Chapter III: Book I: The Winning of a Husband (2)

When we parted for the night an hour later, Captain Richmond was near a hundred pounds richer than when he sat down. It was purely a game of chance, this throwing of the dice, and yet, I know not how it was, luck was steadily against me. I had sense enough to reserve a few guineas for my roadway needs, but with the rest I had played desperately till all were gone.

It was the first time that I had ever tempted fortune with the ivory. My father had never allowed me so to do. The fascination of it was great, but hardly enough to compensate for the repentance I felt for even this modest depletion of the totally inadequate store that Master Dunner would be able to gather for our great purpose.

Too late. I was horror-struck at my folly and my imprudence. Something of my feelings must have appeared in my face, for, on a sudden, Captain Richmond pushed the heap of guineas across the table toward me.

"There, lad," he said most courteously, "I did but jest with you. Take thy guineas back. We have had a pleasant evening together, and I shall be happier if your gold is in your own purse rather than in mine."

But this I could not brook.

"Sir," said I, "I may appear a poor loser, but 'tis in appearance only. You have fairly won the stakes and they are yours. Nay," I cried as I saw him about to speak again, "to protest further would be to insult me!"

"As you will," said the captain coolly, "and, if I may say so, I congratulate you upon being a good loser. You shall have your revenge another time, with Fortune, I trust, in a more complacent mood. Which way do you ride to-morrow?"

"To Edinburgh," I answered.

"Do you make an early start?"

"At daybreak," I replied.

"We shall ride together then and discourse further."

"Upon our ladies?" I asked impudently to cover my dismay.

"Nay, upon your commission in my company," he answered.

"With all my heart," said I.

"Here's to our further acquaintance," he continued, pouring himself another glass of wine. "And so, good-night."

_Chapter_
IV

_Wherein I played the Highwayman and what
befell me on the Road_

I retired to my chamber in a great state of perturbation. I had made the captain's acquaintance; I had some idea of his temperament and quality; I had gained, to a certain degree his confidence and won, in some measure, his regard, it appeared. There was no doubt about his liking for me. Yet I was no nearer the accomplishment of my purpose than before, and the sight of the captain had not reassured me as to its entire practicability. He could jest and discourse idly with me, and play and eat and drink like any other man and soldier, but I instinctively realised that in an emergency it would be a bold, a ready, and a resourceful person who could get the better of such as he.

In the parlour of the inn he was one man; on the road to-morrow he would be another. I could match him at repartee easily enough, but when it came to a quick eye, a steady hand, a daring heart, I would be sadly lacking. There was no comparison between us on the score of efficiency. In so much as I fancied that I surpassed other women in physical ability, so I was sure that in the same degree he surpassed other men. Only the desperation lent to me by my father's grave peril would tend to equalise conditions between us.

I said that he liked me. I liked him. He differed from the gentlemen with whom I had been acquainted. He was more a man of the world than any. His coolness, his personal distinction, even his age, attracted me. I wished that he had been on my side. I could have trusted him with the wild undertaking I was now endeavouring to bring about, and I could have rested quite confident that he would succeed in it.

Yes, marvellous as it may seem, I could have viewed his claiming the inevitable reward with a certain degree of equanimity, if equanimity be the word to describe a wildly fluttering, beating heart such as my own. He inspired my confidence and something more.

My mind swiftly reverted to his ideal woman. I was not vain and foolish, I trust, and yet was I not tall and fair? Was there not sunshine, or had there not been sunshine in my long locks before I cut them off? Were my eyes not the blue of which he spoke? Was not my figure plump? I examined what was visible of it with another burning blush, wondering if he had marked it. Could I not ride and hold a sword and fire a weapon without shutting my eyes? Did I not have learning enough to match me with this...

Pshaw, the man was nothing, could be nothing, to me except my enemy. And all such speculations were indeed idle. If I had time and could appear before him in my proper person, I might win his devotion did I desire it, I made no doubt.

But I had no time. I had to get from him to-morrow, in some way, by some means, the fatal warrant. How? His chamber was across the hall from mine. Could I effect entrance therein in the middle of the night, and, unobserved, steal the despatch-case in which, doubtless, he would carry it? It might be done, but suppose he awoke and seized me there and found me a woman?

I shivered at the thought. What would he think of me in such a case? On the other hand, what did I care what he thought of me so long as I got the warrant?

But if I were caught, would I not have to pay the price, lose all, and get nothing? It could not be.

Was there any way in which I could win it from him by finesse? None. By cajolery? Men do not cajole men. And if I said, or he discovered, that I was a woman, I would be helpless.

There was but one way: I should have to take it from him by force. I, a woman, to all intents a slender stripling, would have to overmaster this veteran soldier! Well, I swore that I would do it. I would stop him in the highway, be the risk what it might.

A long time I made plans, only to dismiss one after another until, at last, I hit upon something that seemed to give at least faint promise of success. I would stake all upon that. I could do nothing else.

Slipping off my boots and coat and loosening my clothes slightly, I threw myself down upon the bed, having left directions that I should be called by four of the clock, and fell into a troubled sleep, full of anxious dreams born of my strange plight.

I was up betimes, hastily dressed myself, and descended to the taproom. It was still dark. I knew that Sir Hugh would not be called until daybreak, that he would order breakfast ere he started, and that I should have probably an hour for my purposes. Bidding the sleepy maid to get me some kind of a meal, I went out to the stables to look to my horse.

There were only two strange horses in the stalls, mine and this soldier's. Our saddles hung side by side on pegs. Awakening the ill-tempered hostler, I despatched him to the taproom to bring my saddle-bags and to draw a bucket of water for my horse. The instant he left the stable, I ran to Sir Hugh's saddle and drew the pistols from the holsters. They were a pair of heavy, serviceable, soldier-like weapons. I had a fit of trembling at the idea that they might be pointed at me.

To unscrew the ramrods and draw the charges was the work of a few moments. I was in a desperate hurry and, fortunately, got the pistols, still primed, back in the holsters before the stable-boy came in. I tossed him a crown to relieve his spleen, and bade him get my horse ready quietly and bring him to the door of the inn within ten minutes.

Then I went back, hastily partook of such breakfast as was set before me and paid my reckoning to the landlord, who had by this time come sleepily down the stairs. I left a message for Sir Hugh Richmond that, being nervous and having passed a sleepless night, I had risen early, breakfasted and had ridden on ahead, and would progress slowly that he might overtake me on the road at his convenience. Then I clambered to the saddle and rode away in a rare state of perturbation indeed.

Coming to Cockenzie the day before, I had marked a place where the road bent sharply away from the shore, on account of the broken nature of the cliffs, and plunged for the space of a mile through a stretch of woodland. Such a place, if fortune gave me the least favour, would be most advantageous for my purposes. There I had determined to play the part of highwayman.

When I reached the spot, I drew away from the road beneath the trees and made a careful survey of the situation. I found that I could sit my horse under the shelter of the trees, myself unseen, although with a clear glimpse of the open road leading to the forest, and could easily burst out upon a traveller coming around the bend without giving him the least previous warning.

It was still early in the morning--in fact, it was not yet full dawn--when I reached this point, some miles from the inn, and I hoped that no other traveller on the road would inconveniently appear to balk me in my desire. Fortunately no one was abroad then. The place and road were lonely and deserted.

I had plenty of time to make all my preparations. I carefully examined my pistols and saw that my sword was ready at hand. If Sir Hugh had examined his own weapons critically and had recharged them, if I did not kill him first I should probably be shot dead.

The alternatives before me were simple, I reflected with a faint heart. Before an hour, I should possibly be murdered or be a murderess myself. I liked neither the one possibility nor the other. If Sir Hugh had not recharged his pistols, it was likely that I could get his despatch-bag, but probably only after I had shot him, for I realised that a man such as he would never give up a charge upon a mere demand or threat such as I had at first hoped might suffice.

Well, I knew all this before. There was no use repining at it now. I played for a great stake--my father's life. That stood higher with me than the life of any other man or woman, including my own. I would carry out the enterprise with determination to the end as I had planned, whatever the consequences to myself. But I would that the necessity had never been laid upon me, a helpless maiden.

It is simple enough and easy enough to say all this, but it was by no means easy or pleasant to think on at the time, and I own that no hour I ever spent dragged as that one. Indeed, if the undertaking had been put off another hour, I believe I could scarce have mustered courage enough to carry the affair through even for my dear Lord's life.

It seemed such a pity that no other way presented itself. Certainly, I did not want to shoot this unsuspecting officer. I had almost rather he shot me. Instantly my imagination ran away with me, and I pictured him lying lifeless and bloody at my feet, or myself in like case. And in these speculations I own I quite lost sight of the heads-man's axe and the block awaiting my father in Edinburgh with only me to stay them.

I was becoming quite unmanned when I caught the sound of a horse's footfalls on the road. I rose to my feet from the grassy bank where I had been resting, ran back under the trees, mounted my own horse, rode to the bend of the road, and stationed myself out of sight behind a thick growth of underbrush. I peered cautiously down the road before I took this position and discovered that the oncoming horseman was the red-coated Sir Hugh.

The sun had just risen, and the open road was full of light, although the place where I stood was still in quite deep shadow. My nervousness, I am thankful to say, largely left me in the moment of emergency, and I observed with satisfaction that the hand which held the pistol resting lightly across the pommel of the saddle was quite steady.

Sir Hugh was pushing his horse at a smart pace. Fortunately for me, however, he reined in just as he approached the wood and scanned it curiously, like the careful soldier that he was. There was nothing suspicious, however, and he rode on rather carelessly. As he came around the bend, I was instantly disclosed. I endeavoured to sit and to look as negligently as was possible. I don't think anything in my appearance awakened his suspicion, for he checked his horse, and turned slowly toward me with an air in which were mingled surprise and satisfaction.

"Good-morrow, Master Carthew!" he cried, with a wave of his hand and quite buoyantly. "I thought I had lost you. What strange freak made you get up and ride ahead?"

The moment had arrived. It was now or never. If I waited, I could not do it. He looked so handsome in the full light. He bore himself so bravely and seemed so glad to chance upon me again. Quick as a flash, I lifted my right arm and pointed the pistol fair at his heart, although I prayed that I might not have to press the trigger.

"Stop where you are!" I cried peremptorily. "If you move a hand, I'll put a bullet through your heart, sir."

I never saw such blank astonishment in any human face. At other times I might have laughed at it.

"Why, good God!" he exclaimed when he could master his amazement a little.

"Silence!" I cried. And my voice, I am sorry to say, lost the deep pitch to which I had striven to subdue it and rang highly feminine. "I mean what I say," I continued. "If you do not obey my commands, I shall be under the painful necessity of killing you."

Instinctively confronted by such a weapon,--and my hand, I thrilled to see, did not even yet tremble, though my heart beat so it was like to choke me,--he had remained absolutely motionless.

"Is this a jest, young sir?" he at last inquired, frowning.

"No jest as you will see, but I have no time for talk. I want..."

"Your hundred guineas, I suppose," he sneered. "Why, I offered you them last night. You could have taken them like a gentleman instead of filching them like a thief."

"I want no guineas!" I protested.

But he was too quick for me. With a movement of lightning-like rapidity, the which I had not imagined him or any man capable of, he bent forward, whipped a pistol out of his holster, pointed it at me, and pulled the trigger. For one brief second my eyes did close. There was a flash in the pan--thank God, nothing more. I had not, in spite of my fright, lowered my weapon.

"Curses on the pistol!" he cried.

I laughed.

"If you do not instantly drop it in the road, I will pull the trigger."

I think he realised now that I was in earnest, for he unclosed his fingers and the pistol fell to the ground.

"Now," said I, "you need not look at the other weapon, for I myself drew the charges this morning."

I was sure of my man now and I could afford to temporise.

"You can examine it yourself," I continued confidently, "to make sure that further resistance on your part is futile. Only I warn you that, if you turn it never so little toward me, I will let you have this pistol, and I assure you it is thoroughly charged."

With this permission he at once drew the other pistol from the holster, examined it, and, by command, dropped it in the road beside its useless fellow.

"You have me at a disadvantage, Master Carthew. I am soldier enough to know when I am beaten. What do you wish of me?" he asked me quietly enough; too quietly, had I but known it.

"Your despatches," I said.

"My despatches?"

"You can understand the English language," I continued, "even when spoken by a Scot. Hand them over, or I swear to you..."

"This is foolish preparation for a commission in the King's service, boy."

"I desire no service with that false King," I answered recklessly.

"Are you for Monmouth, then?"

"I am."

"Why, Lord love ye, boy, the Duke hath been executed long since on Tower Hill, and..."

"I'm for myself, then!" I cried. "We waste words. Your despatches!"

"I have liked you," said the man gently, looking at me quite pleasantly, with a little smile upon his lips. "There is the making in you of a rare soldier, for all your slender, almost feminine appearance."

At that my pistol did waver for a second,--it was terribly heavy, I found, extended out before me,--but only for a second.

"Be advised. This is high treason. You will die for it surely."

"On my own head be the consequences. I appreciate the kindness of your warning. Once and for all, will you give over the packet."

"Needs must with such a persuader," he said, smiling.

He reached his left hand into his breast pocket and drew forth a heavy leather wallet. He extended his hand toward me. I was new at the business; I should have had him drop it in the road and ride on, but such was my eagerness for it that I spoke to my horse and advanced a pace to meet him.

I nearly had cause to rue forever that miscalculation, for while still extending the packet with one hand, with the other he reached down with astonishing quickness, drew my other pistol from the holster, and pulled the trigger. Our horses were both in motion at the time. My only salvation was to fire upon him, and, even as the weapon which he had seized spoke, so did mine. I felt a sharp, agonising pain in my left shoulder. I knew that I had been hit; how seriously I could not tell, nor could I give much thought to my condition, for my interest was in him.

Fortune had favoured me, for as I stared, my left arm dangling, Sir Hugh threw up his hands, his face went white; I could see a red smudge on his forehead. He reeled in his saddle, fell back, slipped sideways, and slid down to the road. Both horses were in a great state of excitement. Sir Hugh's foot was still in the stirrup. I had managed to control mine by a word; his own horse started off. Sir Hugh would have been dragged and battered to pieces in a few bounds. I barred the way and, with my right hand, I caught his horse's bridle and brought the well-trained animal instantly to a stop. I found that, although my coat-sleeve was stained with blood, I could still move my arm, which rather convinced me that my wound was a flesh wound of the shoulder and nor serious.

Therefore I dismounted, stepped over to Sir Hugh, disengaged his foot from the stirrup, and tore the packet from his hand. His forehead and the side of his face were covered with blood. He was still breathing. Recklessly, I tore off a ruffle from my sleeve and strove to stanch the blood. I expected to see a round hole in the skull. There was nothing there, however, but a deep gash that extended sideways along the temple. I was not skilled in gunshot wounds, but I realised instantly that he was not mortally hurt, and I was never more fervently thankful in all my life than for that.

As soon as I saw what had happened, I took my lace and linen tie and rapidly bandaged the soldier's head. Then, as I knew I must get away for my life, I mounted my horse again, and, having first taken the precaution to detach from its straps a little despatch-bag that hung from the pommel of the saddle, I turned his horse's head back toward the inn and gave it a hearty stroke or two with my hand to set it galloping away. Thereupon, with a final and reluctant glance at the poor prostrate soldier, I put spurs to my own horse and galloped madly down the road, feverishly anxious to get away.

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_As soon as I saw what
had happened, I took my
lace and linen tie and rapidly
bandaged the soldier's head.
Then I knew I
must get away
for my life_

---------------------------------------------------------------------

When I had got out of sight of any possible observation from Sir Hugh, even if he had recovered sufficiently to observe me, I turned my horse into the wood by the side of a little brook that crossed the road. I urged him through the trees until he was completely out of sight of any passerby. Then I swung myself from the saddle, tore open the package that Sir Hugh had handed me, hastily glanced over the papers, and discovered that the precious warrant was not among them!

Sick at heart, I hammered at the lock of the despatch-bag, which I thanked God I had had the wit to bring with me, until I got it open. It contained various official documents, and among them was one I recognised, to my great relief and happiness. Ruthlessly, I broke the royal seal. The name of my father swam before my eyes. It was the warrant for his execution.

With hands that trembled now as they had not trembled before during the adventure, I dragged from my pocket the flint and steel. Heaping together some leaves, touchwood, and dried brush, I soon kindled a blaze. I held the warrant therein with my hand and watched it burn. The wax melted at last and left a red spot in the middle of the ashes. I had succeeded, and by my own wit and address. My father's life was saved.

I had kept myself up till then by sheer strength of will. The wound in my shoulder had bled unheeded. I was greatly weakened. A sudden reaction came. I felt frightfully faint and ill.

I rose to my feet and managed in some way to divest myself of my coat and waistcoat, fumbling with my one hand amid the unfamiliar buttons. Then I tore open the breast of my shirt, dragged it off my shoulder, and discovered a long, jagged wound across the top. The sight of the red blood upon my white flesh made me nervous and sick.

I fell to my knees and started to crawl toward the brook. I did not know whether I should reach it or not. The world was growing darker and blacker about me every minute. I set my teeth together and crawled mechanically on. I had almost arrived at the brink when a voice I knew broke upon my ear, recalling me at once to full consciousness.

"Well, Master Carthew,"--the words came to me as if from a great distance,--"I have you now."

I looked up. There stood Sir Hugh, hatless, his head still bound, his cheek still bloody. He had a drawn sword in his hand. Amazing as it may seem, I was almost glad to see him: I felt so sick, and weak, and helpless. Yet I did not give up. With a flash of my old spirit, I strove desperately to rise to my feet. I got as far as my knees and, forgetful of my naked shoulder, I stared up at him boldly.

"Too late," I said.

"Good God!" I heard him exclaim. "'Tis a woman."

And then I knew nothing more.

_Chapter_
V

_In which I ride away with my Captor, who
threatens me with Death for High Treason_

When I came to my senses, I found myself lying in the arms of the soldier: that is, he was kneeling by me, with my head pillowed on his arm. It was a comfortable position, but I could not retain it a moment longer than was necessary. My wig had been pulled off; my face was wet with water from the brook, which he had dashed in it energetically; my throat was burning from some kind of liquor which he had poured down it.

After the first emotion of comfort from being thus supported, my immediate feeling was one of fierce indignation that he had so mishandled me. I opened my eyes and my mouth at the same time, furiously determined to protest. One does not come out of such a swoon, however, in full possession of one's powers, and in that particular Sir Hugh had the advantage of me, for, so soon as I unclosed my eyes and before I had a chance to say a word, he spoke.

"My dear young lady," he began, with an air of masculine superiority which made me detest him.

That he should speak so to me was not to be borne. My weakness and faintness had passed. I resolutely drew myself away from him, and sat up. I maintained my position, too, although my head swam and things looked hazy and vague for a few moments.

"I am glad," said he with a gleam of triumph in his eye, "to see that you are better. Another swallow from this flask will probably put you to rights again."

He proffered me as he spoke a little silver-mounted bottle, which looked as if it might have been made to carry in the pocket. I shook my head positively.

"I want no more of it," I said. "I shall do very well as I am."

Then my eye fell upon my half-naked shoulder. With a convulsive movement, I swept my shirt across my breast, and held it there, and I know that my face was scarcely less crimson than the wound itself.

Sir Hugh Richmond, of course, saw my gesture. He paused, bit his lips to repress a smile, and then began resolutely.

"Madam," he said, as cold as you please, "I know not who you are, or why you have indulged yourself in this mad prank. You seem to be a gentlewoman...."

Seem! Great Heavens!--and yet I was thankful for the acknowledgment after all, for goodness knows, there was nothing in my conduct which would indicate that I belonged to that degree.

"And, therefore, I beg to assure you that, until matters are explained to me and arranged between us, I regard you simply as a woman in distress, entitled to my respectful duty and protection."

"You are very kind," I said, seeing that he paused once again.

"It is difficult to say this," he resumed, with some little embarrassment, "but you have a raw and open flesh-wound in your shoulder. It is necessary that it be bound up. In the nature of things you cannot do it yourself. There is no succour or help within miles. You must allow me to act as your surgeon."

"Never!" said I.

"But the bleeding must be stopped," he continued imperatively. "You must be got away from here."

"I don't care, even if I bleed to death," I protested vehemently but most miserably.

"Madam, you must," was the stern answer. "In the first place, although I am loath to allude to it in your present condition, really you are now a prisoner in my custody. You have halted the King's messenger, robbed the King's post on the King's Highway. The act is felony; nay, more, 'tis treason. The punishment I pointed out to you a few moments since. I must convey you hence, and I cannot march you away with that open wound."

"Let me die here then!" I wailed, not realising that death was not imminent from that cause at any rate.

"'Tis impossible," he said briefly, but with a firmness I could not stay. "And, in short, we have wasted too many words already."

He stepped toward me and bent over me. In my desperation I struck feebly at him with my unwounded arm.

"Madam," he said gently, catching me by the arm, "surely you see how futile is your resistance to me."

"But you are wounded yourself."

"A mere scratch," he replied. "Now, permit me."

There was no help for it. I sank back on the grass and hid my face with my right hand. Never in all my life had I been so humiliated and ashamed. The tears welled through my fingers. I hated myself for weeping, but I had no power to check their flow.

He whipped out a knife from some place, and, with skilful hands, slit the shirt across my shoulder, laying it bare. For all my blinding my eyes, I was acutely conscious of everything he did, and a little thrill of admiration at his delicacy pervaded me. A ruder man might have opened the shirt, but he took every care to conserve, so far as was possible, my outraged feelings by exposing me as little as possible.

"Have you anything," he said at last, after he laid bare the wound and washed it with water, which he brought from the brook in his hands; "have you any bit of linen on your person with which to bind it up?"

"Naught," said I.

"If you only had a linen petticoat," he blurted out.

"Ay," was my answer. "If I had that I should not now be here wounded, helpless, and at your mercy."

He looked me over critically from head to foot. I could see betwixt my fingers. His glance, which was careless and indifferent enough, made my flesh fairly creep. Then he did a strange thing. He tore off his coat, and applied the knife to the sleeve of his own shirt. He cut it clear close to the shoulder, slit it in lengths, used the ruffles as a cloth to cleanse the wound, the edges of which he drew together, applied some plaster which he procured from a little box in his waistcoat, and then, with amazing skill and deftness, used the strips of his sleeve to bandage it all firmly and well. It is impossible to describe the relief afforded me by the process. When it was completed, I drew down my hand from my face and looked gratefully at him.

"Now, madam," said he, "'tis but a rough soldier's dressing, but the bleeding is checked, and 'twill serve until we can have it properly bandaged and attended to by a more skilful chirurgeon or apothecary."

There were a few small pieces of his sleeve lying by my side. I sat up and used them to wipe my tear-stained face and heavy eyes. Sir Hugh surveyed me thoughtfully yet most kindly while I did so.

"I believe," said he, "that, with my assistance, we can manage to get your waistcoat and coat on you. The wound is fortunately high up on the shoulder, and you can bend your arm with but little pain. I take it that you do not wish to be recognised as a woman, at least by chance wayfarers, and it will be necessary for you to make this effort."

"With your assistance, I am sure I can manage it," I said, rising to my feet.

He extended me a friendly hand during the endeavour, and I was very glad to take it. I was shaky still in my knees, but I had no doubt I could manage all that was necessary. It was an operation of some difficulty to get the coat and waistcoat on without hurting me too greatly, and indeed, although the pain was severe, I set my teeth together and it was presently managed. Next he mixed me a draught of spirit, well diluted with cool water, in the little cup around the bottom of the flask. After I had partaken of this, I felt ready for whatever fortune had in store for me.

"You will be quite yourself in a few moments, I think. Meanwhile, I will allow you to rest at your ease while I inquire into this strange proceeding."

He indicated a fallen tree. I threw myself down on the grass and rested my head and unwounded arm upon it. Sir Hugh stood with folded arms by my side, quite in the attitude of a judge.

"Now," said he with ceremonious politeness, "that you are quite comfortable, will you kindly relieve my natural curiosity as to your extraordinary procedure?"

I hesitated as to how to begin the answer to this entirely natural request. Sir Hugh prompted me.

"First," he said, "it would be well for you to tell me your name and condition."

I could see no reason for concealing it. He had but to produce me in Edinburgh as his prisoner and a thousand people would tell him who I was.

"My name," said I, "is Katharine Clanranald."

The soldier started.

"What!" he exclaimed. "Are you the daughter of the Earl of Clanranald?"

"His only daughter," I returned.

"Lady Katharine Clanranald?"

"The same, sir."

"Is he your father whose warrant I was fetching from the King?"

"You speak truly, sir."

"The warrant; where is it?"

This was my one moment of triumph in all the interview now proceeding. I pointed to the remains of the fire off to one side.

"You will find what remains of the seal in that heap of ashes yonder," I said, smiling triumphantly.

Sir Hugh deliberately stepped over to it, carefully examined the heap of ashes, stirred it up with his foot, lifted the shapeless mass of wax in his hand.

"Your despatch-bag and the wallet you were good enough to hand me lie yonder," I said, "their contents otherwise intact."

He turned to them, picked them up, examined them carefully, thrust the wallet into the breast pocket of his coat, and turned to me, holding the despatch-bag in his hand.

"I see," said he, "that you have burned your father's warrant. Why did you do this, may I ask?"

"You were an enemy..." I began.

"Certainly not your enemy, madam," he interrupted quickly. "I simply serve my King and obey his orders. I have no personal feeling against you or against the Earl. That should be obvious."

"'Tis a matter of indifference, your feeling toward me or mine," I replied coolly, at which he flushed darkly.

"May I ask what you expect to gain beyond delay by this most extraordinary action, which is fraught with consequences to yourself infinitely more serious than you can imagine?"

"I know to the full, sir, what are the consequences to myself, and, knowing them, I took the risk to save my father's life."

"But you cannot save his life by this means. It will be not difficult to procure another warrant, and your action has removed the last vestige of possibility of royal clemency. You have gained nothing but a brief delay for your father, while for yourself..."

"And that, sir," I returned, "is all that I desire. New evidence hath been disclosed which will be laid before the King, with application for pardon signed by most of the great and loyal gentlemen of Scotland. I played for time. They cannot execute my father without the warrant, and, while one is being sent there, I shall be on my way south to London, to plead with His Majesty the Earl's cause."

"Humph!" said Sir Hugh, "you have forgotten one thing."

"And what is that, pray?"

"That you are now a prisoner attainted of treason; that to-night I turn you over to the commandant at Edinburgh, and your place will be a cell beside your father's. Two heads, one of them a fair one, may go to the block instead of one."

He spoke slowly and with cool deliberation, which lent tremendous emphasis to every word he said. I stared at him, bewildered, the truth of what he said coming over me like a wave. Was it indeed possible that I had risked everything and to no avail?

"Sir, sir," I began, and then I hid my face in my hands once more.

The pause was broken by the soldier.

"I never could abide to see a woman weep. The thought that many a hard adventure and many a bold attempt ends in a woman's tears has oft taken the joy out of some gallant undertaking," he said uncomfortably. "I pray your ladyship control your grief."

"Control my grief!" I flashed out. "Put yourself in my place. I have staked everything, full of hope that I might thus insure my father's life, and you tell me that I have but made his death more certain."

"And have only involved yourself in his evil fortune."

"For that I care not."

"And there is no one for whom you care enough to regret this life?"

"None, save Master Dunner."

"Ah!" exclaimed Sir Hugh, "and who is Master Dunner, pray?"

"An aged retainer of our house, the attorney and councillor who hath aided me in this juncture."

"Was this wild plan his?"

"My own," I answered.

"And had you no man of your house to whom to turn?"

"We are alone, my father and I."

"And was there no gallant among your acquaintance who could relieve you of this desperate endeavour?"

"Not without a price greater than I could pay."

"And that price?"

I do not know why I answered these questions, but he stood before me so dominant and so masterful; I felt so miserable and weak and helpless; the enterprise which I had carried through so gallantly, and from which I had hoped so much, was apparently fruitless. I was as a child before him for the time being.

"The price, I ask," he repeated.

"Myself."

A slow smile swept across Sir Hugh's face.

"Have you never found that tall, strong, brave, true man, with bright hair and blue eyes; that brave, fierce soldier to all the world who reserves his tender side for you, who will worship you and think you as far above him as the stars, Master Carthew?"

"Not yet," I answered, bitterly ashamed of myself as he quoted my foolish remarks of the night before.

I looked pointedly at him as I spoke.

"My own hair is brown, my eyes and skin are dark." He shook his head sadly and then, with a swift change of manner, he continued, "But, do you know, I think I have found the woman of whom I dreamed, and of whom I told you over the cups last night."

There was a direct, not to say a burning, intensity about his gaze, as he fixed it on me, that fairly shocked me.

"I pray you, sir, do not mock me," I began in my confusion.

In spite of my words, there was something that thrilled my heart not only in what he said, but in the way he said it.

"I was never farther from mockery in my life," said Sir Hugh gravely.

"These," said I, "are the manners of the army, doubtless, which finds a sweetheart in every post."

"How admirable is your memory," returned the soldier.

"And 'tis most ungenerous to entreat me thus, being a woman, wounded, helpless, beaten, and your prisoner."

"It is so," said Sir Hugh contritely. "Madam, you have rebuked me well. Now, what is to be done?"

It was obviously not for me to answer that question, so I remained discreetly silent while Sir Hugh pondered the situation, thinking deeply on his course.

"Do you know how far it is to the next town, Musselburgh I believe they call it?" he asked me at last.

I was tempted not to answer him. I would fain give no advice or counsel. I was not bound to give aid and comfort to the enemy. But lingering remains of discretion prompted me to placate my fierce conqueror by submissiveness, if possible.

"It is perhaps five or six miles by the road, I think."

"I could walk that distance easily. But you ... We must get there some way. Once there, it will be easy to secure a conveyance to enable us to reach Edinburgh in safety. I see naught for it but to go to the highroad and wait the chance of a passing coach or wagon, which we will impress."

"My horse should be yonder," I said.

"I frightened him away when I came up."

"Your own horse?"

"You drove him off evidently, for when I came to my senses he was gone."

"We will go, then, to the roadway. How did you find me here, sir?" I asked, rising slowly to my feet.

"You left a trail that a baby could have followed." He smiled. "And, before we start, there is another matter that must be adjusted between us." He hauled out of his pocket as he spoke a netted purse containing the money he had won from me the night before. "This," he said, "is yours. I don't play at dice with women."

He extended his hand with the purse in it, and bowed low before me.

I took the money--oh, I did not intend to keep it! I was never so angered and humiliated in all my life.

"Surely, sir," said I, "I have some claims to be considered as having played the manly part in that, in broad daylight on the King's Highway, I have despoiled a royal messenger, a tried and proved soldier, of his charge, and, in an encounter at arms, have left him senseless in the roadway while I made off scot-free."

"You have described the situation and your action excellent well, madam, but this exhibition of manly courage, address, and daring does not make you less a woman. I may fight with you on necessity, but I cannot game with you. The gold is yours and you will have need of it," remonstrated the soldier.

For answer, I hastily flung the purse and its contents into the brook.

"Let it lie there," I said.

Sir Hugh laughed uproariously. Then he deliberately waded into the brook, fished up the purse from the shallow pool in which it lay, and put it in his pocket.

"Your true woman," he said, "flings away treasure; your true soldier gathers it up, that, at some future day, he may place it in her hand again."

"Lead on to the roadway," said I, as imperiously as you please.

"Had best cover your curls with the sunshine in them, madam, with your wig before we go," said Sir Hugh, lifting up wig and hat and presenting them to me with a graceful but most ironical bow.

I clapped them on my head in some fashion. I was so angry that I neither knew nor cared whether they were rightly placed or not; and then, meekly to all appearances but with a heart filled with inward rage, I plodded through the forest to the side of the road.

_Chapter_
VI

_In which, by the Favour of the King's Messenger, I am permitted to ride south again on my Quest_

Fortune favoured us, for what should come along but an empty coach and four that had taken one of the minor gentry out to his country seat and was returning to the city. The coachman was sufficiently astonished at the sight of a King's officer, his head bound up in a bloody rag, and a pale slip of a boy in disordered guise by his side. He halted instantly on being hailed, and when Sir Hugh disclosed his name and rank, and required the use of a coach to take us to Musselburgh in the name of the King, he made no demur, especially as his conscience was quieted and any resentment mitigated by a guinea which the soldier flung to him with a prodigal hand.

At his gesture, I preceded my captor into the coach, and sank back in the thick cushions of the seat with a great feeling of relief. Sir Hugh clambered in after me, shut the door, and sat down by my side.

"I should relieve you of the annoyance of my presence," he said, "by riding on the box were it not for this unseemly appearance."

He pointed to his head, and my heart really smote me. I would have killed him I suppose to secure the warrant, if it were necessary, but I had no wish to see him suffer, thereafter. I was ever an impetuous woman, and at once I spoke my thought.

"Sir, you must be holding me strangely indifferent to one who hath so delicately entreated me, but I am ashamed to say that I quite forgot your wound."

"I forgot it, too," said Sir Hugh, "and, indeed, 'tis nothing to worry about. Had I water and a towel, save for a raw scar for a few days, there would be no evidence of it. I have had bullets into me and through me seriously and often enough to make nothing whatever of a trifling scratch like this."

"I thank God," I said fervently, "that it was only a scratch."

"Madam," he rejoined promptly, "you cannot be more grateful to Providence for that than I am that my inadvertent bullet merely grazed your shoulder."

"Yet, sir, had you stricken me down, I had been saved from a worse fate."

Sir Hugh said nothing. The pause was almost unbearable. I broke it. He seemed to be waiting for me to do so.

"What ... what is the punishment for treason?" I asked.

"The block, madam," was the sepulchral answer.

Now I was willing to die. Indeed, if my father had to die, I was more than willing. At least I had been until now. But there was something so sinister and horrible in the prospect my imagination conjured before me at his word that I went white and shuddered.

"'Tis a hard fate," said Sir Hugh swiftly, "hard fate for a brave man and harder for a sweet woman. There must be some way of avoiding it."

There was nothing that I could think of to say, no way that I could see for avoiding it, so I perforce kept silence, biting my lip, clenching my hands, and fighting back the tears that brimmed in my eyes in spite of myself.

"Madam," asked Sir Hugh, at last looking at me very hard, "have I not used you gently since the affair of this morning?"

"That you have!" I cried. "I shall not forget your kindness, your delicacy about ... about my shoulder. A helpless maid could have fallen in no gentler hands. I shall thank you for your treatment during the rest of my short and unhappy life."

"Soldiers," said Sir Hugh, "are not always so black as they are painted. I am glad to hear you say that. I tried to treat you as I would a sister or a wife, had I been blessed with either. Now, will you allow me to question you on one or two points?"

"You may ask me anything, and anything that a woman may properly reveal I shall not keep back. I am glad to requite your services by entire confidence."

"You say that your father is not guilty of high treason?"

"No," said I, "I cannot say that, but I do say he went with Monmouth's adherents against his will; that he was in a measure compelled to, and that there are many circumstances which mitigate his offence against the King, so much so that, with the petition for pardon, we are persuaded that His Majesty will commute the sentence perhaps to exile or confinement."

"I am a soldier of the King, and, therefore, what I say may appear strange, but you interest me, madam. You interested me last night, you interested me more this morning, and you interest me even more at this moment."

If interest in his language did not spell some other word, then I fear I was no judge of hidden meanings.

"There is one argument to which the King is rarely insensible," he resumed rather guardedly.

"And what is that?"

"'Tis heard in the ring of the guinea upon his fellow."

"We are not without some argument of that sort," I replied.

"And how much, pray, do your resources amount to?"

"About three thousand pounds, I think," was my answer.

"Including the hundred I won from you last night?"

He took the wet purse from his pocket and balanced it lightly in his hand.

"Including that," I said, humbly enough now in all conscience.

"Now, madam," he said, extending it to me once more, "I pray you as the good comrade of a poor soldier, who, although he hath been cozened by a woman, is not yet without some reputation, to accept this trifle as part of your father's ransom."

I hesitated. It was hard for me to put my pride in my pocket, but he had spoke me so fair and had treated me so well; his manner was so winning--and we needed the money so much--I actually took it.

"That's well done," he said, clapping me lightly on the shoulder, "and like a lad of spirit," he laughed.

I was unreasonably glad of his praise, I know not why; but honestly I set down my feelings as they came to me. I did not resent the friendly touch on my shoulder, either; its kindly animus was so apparent.

"You have been very good to me," I said, extending my hand.

He took it in his own firm, brown one, and held it strongly, yet without hurt.

"'Tis the first lad's hand I ever kissed," he laughed again, bending over it and pressing his lips upon it.

How different that from the pressure of Master Dunner's lips, or of any other that had touched my hand!

"I have put my pride in my pocket with my guineas," I said, "but what avail either now? I have simply succeeded in getting myself in prison with my father."

"There is many a thing happens between the arrest of a criminal and his being clapped into a cell," interrupted Sir Hugh, with a profoundly philosophic air. "But I have not yet finished my catechism, my lady. I asked you last night had you a sweetheart, and your confusion led me to believe that you... What am I to think now?"

"Sir," said I, "you have no right to question me as to my private affairs."

"No right certainly, but as a friend, as a possible ally, I still press for an answer."

"I have none."

"Answer or sweetheart?"

"Neither."

"And there is no gallant gentleman of Scotland to whom you are pledged?"

"Would I be here if there were?" I answered sharply.

"True," said Sir Hugh.

"Now it is my turn to question. Why do you ask?"

"Not idly, your ladyship, I protest. I have a good reason."

"What is that?"

"Your true soldier never gives his reason until he has to."

"Oh!" I remarked, indignant at being thus flouted.

"Nevertheless," said he, "I shall give you mine. I am willing to save you for yourself, not however for another man."

To save me! What could he mean? I stared at him, bewildered.

"I don't understand," I began.

"You will presently. Now, let me tell you something about myself. I haven't a relative in the world, save a distant cousin, who would succeed to the title and estates should anything happen to me. As I hinted, I have admired and played with many women; I have loved none. I have never seen my ideal, whose qualities I prated of to you so volubly last night, until"--he paused significantly--"this morning."

"Oh, Sir Hugh!" I cried, "how can you thus make sport of my misfortunes?"

"I was never more serious in my life, madam, and I tell you this in order that you may understand my action and that consideration for no other person than yourself need obtrude itself upon my course. I intend, when we reach Edinburgh, to deliver you to..."

He stopped and looked hard at me, the conclusion hidden.

"The Lord Chief Justice," said I, completing his sentence. "It is just."

"To worthy Master Dunner, your attorney. I intend to place in his hands bills of exchange on my London bankers for the sum of seven thousand pounds, which, with your own three thousand, will better serve to move the King to grant your petition when you present it to him. His Majesty will be at Durham within a week. You can reach him there and save yourself the long journey to London."

I stared at the man in bewildered amaze, scarce at first comprehending the meaning of his easy sentences.

"But I am a prisoner," I faltered.