Part 15 (1/2)

CHAPTER VIII

EZRA MAKES UP HIS MIND TO A DANGEROUS VENTURE

The surly landlord of the ”Indian's Head” danced into the centre of his public room, the expression of fear expanding upon his face.

”Gentlemen,” he cried, appealing to Ezra and Pennington, ”I demand your protection. I am beset by this man, who would kill me in my own house.”

”If you prefer to have it so,” spoke Scarlett with a swis.h.i.+ng whir of his heavy blade, ”I will dispatch you upon the lawn if you are possessed of one, or, in default of that, in the public road. I am of a liberal nature, and would as well please you as not in the place of your taking off.”

His agile point followed the churlish landlord in his caperings.

”Sir,” cried the man, addressing himself to Pennington, ”I crave you to speak a word to this mad villain, who seems bound to spill my blood.”

Pennington arose and was about to remonstrate with the young soldier; but the latter stopped before he had well begun.

”Have the goodness to keep your place,” requested Scarlett, with a quick, fierce, unmistakable look. ”There are some things, perhaps, that I can be crossed in,” here the look grew significant, ”and made to appear cheap. But be a.s.sured, sir, that this is not one of them.”

At once Pennington sank back upon the settle and again the landlord resumed his capering before the swift-moving sword point.

”Now, rascal,” cried Scarlett, harshly, ”will you do as I ask? Faith, I'm playing you easily enough; in Muscovy they'd have had your life for half this show of stubbornness.”

”I tell you I know no such gentleman,” cried the landlord. ”How can I tell that which I know not?”

He whirled away before the brisk flash of the blade; and at the same time he continued, addressing Pennington, meaningly:

”I beg of you, sir, for the last time, to persuade this man to let be. I am but flesh and blood. I cannot withstand everything.”

Again Pennington seemed about to interfere; but once more the fierce glance of Scarlett awed him. Then the latter shortened his weapon and glowered at the innkeeper.

”And I call upon you for the last time to tell me who this man Pennington is!” he grated. ”Quick now!”

The landlord's eyes sought for a means of escape; but he was hard pressed to make use of any that presented themselves.

”I will tell,” he at length cried, desperately. ”The man you want is there.”

His trembling finger indicated Pennington, who turned a shade paler, but sat composedly enough. Scarlett's sword point fell; he turned upon Pennington and saluted him in a formal, military fas.h.i.+on, a satirical smile curling his moustache points upward.

”Sir,” said he, ”I am most pleased. I will not say that I expected as much, but I can say that I am not at all surprised.”

Ezra watched the spy curiously. He saw him swallow once or twice in an effort to speak. But finally he managed to resume control of his tongue.

”You have found me out, then,” said he, and he smiled in a sickly fas.h.i.+on. ”I was interested to see just how long it would take you.”

For all his speech faltered, his eyes were steady enough to threaten the innkeeper for betraying him. But the man returned the look defiantly.

”I'll not be sworded to death, and you sitting by at your ease, never lifting a hand,” he declared sullenly.

Scarlett turned quickly upon the man.

”You have done your share to the furthering of the acquaintance of this gentleman and myself, and I am obliged to you. So now, back to your scullery and let us hear none of your protestations.”