Part 10 (1/2)
”Good sir,” replied Garnet, noting that James proposed to conceal his ident.i.ty. ”Of whom speakest thou?”
”Of the rogues who accompanied me hither,” stormed the son of Mary, Queen of Scots; ”I followed a stag, and having outridden them they have thus deserted me; 'tis a thing beyond human comprehension.”
”And this,” thought Garnet, ”this is the King of England, who has pulled down our altars, driven out our religion and banished us.”
Despite all efforts his brow darkened.
But the ill temper of James subsided as quickly as it had arisen, leaving him for the time only a man who sought succor, and so made known his condition.
It chanced that riding in the forest, taking the lead of those who accompanied him, he followed the tracks of a stag and became separated from his companions; whereupon, being confused and terrified, he soon lost his way.
Garnet listened patiently, and made no sign that could lead the King to suspect that his personality was known, then pointed to his companions, who were sitting motionless upon their horses, with m.u.f.fled faces, awaiting the result of the Jesuit's unexpected action.
”Good sir,” said he, ”it will give me pleasure to conduct thee to the outskirts of the forest, after which, the road being plain, thou canst easily find thy way to the gates of London. Yonder servants of mine will ride behind us.”
James gladly accepted the other's offer, nor did it please him that the supposed Frenchman should learn he was a.s.sisting the sovereign of England. Pride and distrust governed him. Pride, lest a foreigner should bear away the tale of a king's discomfiture; distrust, lest, holding in his power so important a personage, the stranger might take advantage thereof for his own benefit. But it was not in the mind of Garnet to reveal his knowledge; so, side by side they rode in silence--the Jesuit and the King--for the s.p.a.ce of an hour, until, upon reaching the vicinity of London, whose lights twinkled in the distance, they separated, James galloping madly on, his companion awaiting the approach of Winter, Fawkes and Catesby.
There was much amazement and some anger in the minds of the two n.o.blemen, that the priest had acted in so unaccountable a manner.
Desirous of learning his motive for befriending one whom he professed to hate, they questioned him upon the subject. To all, Garnet replied briefly, bidding them wait a more befitting time, as it was his purpose, on reaching London to attend a meeting at the house of Sir Thomas Percy. Therefore they rode on in silence, the great clock in the tower of St. Paul's chiming the hour of eight as they pa.s.sed into the city.
At the corner of the street leading to the Gentleman-Pensioner's door a horseman confronted them whom they recognized as Percy himself. He had been waiting for them in an angle of the wall to say that certain officials having gathered at his house for the discussion of public business it would be unsafe to proceed thither.
”Then is the night lost,” said Catesby impatiently, ”for, although the Holy Father be provided with a hiding place within the city, and will, perchance, remain among us for the s.p.a.ce of two days, much weighty business besides long disputations, require his attention.
Thou shouldst have seen to it, Master Percy, that thy house was free from the hirelings of the King.” Percy would have replied in anger, but Sir Thomas Winter interrupted:
”Friend Guido, thou hast a dwelling in a quiet portion of the town, where perchance we might sit together for the discussion of such things as now concern us.”
Fawkes, who had scarcely spoken since meeting with the King in the forest, acquiesced in this proposition, although the thought of his daughter, the smallness of his house, and the nature of the conference caused some conflict in his mind. Yet, having resolved to serve the cause which he held so dear, his scruples speedily vanished, the more so that 'twas Sir Thomas Winter who requested the favor.
This matter being so quickly decided, Fawkes became the guide of the party, and turning into a narrow street which ended in a lane running behind his house, straightway brought his companions to their destination.
CHAPTER X.
THE FORGING OF THE THUNDERBOLT.
Upon reaching the gate which opened from the garden of his dwelling into the lane, Fawkes signaled his four companions to secure their horses and follow him. Having complied, he led them through the garden, unlocked the door and bade them enter.
”Faith!” whispered Catesby, pressing Garnet's elbow, ”friend Guido doth seem over cautious in leading us about so secretly.”
”Not so!” replied the Jesuit, ”'tis a gift born of much experience in a country where the careless rattle of a scabbard may lead to most serious results. But it is in my mind as in thine, that being peaceful gentlemen who have rendered some slight service to his Majesty the King, we might act with more boldness; yet caution is a jewel which, once attained, should not be lightly cast aside, and Master Fawkes doth cling to it.”
The voice of the soldier of fortune bidding them come on precluded the reply which arose to Catesby's lips, and crossing a narrow hall the hors.e.m.e.n entered a room whose cheerful brightness contrasted pleasantly with the darkness of the pa.s.sage into which they had been ushered.
After a.s.sisting his guests to remove their mantles, Fawkes placed before them cups and wine, added a fresh f.a.got to the fire, and turned to Sir Thomas Winter.
”My lord!” said he, ”I pray thee attend to the comfort of these gentlemen till I return. 'Tis my custom to inspect the house before retiring, lest any be astir, and to-night I deem it doubly prudent.”
”And who hast thou in the house, good Guido?” asked Garnet blandly; ”no one, I trust, who will interrupt our conversation?”