Part 21 (1/2)

”'Twas given me,” replied the footman, ”by a reasonably tall person who stood upon a corner of the street, and directed with much semblance of authority that I give it into thy lords.h.i.+p's hand and to no other.”

”'Tis a most unwonted thing,” said Monteagle, breaking the seal, ”probably some pet.i.tion for alms which----”

Then, on glancing over the sheet, he started, and turned to a gentleman beside him.

”Good Thomas Ward,” said he, ”'tis written in a most illegible and wretched hand which I can scarce decipher; neither bears it any date or superscription. I pray thee take and read aloud, that all may hear and pa.s.s opinion upon so strange a matter.”

Ward accepted the paper, and smoothed it out upon his hand. ”It seems the writing of a laborer,” said he, ”one who doth wield a pick and spade with more ease than a quill. A most unmannerly jumble of ill-conditioned words, as thou shalt judge, my lord, upon hearing.” So saying he read aloud as follows, while the others sat and listened:

”My lord out of the love I beare to some of youer friends I have a cayer of youer preservation therefor I would advyse yowe as yowe tender youer lyfe to devyse some excuse to s.h.i.+ft of youer attendance at this parleament for G.o.d and man bathe concurred to punishe the wickedness of this tyme and thinke not slyghtly of this advertisment but retyre youer selfe into youer country where yowe may expect the event in safty for though there be no appearence of any stir yet I say they shall receyve a terrible blowe this parleament, and yet they shall not see who hurts them. Thys cowncel is not to be condemed because it may do yowe good and can do yowe no harm, for the danger is pa.s.sed as soon as yowe have burnt the letter, and I hope G.o.d will gyve yowe the grace to make good use of it to whose holy protection I commend yowe.”

”A most amazing doc.u.ment,” said Ward, as he returned it to Monteagle; ”and what think you of it, my lord? canst detect the meaning of so strange a warning?”

His lords.h.i.+p contracted his brow and studied the writing with much attention. ”'Tis as you perceive,” said he, ”a warning unto me that some unexplained danger lies in the way.”

”A boorish jest,” cried one at the table; ”think not upon it, my lord.”

”Which is proved beyond doubt by the action of the one who brought it,” said another; ”he dared not deliver it at the door.”

Monteagle folded the letter carefully and thrust it inside his doublet. There arose in his mind suspicion that in the tenor of the message lay the verification of the warning to Lord Salisbury, and that, mayhap, beneath the apparent serenity of the kingdom, smoldered a volcano which needed but the touch of a directing master hand to send belching forth its contents of treason and blood. Into his mind came also the words of the Prime Minister spoken one afternoon several months before, that should aught be unfolded of plots or treasonable designs, they should be disclosed to him, and thus the danger to the State be averted.

He had therefore a feeling of relief when the meal was ended, and his companions left him to carry out his intention. The raw October night was filled with storm and blackness, but the spirit of Lord Monteagle burned within him to lay before Salisbury and, perchance, the King, the warning which had come to him.

Scarce a quarter of an hour elapsed after rising from the table ere, covered by a great cloak, booted, and with a stout rapier girt at his side, he left Hoxton House unnoticed, and turned his steps toward the dwelling of the Prime Minister. Although the hour was late Cecil had not retired when he received the announcement that Monteagle sought an interview. Surprised at so unusual an occurrence the Minister hastened to greet his visitor, ordering, as was his custom, that a light repast be set before him.

”And what now, good Monteagle?” asked he, looking at his companion with a smile, ”hast thy digestion played thee false again?”

”Of that thou shalt judge, my lord,” replied Monteagle, taking the letter from his doublet and handing it to the Minister.

Salisbury mastered its contents with an aptness peculiar to himself.

”Faith!” said he, letting his eyes rest searchingly upon the face of his companion, ”and how camest thou by this thing, my good lord?”

Monteagle related briefly the scene at the supper table.

”And didst thou have the letter read aloud, in the presence of thy gentlemen?” asked the Minister.

”Its contents were unknown to me,” replied the other; ”the writing was obscure and I did request Thomas Ward to decipher it.”

Salisbury pondered for a moment. The warning of danger threatening those who would sit at the opening of the coming Parliament perplexed him, and drawing nearer to a light he studied the letter carefully.

”Thou hast done well,” said he, suddenly turning to Monteagle, ”in placing this paper in my hands without delay, yet----” he laid a finger on the letter, ”perchance 'tis nothing, or--there may be much behind these ill-written lines. Thou perceivest that herein is written: 'for the danger is pa.s.sed as soon as you have burned the letter!' What then can be the use of such a warning? as, hadst thou put the sheet to fire, there had been no danger.”

”'Tis beyond my comprehension,” replied Monteagle, ”'tis a riddle.”

Salisbury looked up quickly. Despite his a.s.sumed indifference at the time, the former conversation with the ex-Catholic n.o.bleman had aroused in his mind suspicions that some danger might lurk beneath the calm which had lulled the King into a feeling of security. He understood well that, although there had been no open manifestations of treason on the part of zealous adherents to the Catholic faith in England, there were among them men who but awaited opportunity to show in no gentle way, their displeasure at the policy of James. He remembered also, that Monteagle had been a Catholic, though now a firm partisan of the government and in high favor at Whitehall. Might it not be possible that some knowledge coming to him of a plot against the State, and, not wis.h.i.+ng to openly accuse his former compatriots, he had taken a more subtle way, seeking by veiled warnings and hints, to arouse suspicion in the other's mind, and so lead to some action on the part of the government? Yet, it was not in accordance with his policy to reveal his real thoughts; therefore, again thanking the other for his zeal with reference to the letter, he dismissed him with a promise that the matter should not be forgotten.

After Monteagle had left he again studied the missive, endeavoring to read between the lines, and bringing all his wit to bear upon the meaning. Then, as it was his custom to work quietly and without haste, for six days he held the doc.u.ment before making it known to the King.