Part 62 (1/2)
Hagane stared one moment upon the speaker with lips that writhed backward, showing teeth like a baited boar. ”His Excellency is always prudent. See, gentlemen, for yourselves, that I have brought my wife.
Mr. Todd, have the doc.u.ment ready!”
With an almost imperceptible motion Hagane slipped from its nail the black, taut twine that held the lowered hood. It rattled back with the noise of the spokes of a giant fan. Yuki sat upright,--the full moon just behind her,--smiling. The little hands were clasped tightly in her lap. The coils of her orchid hair had the glint and sheen of the crow's wing.
”It is Yuki,--certainement!” screamed Pierre, in ecstasy.
”Hold back that paper!” roared Ronsard.
Todd stood on tiptoe. One long thin arm went up like the derrick of a dredging-machine. His hand held something square and white with a black blotch on it. The arm lowered. Hagane reached up, took the paper, and thrust it deep into the breast of his coolie robe.
”The paper--” groaned Ronsard; ”it is gone forever!”
”But Yuki,” cried Pierre, ”has come to be mine forever!”
”One moment, gentlemen,” said Hagane, again restraining Pierre. ”You were all present at the agreement between Monsieur Le Beau and me. The paper is now regained, and here is its price; here is Onda Yuki-ko.” He placed the shafts of the little vehicle on the lowest stair, and stepped out sheer upon the walk. Pierre, like an animal released, sprang to Yuki, knelt by her, caught her hands, and began whispering words of love.
Now for the first time Todd groaned aloud, and walked to a little distance. Ronsard followed him. But the j.a.panese stood immovable, his eyes on Yuki's face.
”My beloved, my beloved,--I know now that I have not believed in this ecstasy! But you are here! Come, dear one, you must be chilled in the night air. How quiet you are and pale! It must be the moonlight. And your little hands are cold! Why do you not speak, love! Are you trying to frighten me? This is not the time for dainty trickery! Speak, for G.o.d's sake! I have been so long on the rack my very soul is sore! Why do you smile so, and never change? Your cheek is colder than your hands.--O G.o.d, a thought is coming that will turn me, too, into ice! Yuki, Yuki, what strange thing is this rooted in your heart,--what grim hilt with twisted dragons? I see the crest of the Hagane clan! Yuki--Yuki--”
”She wishes the dagger not removed, Monsieur. It keeps her sacrificial robes--immaculate.” Hagane spoke like a machine.
Pierre, the other side of Yuki, rose to his feet. His eyeb.a.l.l.s swelled and rolled in the moonlight, giving him a look of frenzy. ”Who is that that speaks to me? Has night a voice? What spirit hides behind that mask?”
”Death,” said Hagane, calmly.
Pierre writhed beside the vehicle, and then became very still. The other listeners turned, expecting an outburst of maniacal grief,--perhaps a murderous a.s.sault on Hagane. Pierre's composure was more terrible than any speech. He smoothed one of Yuki's hands, and, after a pause, began speaking directly to her.
”So this has been his plan, dear? I might have guessed. He knew he was to kill you. Oh, the deed suited him! He called me a thief; but what has he not stolen? Wait for me somewhere, darling,--I cannot say just where it will be; but after--I will meet you. If sickness does not free me, I myself will loose this tortured soul and find you.”
”She died by her own hand. That dagger was already in her heart as you, with the stolen paper, left my room.”
”Oh, he is trying to hide,--to s.h.i.+eld himself behind you, poor little one!” said Pierre to the dead woman.
A shadow on the nearest hillock moved. Todd went nearer to examine it, but could see no living thing.
”Time presses,” said Hagane, speaking always in the same dull, hopeless way. ”Our bargain was clearly stated. Shall I now leave with you the body, Monsieur Le Beau, or shall I retrace my steps as I came, giving honorable burial to the Princess Hagane?”
”Le Beau, you cannot hesitate at such a question,” cried Todd.
”Pierre, Pierre, in the name of France, compromise us no further! You have done harm enough. Let the poor sacrifice go in peace!”
Pierre caught Yuki to him, his arm about her shoulder, her glossy hair, with the white flowers, strained against his heart. Like a trapped beast he defied them all.
”No, I'll not give her up. You are all false,--all have betrayed me. If I am to have nothing else, I keep at least the frail sh.e.l.l of what she was! Oh, I shall kiss--kiss--kiss--her into life, or myself into her cold, white death. Yes, go, you toad of h.e.l.l!” he screamed toward Hagane. ”Leave my price with me.”
”Though dead, she still has reputation--family honor,” Hagane said.
Pierre threw back his head for a derisive laugh. Just then a strange thing happened. From the hillock nearby a crouching shrub seemed to detach itself and spring. It was a man,--the old samurai Onda. Hagane had told him to be there. Before interposition could be made, he had thrown himself on Pierre, taken Yuki from his arms, thrown her back in the kuruma, and stood in an att.i.tude of menace between them. ”Keep your hands from my daughter! Keep your devil's hands from the Princess Hagane!”
”Shall we interfere?” whispered Todd to Hagane.