Part 15 (1/2)

”See here, cousin,” he said, infusing a touch of natural feeling into his voice, ”I swear to you, on the faith of a Ford, that I had not so much as the least suspicion of the horrid treachery about to be practised on you last night by these d.a.m.ned black devils. If I could have had any notice of what was going forward, I would have returned last night at all hazards, and delivered you. As regards Marian, I had the most sacred pledges from both Meer Jaffier and Lal Moon that not one hair of her head should be injured. I swear it.”

”You swear very plentifully, it appears to me,” I returned, preserving a tone of mere contempt and hatred; ”but I know not how your oaths can serve you at the present time. Thanks to your evil persuasions, the woman for whom you have many times pretended affection was last night brought to the very door of death, and is now ill and captive among the Moors. Me, your cousin, whom you first tempted to leave his home and friends, and have since betrayed and misused and many times attempted to slay, you see before you, in the power of those black fiends, as you call them, who appear to be your good friends. Had you not better prevail with them to put us both to death, and thus make an end of it?”

”No, by G----, Athelstane, you are wrong!” he exclaimed very earnestly. ”I bear you no malice, nor ever should have done, had you not set yourself up as my rival and thwarted me on several occasions--and I am a man that will not brook opposition. As it is, if I have ever attempted anything against you, it was in hot blood, and had I hated you ten times worse than I did, yet last night's business would have been too much for me to stomach.”

I gazed at him, doubtful whether to believe in his sincerity or no. It was difficult for me to refrain from some softening towards him as he thus spoke, and yet I asked myself whether these fair words were not the prelude to some new piece of knavery or treachery, for which he stood in need of my a.s.sistance.

He continued urging me.

”Have you forgot all those ties that are between us--our blood, and bringing-up in the same country, and the pleasant times we have had together when you were a youngster, and I was used to ride over to your house from Lynn, for my holidays? You were then content enough to call yourself your cousin Rupert's little squire, and if it were a question of robbing orchards or taking bird's-nests, you grudged to be left out. Can you not overlook the differences that have since arisen between us, and let us return to our former good comrades.h.i.+p and affection?”

Now I well knew that this man was a most accomplished villain, and an hour before I should have no more thought of sparing or making terms with him than with a speckled snake. Yet no sooner did he thus begin to wheedle me, than I found my just anger and hatred against him insensibly desert me.

”Why do you hold this language to me?” I said, as sullen as I could, so as to hide my secret relenting. ”What need have you of me now?

What fellows.h.i.+p can there be between a miserable prisoner in the Indians' power, and you, their trusted friend and servant?”

He gave me a significant glance, and then stooped towards me, whispering--

”No, cousin, you are mistaken there, I tell you again. Either these Moors have all along meant to play me false, or else they consider themselves betrayed by me in the matter of the treasure which they expected to find. Instead of now enjoying their confidence, I find I am looked upon with distrust. They tell me nothing, and no longer consult with me about their dealings with the English. I tell you fairly, I am uneasy to find myself so much in their power as I am, and if I could I would gladly make my peace with my fellow-countrymen, and enter the service of the Company.”

This confession sounded to me sufficiently probable to be believed. I could now see plainly enough what was Rupert's object in thus seeking to be reconciled with me. It was because I was the only witness against him in the English camp, able to denounce the crimes and treasons which he had committed, to the governor and his council. It was evidently necessary for him to have some person to answer for him, in case he should seek service with the Company, and for this reason, I concluded, he had decided that it would be of more profit to him to have my friends.h.i.+p than to get rid of me altogether.

With these thoughts I suffered myself to entertain his proposals. But there was another question of more importance to me than Rupert Gurney's friends.h.i.+p or enmity.

”What of Marian?” I demanded. ”Were you not the person who came for her this morning, and led her out of the fort?”

”No!” he cried, much disturbed. ”Do you know what has happened to her?

I have inquired everywhere, and been unable to gather the smallest information. It is this which has convinced me that I no longer possess the confidence of those about the Nabob. And I fear----”

He stopped, biting his lips, and looked at me, as if he would know what I suspected. I returned his look with interest.

”And I, too, fear,” I answered solemnly. ”And pray heaven that my fear is unfounded, for if it should turn out otherwise, after your persuading her to trust in your protection, I tell you plainly, Rupert Gurney, that I will never rest till I see you dead at my feet.”

Though I thus threatened him, nevertheless I believed that he was really at a loss and anxious to find out what had become of Marian. He presently said to me--

”I will go now and make a further search, and if I hear any news, will let you know. And do you, on your part, trust me. If in the meantime I can do anything to effect your release, I will.”

With that he went off. About the same time an order arrived for our removal, and we were carried away to another part of the fort.

Whether in consequence of my cousin's representations or of Meer Jaffier's, as is more probable, Surajah Dowlah suddenly decided to release all his English prisoners, except three or four of the princ.i.p.al ones, including Mr. Holwell. This intelligence was brought us about supper time, and an officer shortly after attended, to make the selection of those who were to be continued in captivity.

Not apprehending that any importance could be attached to me, I rose joyfully to go out with those who were being dismissed, when, to my surprise, the officer told me in their language, very sharply, to keep my place.

”But why do you seek to detain this young man?” inquired Mr. Holwell.

”He is not a person of any consequence among us.”

The Moor shook his head.

”This youth is to be kept in the Nabob's hands because he is a friend of Sabat Jung's,” he answered.