Part 26 (1/2)

The proposal was received with a shout of approval by many, but some of the sailors cried out, ”No, no. No politics. We won't hear Cromwell insulted.”

This only led to louder and more angry shouts on the part of the others, and in all parts of the room men rose to their feet, gesticulating and shouting. The girl, who evidently did not understand a word that was said, stood looking with affright at the tumult which had so suddenly risen. In a minute swords were drawn. The foreign sailors, in ignorance of the cause of dispute, drew their knives, and stood by the side of those from the English s.h.i.+ps, while the foreign soldiers seemed ready to make common cause with the English who had commenced the disturbance.

Two or three of the latter leaped upon the platform to insist upon their wishes being carried out. The girl, with a little scream, retreated into a corner. Harry, indignant at the conduct to his countrymen, had drawn his sword, and made his way quietly toward the end of the hall, and he now sprang upon the platform.

”Stand back,” he shouted angrily. ”I'll spit the first man who advances a step.”

”And who are you, sir, who ventures to thrust yourself into a quarrel, and to interfere with English gentlemen?”

”English gentlemen,” Harry said bitterly. ”G.o.d help England if you are specimens of her gentlemen.”

”S'death!” exclaimed one. ”Run the scoundrel through, Ralph.”

In a moment Harry slashed open the cheek of one, and ran the other through the arm. By this time the fray had become general in the hall.

Benches were broken up, swords and knives were used freely. Just as the matter began to grow serious there was a cry of ”The watch!” and a strong armed guard entered the hall.

There was an instant cessation of hostilities, and then both parties uniting, rushed upon the watch, and by sheer weight bore them back out of the place. Harry looked round, and saw that the girl had fled by a door at the back of the platform. Seeing that a fight was going on round the door, and desiring to escape from the broil, he went out by the door she had taken, followed a pa.s.sage for some distance, went down a dimly-lighted stair, and issued through a door into the air. He found himself in a foul and narrow lane. It was entirely unlighted, and Harry made his way with difficulty along, stumbling into holes in the pavement, and over heaps of rubbish of all kinds.

”I have got into a nice quarter of the town,” he muttered to himself.

”I have heard there are places in Hamburg, the resort of thieves and scoundrels of the worst kind, and where even the watch dare not penetrate, Methinks that this must be one them.”

He groped his way along till he came to the end of the lane. Here a dim light was burning. Three or four other lanes, in appearance as forbidding as that up which he had come, met at this spot. Several men were standing about. Harry paused for a moment, wondering whether he had better take the first turning at random, or invite attention by asking his way. He determined that the former was the least dangerous alternative, and turned down the lane to his right. He had not gone ten steps when a woman came up to him from behind.

”Are you not the gentleman who drew a sword to save me from insult?” she asked in French.

Harry understood enough of the language to make out what she said.

”Yes,” he said, ”if you are the singer.”

”Good heavens! sir, what misfortune has brought you here? I recognized your face in the light. Your life, sir, is in the greatest danger. There are men here who would murder you for the sake of a gold piece, and that jewel which fastens your plume must have caught their eyes. Follow me, sir, quickly.”

CHAPTER XXV.

A PLOT OVERHEARD.

As the gypsy ended her warning she sprang forward, saying, ”Follow me, for your life, sir.” Harry did not hesitate. He heard several footsteps coming down the lane, and drawing his sword he followed his guide at a run. As he did so there was a shout among the men behind him and these set off in hot pursuit. Harry kept close to the girl, who turned down another lane even more narrow than that they were leaving. A few paces further she stopped, opened a door and entered. Harry followed her in and she closed the door behind her.

”Hus.h.!.+” she whispered. ”There are men here as bad as those without. Take off your shoes.”

Harry did as directed. He was in pitch darkness. Taking him by the hand, the girl led him forward for some distance.

”There is a staircase here,” she whispered.

Still holding his hand, she began to mount the stairs. As they pa.s.sed each landing Harry heard the voices of men in the rooms on either side.

At last they arrived at the top of the house. Here she opened a door, and led Harry into a room.

”Are you here, mother?” she asked.

There was no answer. The girl uttered an exclamation of thankfulness; then, after groping about, she found a tinder-box, and struck a light.