CHAPTER XIX
OF THE RESCUE OF THE MAIDEN
There was a familiar rattling of chains and sliding bolts. The doorswung cautiously inward, the evil face of Zenas appearing within thenarrow opening.
"Ah! The puppet again!" he exclaimed, his baleful eyes gloweringdown upon the traveler. "And where hast thou left Sir James, my goodbrother?"
"He was foiled in making his escape with me from Castle Yewe,"explained Sir Richard. "Are there messages awaiting me from BishopKennedy?" he added.
"Nay. But tarry not without, sir puppet knight. The sharp wind dothpenetrate keenly to my twisted bones. Come thou inside, ... I'll have agroom to bestow thy horse for the night."
"Get you out of the cold and send him here. I but wish the animalbaited, Zenas. I'll not tarry the night."
In a few minutes the hostler appeared from behind the tavern, receivedinstructions as to the care of the horse, and relieved the young knightof the reins; Sir Richard then opened the door and stepped inside.
"Ah ha! with a golden patch upon the eye, by my faith!" growled thehunchback as the young knight seated himself upon the high-backed benchbeside the chimney-place. "Methinks, sir puppet knight, that I've oftenseen that self same color."
Zenas stationed himself with his back to the blaze, where he stood,rubbing his hands together and laughing shrilly.
"You have seen it. Certes you have seen it!" observed Sir Richardquietly. "Yea--Zenas, and I mean to bear away the maiden to whom itonce belonged, I give you true warrant upon that."
He arose as he spoke, with his hand resting menacingly upon the hilt ofhis sword.
Without a word Zenas thereupon clapped together his hands; three men,armed at every point, came instantly into the room. Three blades wereunsheathed, flashing in the firelight.
"Not so fast, puppet knight; ... I pray you, not so fast," whisperedthe hunchback with an uncanny leer and stretching out toward SirRichard his enormously long arms. "Wilt treat with me quietly now, orshall I have the guards at you for a dangerous interloper? Say theword, sir puppet knight, say the word," he hissed between his teeth."More good men there are where these came from, an these be not enoughto truss thee up and render thee harmless."
"Send the men away," said Sir Richard sullenly. "I'll treat with you."
"Tell me then," resumed Zenas, when the guards had betaken themselvesat his command through the door, "hast ever seen this maid whom thouart thus eager to rescue?"
The young knight pondered deeply before committing himself to ananswer. It would be obviously improper, he thought, to explain themanner in which the cutting of velvet had come into his possession.But he concluded that a portion of the truth would answer as well as awhole falsehood, so----
"In truth, I have never seen the maid," he replied accordingly.
"Well, thou shalt see her.... Yea--and thou shalt have her! Even thisnight, ... now, ... an it be thy wish, sir puppet knight," said Zenas,apparently in a transport of glee. "She hath been fair eating her heartout to be gone. But mayhap thou wouldst first down a flitch of baconand a tankard or so of stum? A full belly for a hard task, I tell thee!Belike 'twould embolden thee for the work in hand."
"Nor sup nor drink will I taste till I have the maiden beside me," SirRichard declared.
"Wait, ... I'll fetch her to thee," Zenas said, and thereupon went outof the room, muttering and laughing.
The young knight could hear his catlike footfalls, then, go limpingup the stairs. Apprehending upon a sudden that the dwarf might bemeditating some act of violence or harm, Sir Richard rushed to the doorthrough which Zenas had made his exit. "Thy life, sir, shall answer forher safety," he shouted from the foot of the steps.
"Fear not, Sir Richard Daredevil," the hunchback called back from thelanding above. "Fear not, I'll bring her to thee all safe enough."
Zenas's undisguised willingness to relinquish the maiden into his handswas very puzzling to Sir Richard. Though this perplexity presentlygave way to a sense of delightful anticipation. At last, he mused, hewas to see her; to hold her hand; to listen to the sweet accents of hervoice. He could not control himself in quiet, and went to pacing to andfro across the floor in a fever of impatience.
Above stairs a scene was being enacted that, could he have been witnessto it, would have proved highly interesting to the young knight. Thehalf-maniacal hunchback respected and admired his brother, Sir James;he loved his brother's sweet daughter, Rocelia, but he feared andhated Isabel, whom he had never been able to intimidate or make to dohis bidding. The maid was indeed possessed of a breezy temper, andupon many an occasion the hunchback had been made to feel the stingof her words. When he had discovered that she was secretly preparingfor her departure, he had at once embraced the opportunity to avengehimself, causing her to be imprisoned in earnest. He had overheardher conversation with an emissary of the Renegade Duke, during whichIsabel had given her word that she would come to Castle Yewe to joinher champion. Isabel had a mind of her own, and a keen appreciation ofthe welfare of number one. She was, besides, a capital conspiratress,and had availed herself of every chance to acquaint herself withthe true character and title of the one whom she had chosen for herchampion. When she had grown familiar with Sir Richard's history, shehad concluded that through him she might achieve deliverance fromher monotonous life under the guardianship of her uncle, Sir James,and at the same time elevate herself to a higher plane within thesocial world, which were her chief ambitions. She had not been acuteenough, however, to be aware that, in promising to go to Yewe, she wasbut falling into a trap set for her by the Renegade Duke. She stillbelieved that the word was from the Earl of Warwick, by which title shealways referred to Sir Richard within her mind.
The blaze of anger with which Isabel now greeted Zenas's advent intoher presence subsided quickly when he told her who was waiting to seeher below. She made short work of her preparations to depart, promisingto do so secretly, and without stopping to bid her cousin or governessa farewell. As the hunchback was preceding her below he was exultingto himself over the circumstance that was to rid him of one of whom hewas jealous and hated, and another whom he feared. He looked upon itas a happy stroke of fortune that had put it in his way to send themoff together. He chuckled aloud as he thought of how cleverly he wascheating the young knight.
"I am yielding him the wrong maid," he said to himself; "the wrongmaid. The saffron gown doth belong to Rocelia, by my faith!"
It seemed an age to Sir Richard before he heard again the hunchback'stread upon the stairs. Another step came to his straining ears, lightand firm, with an accompaniment of gently rustling skirts.
What would his first words be? And what her whispered answer? Hethought of the saffron patch above his eye and the unkempt growth ofbeard upon his chin. For but two minutes' service, a barber might haveearned a handful of rose nobles.
Thereupon the door swung open. Without any apparent hesitation themaid, whom the young knight had always pictured as shy and prettilydiffident, advanced into the ring of firelight. Like an abashed boy, hehung his head in an utter confusion. If a fortune had been laid at hisfeet he would have found himself powerless to look up into her waitingeyes. It seemed to him that the whole world should be pausing to viewthis meeting. Then his hands were caught within the grasp of softfingers. "Richard, ... my faithful champion," a voice broke low uponthe dead silence.
Sir Richard then looked up. His eyes fell upon a pair of firm,curved lips, a row of dazzling white teeth, a wonderful quantity ofraven-black hair, shadowing beautifully marked brows and masterful,deep-gray eyes. His sight was too blurred to see altogether clearly,but he knew her to be comely and bewitching withal.
In despite of this, a sort of vague but exquisite melancholy fell uponhis highly wrought spirits. It was as indefinable as a fevered dream,but it seemed to him to answer to the name of disappointment. He feltthat he would have been more pleased had the maid displayed in hermanner less of assurance and more of timidity and reserve.
Isabel began by b
usily removing the patch from Sir Richard's eye,assuring him of her genuine appreciation of his knightly conduct in solong having worn it. He did not tell her that it had been there buta day. Then, commanding Zenas to bring food and wine, which he didwithout a word of remonstrance, she set the table and bade Sir Richardto eat. When the hunchback went out of the room he told her of hismeeting with the Douglas foot-boys.
"I divined that they were waiting," Isabel said. "But Zenas locked andbarred the door and would not suffer me to come. It was full kind ofyou to send for me, Sir Richard."
"I? But 'twas not I who sent for thee, fair maid."
"Not you? There was a note signed with your name."
"'Twas written by Douglas, or the Renegade Duke then. An I could, Iwould have sent for thee, though----"
"Isabel, Sir Richard; ... call me Isabel. 'Twas then but a trap to lureme within the power of the Duke. Well--we'll attend to him, once wecome to Castle Yewe, Sir Richard."
"To Castle Yewe? It is the one place on earth from which I would remainaway. We'll go not to Castle Yewe, Isabel," Sir Richard declared.
"But has not Douglas a plan on foot to set you high in power? And hasnot my uncle gone to him to effect a truce and a combining of forces?In truth, Sir Richard, will you go to Yewe?" Isabel insisted.
"I know not what plans they may have," said Sir Richard. "But, an therebe such, it is all the more reason why I should get me safely away. Iam come to detest this conspiracy business."
"Well--we'll have that out on the way," observed Isabel. "Come, let usbe upon our journey before the band returns to thwart our going."
They accordingly set out soon, with the moon low and exceedingly brightupon the far horizon. Zenas had improvised a kind of pillion behind theyoung knight's saddle, and upon this Isabel took her seat.
"I wish thee a great joy of thy bargain, sir puppet knight!" thehunchback shouted shrilly after them as they started off. "And believeme," he added, "I am well and truly requited for the death of poorDemon."
"He would not dare to say thus, an I were but off this horse," declaredIsabel angrily.
Sir Richard could not divine what the hunchback had meant to convey.He, therefore, made no reply, but looked back and remarked his squat,bent figure standing free upon the nethermost point of the brae againstthe moonlit sky. He reminded the young knight of a monstrous, black,and forbidding spider.
Not till they had reached within the cavernous depths of the forestdid it occur to Sir Richard that he now had before him a long andhazardous journey to the coast, with, for companion, a maiden whom hehad torn from the care of her lawful guardian. But he had pledged hisknightly word, and apparently there was nothing now to do above seekinga priest, and carrying her with him as Mistress Rohan. He quarreledand fell out with himself because of his dearth of enthusiasm over theproject.
"Richard, dear?" Isabel interrupted his thoughts, "is it not nearaboutsthat the Douglas foot-boys are posted?"
"Yea--in a glade upon our right hand. About here, I fancy," Sir Richardanswered.
"Then stop instantly and summon them to us."
"Indeed, nay!" Sir Richard amazedly exclaimed. "I'm not again forrunning my head into a hornet's nest," he said, by way of borrowing deClaverlok's simile. "But," an inspiration dawning upon him, "do youwish to leave me and go on to Castle Yewe?"
"Without you--Richard?"
The manner of her reply sent a cold sweat to oozing at his every pore.He felt himself caught fair.
"Ho, boys!" Isabel suddenly shouted aloud, clapping her hands. "Drawrein, Richard," she commanded.
"Well, by the mass!" the young knight exclaimed. But he drew rein.
There was a great noise of stumbling horses, and the sharp cracklingof breaking twigs, as the foot-boys hurriedly drew toward the road.When they had observed the young knight's companion, they were the mostrelieved and happy of youths. They immediately set about making Isabelcomfortable upon the back of the housed palfrey, after which the marchwas begun, with the foot-boys singing merrily on before.
Harold rode back presently to announce that he knew of a cave somethingless than a league ahead where they could be rendered comfortable forthe night. Both Thomas and he would do their best, the youth assuredSir Richard in extravagant terms, to have them a fresh hare, a crisploaf of bread, and a sufficiency of sweet goat's milk wherewith tobreak their fasts in the morning. Already, the young knight thought,their journey was beginning to assume somewhat of the complexion of awedding tour.
They then directed their course toward the cave; and by an ingeniousarrangement of the tent, which Harold and Thomas were carrying withthem, they contrived for Isabel a comfortable and perfectly secludedchamber within its depths.
While the foot-boys were engaged in building a roaring fire justoutside the cavern's broad mouth, Isabel sat upon a boulder and engagedSir Richard in an entertaining and animated conversation. It was thefirst opportunity he had enjoyed since their meeting of having a quietlook at her. As she talked, the young knight noted with a certainsatisfaction the ever-changing expression of her fair and mobilecountenance as the filmy veils of light and shadow played across it."Certes," he yielded to himself, "she is beautiful. But 'tis beauty,methinks, of a rather dangerous and sirenlike kind."
When she was near ready to retire behind the curtain she held up a footabounding in dainty, graceful curves.
"Unfasten me my boot, sir champion," she said archly.
They were alone, the foot-boys having disappeared within the forest togather a fresh supply of hemlock twigs.
"Give thee a right good-night, Richard," said Isabel sweetly, when theboots were undone. She was becoming of a ravishing loveliness in theweird light of the flickering fire.
Sir Richard was blind to everything at that moment, saving hiscompanion's captivating grace.
"Often have I bethought me of that kiss which you sped me through thewall," said he, catching and holding her hand. "No wall is there herenow but one of darkness, ... and we are within."
She cast him one bewitching glance, raising her hand to his waitinglips. "Not till we are come within sight of Castle Yewe," said Isabel."Then, brave champion of a maiden in distress, you shall have earnedit."
Sir Richard realized all too soon, however, that his had been but atransitory fascination. The moment that Isabel was swallowed within thecave he felt the spell leaving him. So when Harold and Thomas returnedwith their burdens of fuel, he told them in a purposely lifted voicethat he would help them to gather more. He laid down the law before themeek foot-boys once he had enticed them beyond earshot of the cave.They were free to give the lady safe conduct into Yewe, Sir Richardtold them, but he was to make choice of the way. A signal for theright, one for the left, and another to indicate straight ahead he gavethem. Beside every forking road or path they were instructed to seekhis secret and peremptory command.
"Remember, boys, Sandufferin!" he added, by way of a parting shot. "Andhave a care that you fall not foul of old fox here," he concluded,tapping the hilt of his sword.
"Said I not 'twas the same that cut him down the great Sandufferin?"Sir Richard heard one of the foot-boys whisper, as he was falling intoa pleasant forgetfulness of his many troubles beside the cracklingblaze.
Agreeable with their sworn promises, the faithful foot-boys contrivedto set before Sir Richard and Isabel an appetizing and ample meal.Somewhere within the forest they had come upon a spring, and had filleda deep hollow in the rocks with limpid water. Accordingly, when Isabelsat down to breakfast, she was looking as fresh and sparkling as any ofthe frost-covered fir trees growing round about.
All of that day they pushed steadily forward, halting but once to supand drink within a herdsman's cottage. When the evening had fallenthey were among the upland hills, and had journeyed a full two leaguesbeyond the Back Friar's Monastery.
They found shelter for that night in a wayside peasant's hut. Here SirRichard enjoyed a long talk with Isabel, sitting alone with her by thechimney-side. He tried to win from her an e
lucidation of the mystery ofthe moving tavern, but she refused to gratify his curiosity. Whenevershe chanced to discover that Sir Richard desired particularly a certainfavor, always she would say, "Not till we are come within sight ofCastle Yewe, ... then you shall have earned it."
She was leading the young knight a merry dance, with her "Richard,fetch me this," and "Richard, dear, fetch me that"; her "Are youcertain that this is the nearest path to Castle Yewe?" When the youngknight would grow sullen and demur against returning there, "How absurdof you, my brave champion," Isabel would say, "to set yourself againstthose whose only desire it is to put you where you rightfully belong!"
Scarcely an hour passed without seeing its quarrel between them, whichinevitably ended by her riding close alongside her companion, takinghis hand and wheedling him, willy-nilly, into the best of good humors.Her wonderful eyes during one moment would be flashing cold steel, andin the next would radiate the warmth and glory of a tropic sun. Isabelwas, indeed, a most extraordinary young woman.
Within his mind Sir Richard had made a complete surrender to hercontinued importunings. He was staking his last hope of liberation fromhis uncomfortable, and that which he considered dangerous, positionupon the slight chance of finding de Claverlok in the deserted hut. "Anthe good fellow happens not to be there," he thought, "why--I'll fareon and discover me the things that Lord Douglas has in waiting."
Sir Richard's system of secret signals to the foot-boys workedadmirably, and quite as well as he could wish. By giving them theproper signs he was enabled to follow the path along which the RenegadeDuke and he had so furiously ridden. He even remarked the patch ofbroken gorse and brambles that plainly marked his fall.
It was upon the afternoon of the third day of their journey that theyturned into the sandy highway where the young knight had momentarilyoutwitted his pursuer. He recalled to his mind the image of deClaverlok's rugged, honest face set fantastically against the moon, ashe had seen it upon that memorable night. Sir Richard was obliged toconfess that his hope of discovering him at their appointed rendezvouswas sinking in proportion with the nearness of his approach thereto.
At length, as they rode free of the forest through which a part ofthe road lay, he made out the little hut standing close beside a downsomething near a quarter of a league distant. There was a monk, onfoot, moving in their direction along the highway. As the churchmandrew nearer, Sir Richard noted that he was tallying his string of blackbeads and muttering over his open breviary.
Isabel, just then, rode close to his saddle.
"Richard," said she, "here now is our good priest."
The maiden had left Sir Richard in no possible doubt of her meaning.
A thought came to him, though it was not a happy one, for nothing,now, he fancied, could ever more be happy. Carrying out the thought,however, he called to the monk to halt and attend upon his words.
"Canst thou go with us, good father, into yonder hut?" he said. "Wewould have thy service at a simple service of wedding. See, ... mywitnesses are riding hither, ... and I have papers bearing upon myknightly reputation."
"Right willingly would I do thee a service, sir knight, but not in thathut there," replied the monk, looking up at his questioner with eyesdistended with fear. "I am but now come from there, ... the good Lordforgive him!"
"Forgive who? What is 't, goodman?" cried Sir Richard.
"There abides a great giant there.... Indeed, a tremendous man, ... illwith some diresome fever, or fiendish obsession. He made threat to slayme, an I but dared set foot within, bellowing fierce oaths the whilefrom his pallet of rushes. He will die; ... yea, he will die, for hehad the white drawn look of death upon his bearded face. I shrove himfrom the doorway--then came away. The Lord have mercy----"
He got no further with the sentence within Sir Richard's hearing.Ignoring the road, the young knight went galloping in mighty boundsaway over the gorse-grown meadow.