Part 16 (1/2)

He smiled at me. ”Did you ever see a man of peace in more unpeaceful place? Well, Senor Saunders, your plan has that daring which often cows success. It remains to be seen whether Arthur can by any means be brought to think of it: his pride will be afire at the thought--yes, that is it. Listen. If you can gain his acceptance--and you have no plan without it--I am with you, heart and soul.”

”Good!” says I. ”Shake hands on it. I sha'n't strike Arthur at once. I mean to work up the disagreement with Brother Belknap first. 'T will do no harm in any case if his head is punched.”

Perez laughed. ”You are warrior, pure and not so simple,” says he.

”Heaven send strength to your arm when you meet.”

”I ask no odds of top, bottom, nor middle,” says I. ”Give me a fair field.”

”There spoke a better spirit than Achilles of old times,” says Perez.

”So should I be, if I had an arm like that.”

”I'll bet there'd be some danger in you, my friend!” says I.

The light went out of his face. ”Mention it not,” he said sternly. ”Once it was my misfortune to kill a man--you are not offended at my speech?”

”Not on your family portraits!--but, of course, I couldn't know--you ain't put out, for your part?”

”Only what is right I should be--what is it your great poet says--'bears yet a precious jewel in its head'? So with me. To walk with a ghost has done me no harm. In pity for myself, I pity others. But this is a melancholy talk--come, I shall show you my pictures. Some are wonderful, all are good.”

So we went into the fine old house again and saw the paintings. They were beyond my calculations. Outside of the things Sax never finished and bar a chromo or two, I'd never seen a picture--I don't count the grandfathers' portraits at home--decent people enough, them and their wives, but not what you'd call beautiful except Great-Grandmother De La Tour--she was a corker.

Seeing that I enjoyed 'em, Perez explained the pictures to me, what were the good points. When I've told people the names on the pictures in Perez's gallery, I've simply been told I lied.

Next Perez said, ”You like music, Senor Saunders?”

”You bet!” says I. So he led the way into a room off the gallery. It was a long, high room rounded at one end, with an arched ceiling. The least whisper in there rang clear. At the round end was an organ. Perez called; a little Injun boy came to pump the organ.

Perez seated himself on the bench. ”Now,” said he, ”if only we had Arthur--foolish fellow! Here is this great house with only one small man in it! I beg him to live here, but he will not--he says he must live in a place rough, as you saw.”

”I'm inclined to think Sax knows his pasture, Mr. Perez,” I answered.

He nodded. ”I only spoke as I often do,” he said, ”of what I wish, instead of what must be--so little a change would make this so much better a world.” He thought for a second. ”An easier world,” he corrected; ”really it is better as it is--well, I am more musician than philosopher,--what will you, _amigo mio_? Something grand? military? of sentiment, or peace?”

”I tell you, Mr. Perez,” says I, ”I don't know anything about music.

Can't you play pieces not too high for me, yet good to listen to, so I feel it, and learn at the same time?”

He laughed as if I tickled him. ”There speaks that so practical Northern head,” says he, ”that will have the heart lifted and also a dollar in the pocket.”

”Am I foolish?” I asked. I never yet played being big before a man who knew something. When he _knows_ he sees your little play and despises you for it.

”Not foolish, _chico_,” says Perez. ”Only wise with a wisdom strange to me.” He wheeled and looked at me. ”A most strange young man you are; the strength of a giant, roaring health and no fool, and yet you will listen to an older man--you _wish_ to listen. Receive the thanks of an older man. The hope of such service is the one poor vanity remaining to him.

May time so deal with you that you shall never know the compliment you pay--listen!”

The old organ burst into a pride of sound. Big and splendid--steel and fair ladies--roses and sudden death. Made my heart get big and want to do something. Perhaps talking with Perez, his air of decent sadness, and his old-time way of speaking, kind of lofty for this date, yet never slopping over; and perhaps the beautiful old house with its hangings, pictures, and armor helped the music, but anyhow, as I listened, I had visions. I felt like a lost calf that's got back to the herd and a sight of mama. I was still in my dream when I realized the music had stopped and that Perez was looking at me.

”May I take a liberty?” said he. ”A resemblance has perplexed me since I met you.”

”Sure,” says I, waking up.