CHAPTER IX
FATHER SOLOMON AT BAY
So sudden had been my movement that I had caused the old man to staggerback, nevertheless he did not lose his footing, and when he caught sightof me, I thought I detected a desire on his part to rush through theopen doorway. So, before he could take any such action, I closed thedoor with a loud noise--a noise which resounded through the great lonelybuilding.
I could see that my entrance had astonished him. That he expected someone else was evident, and from the look in his eyes I knew that he hadno knowledge nor suspicion as to who I was. He held a small oil lamp onthe level of his head, by which means he caused its light to falldirectly on my face. I saw, too, that his keen deep-set eyes rested onme as though he would read my thoughts, and I judged that he was at aloss how he should treat me.
"And so you would use your brute strength to enter the house of a lonelyman, who desires only that he may seek to do the will of God," he saidslowly, and I could have sworn that he was seeking to measure mystrength and was calculating whether it would be wise to throw himselfupon me.
I do not know why it was, but for answer I only laughed. Perhaps thiswas because the old man's voice had driven away the last vestige ofsuperstitious fear.
"You are young for your trade, young master," he continued, stillkeeping his eyes steadily fixed on me, "and if my old eyes do not tellme falsely, you are ill fitted for it. Your face tells me that youshould be an honest youth, not a roystering and lying housebreaker andhighwayman. So leave me at once. I have naught of which you can rob me.Gold and silver have I none. I am simply a harmless old man who seeks tospend the rest of his days in communion with his thoughts and hisMaker."
"Your age hath taught you but little wisdom, if it hath taught you thatI am a footpad," I said. "Neither do I seek gold or silver."
"Then what do you seek?" he asked with a snarl.
"A quiet hour with you."
I saw him glance quickly around the entrance hall of the house in whichwe stood, as though he feared we were not alone. Then he took a stepnearer to me.
"A quiet hour, young man?"
"Ay, a quiet hour."
"I tell you this," and his voice became bitter: "If you do not leavethis house--nay, nay." He stopped as if to correct himself. "A quiethour--ay, a quiet hour, that you shall have, young master. So quiet thatyou shall not even know when it hath come to an end, so quiet that thespirits of the dead which haunt this house shall scarcely know when youhave entered their worshipful company."
By this time I saw that he had recovered from the surprise he hadexperienced at my entrance. His deep-set eyes rested steadily upon me,and he spoke like one in deep thought. I therefore watched him closely,for although he was an old man, he shewed no sign of feebleness. Hiseyes were keen and alert, and he moved with the activity of youth.
"But why wish you this quiet hour, young master?"
"To know many things which you can tell me," I answered boldly enough,although I was anything but light hearted.
"Ay, I will tell you of many things," he said quickly, "things that youwill never repeat, my son, never, never, never."
He repeated the word as I have written it down with great solemnity, andfor the last time between his set teeth and with terrible intensity.
"Did you take advice from any man before you sought admission withinthese walls, young master?" he went on, "Did you commend your soul toyour Maker? Did you bid good-bye to all you hold most dear?"
"I did not do any of these things, Father Solomon," I answered asjauntily at I could.
"Thus you show your foolishness."
"That is as may be," I made answer.
"And what do you think will be the end of this visit?" he asked, and Ithought his interest was growing in me.
"The end, Father Solomon?" I replied with a laugh. "The end will be thatyou will tell me what I wish to know, and then we shall say good-bye."
"You are but a youth," he said solemnly. "You are yet only on thethreshold of life, therefore it grieves even me that you should be cutoff before your prime. And yet I see no chance of your escape. You haveentered the region of the departed dead, you have lifted to your lipsthe goblet of which lost souls drink. Still, I would save you if Icould. If you will take the oath that I shall prescribe, an oath to thePrince of Darkness who reigns here, then may I be persuaded to allow youto depart without injury."
The man made me shiver as he spoke, but I had not come hither to befrightened before my work was begun. So I summoned up all my courage,and laughed in his face.
"You laugh!" he cried angrily, "but in an hour from now you shall hearonly the laughter of devils. The only words of comfort that you shallhear shall come from the lips of hell-hags, who shall drag you deeperand deeper down into the caverns of darkness."
"Have done with this, Elijah Pycroft," I said quietly, for this threatmade me feel that he was uttering only gipsy cant.
He started as I mentioned his name, but still he kept up the part whichI believed he was trying to play.
"Come, power of darkness, and seize him," he cried, like one invokingsome distant being; "tear his soul from his body, and drag it intoeternal gloom!" Then turning to me, he said in a hoarse whisper, "ListenI do you not hear them coming? Fly ere it be too late."
"Let your powers of darkness come, Elijah," I said quietly, "but I tellyou this: before they come there are certain things you will have totell me."
"What things?" he snarled. "Tell me who you are? Tell me what you want?"
"All in good time," I said confidently, for by this time I began toenjoy the situation rather than to fear it; "but before I tell you aughtlet me go to your workshop, Master Elijah--the chamber where you keepyour grinning skulls and your witch potions. For I have a great desireto enter that chamber. Ay, you must have rare doings there! Last nightyou received pretty women, and to-night you receive not women, but a manwith a sword and pistols in his belt. Ay, and the pistols are loaded,Master Elijah, and I am a fair marksman."
"Very well," he said after a moment's thought. "On your own head be thecurse of your acts. But wait here for one moment. I will e'en go andprepare the room for your coming."
"Nay, nay, we will go together," I replied. "I love your company so muchthat I cannot bear the thought of your departure."
As quietly as one could think, he had blown out the light, and I heardhim rush away into the darkness. Had I hesitated a moment I should havelost him, but a ray of moonlight having penetrated the place, I was ableto follow his movements. I caught him by the arm and held him fast.
"Unhand me, or you shall die!" he cried.
I held him at arm's length and, although he was an old man, I shook him,not so much as to hurt him, but enough to make him feel that he was notin the hands of a maid of eighteen.
"Do you not fear me?" he cried. "Do you not know that even now I hear thefootsteps of the dead?"
"I do not fear you," I said, "but you fear me. Come, Master ElijahPycroft, who hath been dead and is come to life again, lead me to theroom where last night you received the woman called Constance."
He stood still, but I felt his body trembling.
"If you will not," I went on, "I shall begin to threaten. And, mark you,although you pretend to pity me as an ignorant boy, I will perform mythreats."
"Ay, and what can you do?" he snarled. "In a minute from now thehell-hags which I have summoned from afar will be here, and then--ha,ha!"
"Before they can come I will e'en drag you through the Pycroft woods," Icried; "ay, and I will drag you to Folkestone town, and then, methinks,we shall see gay doings, Master Pycroft."
I meant what I said, for although I desired much to have quiet speechwith him, he had angered me by his obstinacy and his threats. I think hefelt this, too, for he said sullenly--
"It shall e'en be as you say."
"Then light your lamp again, Master Pycroft, or Father Solomon, whateveryou may be pleased to call yourself," I said.
A minute later the lamp
shone again, and then he ascended a broadstairway, I keeping close at his heels and ready for anything he mightattempt to do. But he walked straight on. I think by this time he alsohad become interested to know more about the venturesome lad, whom hehad not succeeded in frightening, and who had dared to hint that ElijahPycroft had never died as had been given out to the world. Be that as itmay, he uttered neither snarl nor threat as we threaded the longcorridor through which he led me, and ere long we had entered the roomof which I had taken such note the night before.
A candle still burnt here, which threw a ghostly light on the walls. Idetected a strange odour coming from the fireplace, which, as Iimagined, arose from the pot I had seen him put on the fire.
I closed the door behind me, and looked quickly around me. My nerves hadnow settled down to their normal experience, and, although I knew notwhy, I was enjoying the situation more than I can say. I knew, however,that I had need of all my wits, and that I must use great caution if Iwould obtain that for which I had set out.
The added light of the lamp to the candle made the room bright, and,noting that curtains hung by the window, I drew them across it whole theold man gazed at me in wonder.
"I wonder that one so old and wise as you does not exercise morecaution," I said quietly.
For a minute neither of us did aught but gaze at each other. Hedoubtless trying to recall some fact which might give him some clue tomy identity and tell him why I had dared to come hither, while I notedhis every feature, and wondered at the strange life he led.
He was clothed in a long loose flannel gown which hung from hisshoulders to his feet, and which was confined to his waist by a cord.Altogether it was a kind of monkish attire. On his feet were shoes madeof cloth, the which enabled him to walk almost noiselessly. He had neverbeen a tall man, and now that age had somewhat diminished his form andhis head had sunk low into his shoulders, he appeared what he reallywas, a shrivelled up old man, though hale and hearty withal.
Presently I thought he listened keenly, as though he expected theapproach of some one, and once I thought he seemed on the point ofcrying out.
"I think it will be well to forget all about the witches and powers ofdarkness," I said quietly. "I can assure you they will not come. Ratherlet us talk quietly together."
I longed to know what was in his mind, but his face became blank as Ispoke, so that I could read nothing.
"Well, ask your question," he said; "it will not be long now."
"Very well," I replied, "I will ensure our being undisturbed."
I had noticed an old iron bolt in the door, also a stout staple driveninto the doorpost. I therefore quietly bolted the door.
"There," I said, "if the witches come it will take them time to get in."
He seemed more than ever discomfited at my coolness. He had been so longundisturbed that he seemed to wonder at any one daring to come to him insuch a way.
"Well, what do you want to know?" he said helplessly. Then he added,"But let me tell you this: I know nothing."
"Who is this woman called Constance?" I asked.
At this his face became relieved. "Ha! ha!" he cried. "A lover, eh? Hetraced the fair Constance hither, and now his love makes him so bravethat he dares to meet the ghost of Pycroft. But Constance is not foryou, lad. She hath her duties as a wife--eh, a wife!"
"Wife or maid, who is she?"
"How do I know? I who--who----" here he relapsed into silence.
"But you will know before I leave this room," I made answer. "Also, youwill tell me other things."
"What other things?"
"Among them, why you live here, and what you hide here."
"And if I will not tell you?"
"There is an old adage that a wizard is ten times worse than a witch,and many a witch hath died during these last twenty years. When KingCharles comes to England it will be easy to prove that an old man atPycroft Hall hath a familiar spirit."
"King Charles!" he cried, and his old eyes sparkled. "Am I afraid ofKing Charles? I will claim a secret audience with King Charles, and intwo short minutes King Charles will obey me like a child."
"Obey you?"
"Ay, obey me. Now, then, do your worst. Fool that I was to be duped by apuling boy like thee, but since I have been a fool, I will e'en pay forit. Thou canst tell thy story--ay, thou canst drag me to Folkestonetown. Well, what then? Suppose the ignorant fools which inhabit thiscountryside cry out for my death? Well, listen--I am Elijah Pycroft--agentleman, and I can claim to have an ear of the king. And then it willbe even as I say. Even King Charles will do the will of old ElijahPycroft."
He had cast aside all his claims to the supernatural, and had become theclever scheming old man.
"I know what you mean," I replied quietly, "But the thing by which youthink to obtain the mastery over the new king doth not exist."
He started to his feet like a man bereft of his senses.
"Doth not exist? What do you mean?"
"Oh, I have seen the mother of Lucy Walters," I replied.
"Thou hast seen----!" he stopped suddenly, his deep-set eyes dartingangry glances at me and his body trembling with passion.
"Ay, I have seen her; but it is no use. Do you think that Charles Stuartwould ever wed such as she?"
"But he did, he did!" he cried, carried away by his passion. "And whatis more, I have proof of it--and----" Again he ceased speaking suddenly.I saw that he had said more than he intended. Now this was the point towhich I had aimed to bring him, and I tried to take him further.
"A vain boast," I said. "Where is it, if it exists?"
"Where you will never see it. But stay, tell me who you are? By whatmeans did you obtain knowledge of these things?"
"I have seen a man having a wondrous likeness to Sir Charles Denman," Ireplied, drawing a bow at a venture.
"Ay, and he sent his pretty Constance to me. He thought to befool mewith his ill-thought-out plans--me who learnt wisdom before he was born.Ay, and you saw the pretty Constance too, did you? But she hath told younaught, no--she hath told you naught. How could she? He did not know,she did not know, and you, you do not know."
He laughed like a man in great glee; nevertheless I saw that his eyeswere full of fear. Twenty years before he would have been a strongresolute man, whom it would have been difficult to bend, but now age haddimmed his powers and made him incapable of grasping wide issues.
"If you know where it is--tell me," I said, making a false step, as Iknew before the words had escaped my lips.
"Ah, now I see why you have come! Ha, ha! What fools men are! You thinkcrowns are played for with plans no weightier than boys' dice, do you?Oh, I know what I know."
"So do I," I said, trying to bluff him.
"And what do you know?" he questioned eagerly.
"Since you are so chary of imparting knowledge, so will I be," I saidquietly. "Doubtless you are an old player, Master Pycroft, therefore youknow it takes two to make a game. Besides, great enterprises aredangerous when they are taken alone."
"Ah, like Sir Charles, you would go into partnership with me. And Ilaugh at him, laugh at him! Oh, I have more at stake than you know,young master. Therefore think you I make terms with a nameless boy?"
"I think you will," I replied.
Again he stared at me incredulously. I could see that he was wonderingwho I was and how much I knew.
"My armour is invulnerable," he cried, "invulnerable, I tell you. Youmay do your worst, but I can gain the ear of the king, andthen--pouf!--what can you do?"
"In two days the king may land at Dover," I replied. "What is to hinderme from going to the king, and saying to him, 'Sire, an old man wholives at Pycroft professes to have proof that you married Lucy Walters:by this means he hopes to have power over you.' What do you think theking will say? What will he do?"
His eyes burned with mad anger, but he saw that I was on guard; he saw,too, that I was young and lithe and strong.
"But you would not do this?" he cried.
"Why n
ot?" I asked quietly.
"But what could he do?" he asked almost helplessly.
"That depends," I replied. "If the thing is true, he will take summarymeasures with Master Elijah Pycroft. He would know that the proof ofsuch an event would throw the country into civil war. Lucy Walters' sonlives at Paris, and if the marriage can be proved he is the next heir tothe English throne. But what would that mean? You know, Father Solomon.Besides, think you that James, Duke of York, would be idle? Then let ussuppose the thing is not true. Do you think Charles Stuart would take nosteps to punish the man who gave birth to such a lie?"
He sat with his chin resting on his chest for some time withoutspeaking. Occasionally he would take a furtive glance at me, and againhe seemed to be trying to understand the bearings of what I had said.
"Would you do this?" he asked again presently.
"When one can do a thing, there is always a danger that he will," Ireplied.
Again he gave me a searching glance, and again he seemed to be trying tosee his way through a difficulty.
"Tell me what interest you have in all this?" he said presently.
"Oh, I am a young blood on the look-out for adventures," I replied.
He saw that I had not answered him fully, and it was not difficult tobelieve that he suspected me of having an interest in the matter which Ihad not revealed to him. After all, a man would not come to him in sucha way as I had come without sufficient reason, and it was not likelythat he would reveal to me a valuable secret simply because I had askedfor it. On the other hand, he had seen that I was not to be frightenedeasily, nor to be put off with a weak excuse. I had done what others hadnot dared to do. I had entered a house of evil omen at a time whenothers would not dare to approach it. For although through my father'straining I had been able to make light of the stories I had heard, therecan be no doubt that tales such as I have told about Pycroft werebelieved by both gentle and simple alike. More than one house in Englandwas tenantless at this time because of its ill fame, and tales of theappearances of the departed dead were believed in by both clergy andpeople alike. Such Catholic priests as were in England taught people tobelieve in such things, while even the Puritan and Presbyterian clergygave credence to belief in the power of the devil and his emissaries.For years Pycroft Hall had been neglected and avoided; and thus it wasno light matter that I had dared to try and penetrate its secrets, and Idoubt not that the old man weighed these matters well, as he furtivelyglanced at me from beneath his overhanging brows and shaggy eyebrows.
At last he seemed to have made up his mind to something. He rosesuddenly to his feet, gazed furtively around the room as if he evensuspected that some one might be near, and then came up close to me.
"Let us understand each other, young master," he said.
"That is well," I replied, as I waited for him to proceed.