Part 19 (1/2)

”As Fawkes hath told me, some six and thirty barrels,” replied the watchman; ”enough, methinks, to send all London up to the stars.”

”And the King, also,” whispered Winter in Fawkes' ear, and added, ”let us to the room above. My stomach hath small liking for thy cellars.”

Percy was already half way up the ladder, and the others quickly followed. To the soldier of fortune and to Master Keyes, 'twas of little moment that they had stood in the presence of such an engine of destruction, which, if properly applied, would shake to its foundation the strongest structure in Europe. But in Winter and Percy, especially the latter, the presence of the gunpowder, thoughts of the purpose for which it was to be used, and the lives which must be sacrificed, overcame for the moment their fanatical zeal, and they withdrew with a feeling akin to horror. 'Twas truly the seed of death; and in sowing the wind might they not, themselves, reap the whirlwind?

A short time in the upper chamber restored their calmness, and they no longer seemed such fearful things, those grim barrels of harmless looking black grains, which might lie harmless for centuries, as they had seen them, or, at the touch of a single tiny spark, shake London as by an earthquake, vacate a royal throne, and exterminate in an instant the proudest government in Europe. Percy, of more gentle disposition than his companion, gazed into the face of Guido Fawkes with a feeling akin to awe. His was the brain which had suggested this terrific method for the destruction of the King and Parliament; his the voice that had p.r.o.nounced the words which laid bare the plan to Catesby, Winter and the others. If Fawkes had never come from Spain, perhaps----, but the subject of his gloomy thoughts was speaking in reply to a question put by Sir Thomas.

”Thou hast noted,” said he, ”that this dwelling lieth close to the river; so, 'twill be no great matter to remove the barrels from the cellar to the deck of a boat lashed beneath the window, and, if a dark night be chosen for the work, none, I warrant, will perceive the matter. What sayest thou, friend Robert?”

”That there is much of wisdom in thy speech,” replied the other; ”and once upon the boat, the channel to the sea, where will lie thy Spanish galley, is open. When, thinkest thou, the powder will be moved?”

”I know not,” replied Fawkes, sharply,--”in due time----” Then, turning to his companions: ”Gentlemen, having seen that which lies below, what may be your pleasure?”

”To return quickly,” replied Percy, relieved at the thought of escaping from such an ill-favored locality.

Keyes chuckled. ”Thou art in haste to quit my presence, and my pretty devil's powder, good gentlemen,” said he; ”didst sleep so near as we, perchance you would come to love it as Master Fawkes and I do. One spark from this weak lantern, and----”

”Come!” cried Percy, drawing his arm through that of Winter,--”we are satisfied; what need to tarry longer?”

In the street once more they, with Fawkes leading, hastened to gain a more populous section of the city. 'Twas to Winter's house they went, where Catesby was waiting impatiently. He, with Fawkes, had visited the house by the river on the night previous, therefore he fell into their discussion with good knowledge of the subject in hand.

”Thou shouldst have been a general,” said he to Fawkes; ”it scarce comes to me how so goodly a quant.i.ty of powder could be stored in yonder place without detection.”

”'Twas no great matter,” replied Fawkes, setting down the winegla.s.s Winter had handed him, ”a little here, a trifle there, requiring some weeks in the gathering; but now, as thou hast seen, there is enough.”

Winter laughed. ”Faith!” said he, ”I would fain not have thee for mine enemy, friend Guido; else, some fine night, while I dreamed not that danger threatened, my good dwelling would come to grief.”

Fawkes smiled grimly. ”Not so,” said he; ”if thou wert an enemy, and I had sworn to kill thee, 'twould be by other means,”--touching the hilt of his sword. ”What thou hast seen is reserved for kings and parliaments.”

”The powder is well stored,” broke in Catesby,--”what next?”

”That hath been attended to,” replied Percy. ”As thou knowest, certain events must transpire ere Master Keyes gives up his guardians.h.i.+p. To me has fallen the duty of looking into the matter. The cellar of the Parliament House must be reached ere further effect can come from our planning.”

”What hast thou decided?” asked Winter.

”Upon a simple solution of the matter,” replied the Gentleman-Pensioner. ”Foreseeing our course, I have made an agreement with one Henry Ferrers for the hiring of a dwelling close to the House of Parliament. The doc.u.ments are already signed and sealed. As in many houses, the cellar extends some feet below the surface of the street and, next it, lies the foundation wall of the House.”

”Then,” cried Catesby, ”we will play the mole; is it not so, good Percy?”

”Thou hast said it,” replied the other; ”to reach the cellar beneath the House of Lords we must pierce through the foundation. 'Tis of great thickness and the task will not be easy.”

”I am little used to delving,” growled Fawkes, ”but there is no other way.”

”And Garnet?” inquired Catesby.

”Garnet hath gone from London,” said Percy, ”nor will he return until the fuse has reached the powder. He is now at Coughton House to await such time as we shall summon him to join our forces.”

”And them hast all in readiness?” asked Winter.

”In the house of Henry Ferrers are tools for digging--picks, hammers and the like,” replied Percy.