marmaduke had been present at the meeting; and Holtspur knew that the knight would now be compromised beyond redemption--even to the danger of losing his life.

Whoever had occupied that antechamber must have overheard not only all that had been spoken, but have seen each speaker in turn--in short, every individual present, and under a light clear enough to have rendered sure their identification.

It needed very little reflection to point out who had been the chief spy. The despatch, taken by Garth from the king's messenger, rendered it easy to tell that Richard Scarthe had been in that chamber--either in person, or by deputy.

All this knowledge flashed upon the mind of the patriot conspirator, with a distinctness painfully vivid.

Unfortunately, the course, proper for him to pursue, was far from being so clear; and for some minutes he remained in a state of indecision as to how he should act.

With such evidence as Scarthe possessed against him, he felt keenly conscious of danger--a danger threatening not only his liberty, but his life.

If taken before the Star Chamber--after what he had that night said and done--he could not expect any other verdict than a conviction; and his would not be the first head, during that weak tyrant's reign, that had tumbled untimely from the block.

It was of no use upbraiding himself, with the negligence that had led to the unfortunate situation. Nor was there any time to indulge in self-reproach: for the longer he reflected, the more proximate would be the danger he had to dread.

Henry Holtspur was a man of ready determination. A life partly spent amidst dangers of flood and field--under the shadows of primeval American forests--on the war-path of the hostile Mohawk--had habituated him to the forming of quick resolves, and as quickly carrying them into execution.

But no man is gifted with omniscience; and there are occasions when the wisest in thought, and quickest in action, may be overtaken.

It was so in Holtspur's case at this particular crisis. He felt that he had been outwitted. In the fair field of fight he had defeated an adversary, who, in the dark diplomacy of intrigue, was likely to triumph over him.

There was not much time to be lost. Was there any? They, who had made that stealthy visit to Stone Dean, would be sure to repeat it; and soon--not secretly as before, but openly, and in force.

Why had they not returned already? This was the only question that appeared difficult to answer.

Why the arrest had not been made at once--a wholesale capture of the conspirators--could be more easily answered. The spies might not have been prepared for a _coup_ so sudden, or extensive.

But since there had been time--

"By Heaven!" exclaimed the cavalier, suddenly interrupting the train of his conjectures; "there's no time to be lost! I must from here, and at once. Garth!"

"Master Henry?"

"Saddle my horse, on the instant! Oriole!"

The Indian stood before him.

"Are my pistols loaded?"

Oriole made sign in the affirmative--pointing to the pistols that lay on the oaken mantelshelf.

"Enough! I may need them ere long. Place them in the holsters."

"And now, Oriole," continued his master, after a reflective pause, and regarding his attendant with some sadness; "I am going upon a journey.

I may be absent for some time. You cannot accompany me. You must stay here--till I either return, or send for you."

The Indian listened, his countenance clouding over with an expression of disquietude.

"Don't be downhearted, my brave!" pursued Holtspur. "We shall not be separated for long--no longer than I can help."

Oriole asked by a gesture why he was to be left behind; adding in a pantomime equally intelligible to Holtspur, that he was ready to follow him to the death--to die for him.

"I know all that, faithful boy," responded his patron and protector; "right well do I know it: since you've given proof of it once before.

But your prowess, that might avail me in the pathless coverts of your native forest, and against enemies of your own colour, would be of little service here. The foe I have now to fear is not a naked savage with club and tomahawk; but a king with sword and sceptre. Ah! my brave Oriole, your single arm would be idle to s.h.i.+eld me, where a whole host are to be my adversaries. Come, faithful friend! I lose time--too much have I lost already. Quick with my valise. Pack and strap it to the croup. Put these papers into it. The rest may remain as they are.

Quick, good Oriole! Hubert should be saddled by this time. Garth, what is it?"

Garth stood in the doorway--breathless, ghastly pale.

"Ho! what's that? I need not ask. Too well do I understand those sounds!"

"Lor', O lor'! Master Henry! The house be surrounded wi' hors.e.m.e.n.

They be the kewreseers from Bulstrode."