Part 12 (1/2)

It seems she was a foreign lady of birth, bearing letters commendatory to the Court of Lisbon.”

”That was his story of it,” Master Porson a.s.sented. ”I was below and busy with the cargo at the time, and knew nothing of her presence on board until we had cleared the harbour.”

”And at this moment she is a guest of Mr. Milliton's at Pengersick?”

pursued Sir Nicholas, still with his eyes upon mine. I bowed, feeling mightily uneasy. ”It is most necessary that I should take her evidence--and Mr. Milliton's. In all the statements received by me Mr. Milliton bears no small part: his house lies at no distance from Gunwallo Cove: and I have heard much of your Cornish courtesy.

It appears to me singular, therefore, that although I have been these four days in his neighbourhood no invitation has reached me to visit his house and have audience with him: and it argues small courtesy that on coming here to-day in full expectation of seeing him, I should be fobbed off with a deputy.”

”Though but a deputy,” I protested, ”I have my Master's entire confidence.”

”No doubt,” said he drily. ”But it would be more to the point if you had mine. It is imperative that I see Mr. Milliton of Pengersick and hear his evidence, as also this Lady Alicia's: and you may bear him my respects and say that I intend to call upon him to-morrow.”

I bowed. It was all I could do: since the truth (for different reasons) could neither be told to him nor to the others. And the truth was that for two days my Master and the strange lady had not been seen at Pengersick! They had vanished, and two horses with them: but when and how I neither knew nor dared push inquiries to discover. Only the porter could have told me had he chosen; but when I questioned him he looked cunning, shook his head, and as good as hinted that I would be wiser to question n.o.body, but go about my business as if I shared the secret.

And so I did, imitating the porter's manner even before Dame Tresize, the housekeeper. But it rankled that, even while instructing me--as he did on the eve of his departing--in the part I was to play at Clowance, my Master had chosen to shut me out of this part of his confidence.

And now on the road home from Clowance I carried an anxious heart as well as a sore. To tell the truth--that my Master was away--I had not been able, knowing how prompt Saint Aubyn and G.o.dolphin might be to take the advantage and pay us an unwelcome visit. ”And indeed,” thought I, ”if my Master hides one thing from me, why not another? The stuff may indeed be stored with us: though I will not believe it without proof.”

The Commissioner would come, beyond a doubt. To discover my Master's absence would quicken his suspicions: to deny him admittance would confirm them.

I reached home, yet could get no sleep for my quandary. But a little before the dawning, while I did on my clothes, there came a knocking at the gate followed by a clatter of hoofs in the courtyard; and hurrying down, with but pause to light my lantern, I found my Master there and helping the strange lady to dismount, with the porter and two sleepy grooms standing by and holding torches. Beneath the belly of the lady's horse stood her hound, his tongue lolling and his coat a cake of mire.

The night had been chilly and the nostrils of the hard-ridden beasts made a steam among the lights we held, while above us the upper frontage of the house stood out clear between the growing daylight and the waning moon poised above the courtlege-wall in the south-west.

”Hey! Is that Paschal?” My Master turned as one stiff with riding.

His face was ghastly pale, yet full of a sort of happiness: and I saw that his clothes were disordered and his boots mired to their tops.

”Good luck!” cried he, handing the lady down. ”We can have supper at once.”

”Supper?” I repeated it after him.

”Or breakfast--which you choose. Have the lights lit in the hall, and a table spread. My lady will eat and drink before going to her room.”

”'My lady'?” was my echo again.

”Just so--my lady, and my wife, and henceforward your Mistress.

Lead the way, if you please! Afterwards I will talk.”

I did as I was ordered: lit the lights about the dais, spread the cloth with my own hands, fetched forth the cold meats and--for he would have no servants aroused--waited upon them in silence and poured the wine, all in a whirl of mind. My Mistress (as I must now call her) showed no fatigue, though her skirts were soiled as if they had been dragged through a sea of mud. Her eyes sparkled and her bosom heaved as she watched my Master, who ate greedily. But beyond the gallant words with which he pledged her welcome home to Pengersick nothing was said until, his hunger put away, he pushed back his chair and commanded me to tell what had happened at Clowance: which I did, pointing out the ticklish posture of affairs, and that for a certainty the Commissioner might be looked for in within a few hours.

”Well,” said my Master, ”I see no harm in his coming, nor any profit.

The goods are not with us: never were with us: and there's the end of it.”

But I was looking from him to my Mistress, who with bent brows sat studying the table before her.

”Master Paschal,” said she after a while, as one awaking from thought, ”has done his business zealously and well. I will go to my room now and rest: but let me be aroused when this visitor comes, for I believe that I can deal with him.” And she rose and walked away to the stair, with the hound at her heels.

A little later I saw my Master to his room: and after that had some hours of leisure in which to fret my mind as well over what had happened as what was likely to. It was hard on noon when the Commissioner arrived: and with him Master Porson. I led them at once to the hall and, setting wine before them, sent to learn when my Master and Mistress would be pleased to give audience. The lady came down almost at once, looking very rosy and fresh. She held a packet of papers, and having saluted the Commissioner graciously, motioned me to seat myself at the table with paper and pen.

Sir Nicholas began with some question touching her business on board the _Saint Andrew_: and in answer she drew a paper from the top of her packet. It was spotted with sea-water, but (as I could see) yet legible. The Commissioner studied it, showed it to Master Porson (who nodded), and handing it back politely, begged her for some particulars concerning the wreck.

Upon this she told the story clearly and simply. There had been a three days' tempest: the s.h.i.+p had gone ash.o.r.e in such and such a manner: a great part of the cargo had undoubtedly been landed. It was on the beach when she had left it under conduct of Mr. Milliton, who had shown her great kindness. On whomsoever its disappearance might be charged, of her host's innocence she could speak.

My Master appearing just now saluted the Commissioner and gave his version very readily.