Lawrence Clavering

by A. E. W. Mason

  CHAPTER XXI.

  I TRAVEL TO CARLISLE AND MEET AN ATTORNEY.

  It was a lonely business whereto I now was set, but in truth it islonelier in the recollection than it was in the actual happening. As Isit over my fire here on a winter's night, I begin at times to wonderhow I went through with it. I remember the incessant moaning of thesea,--for I followed my old plan, only with a greater precaution, andkept along the coast until I was nigh upon Whitehaven--and discover aloneliness in the thought that it was carrying Dorothy from me toFrance; I find, too, an overwhelming desolation in the knowledge thatshe and I had spoken the last good-bye, and a melancholy atop of thatin the cheerfulness of our parting. But these notions are but the mossthat gathers upon recollections. The sea brought no loneliness home tome,--rather it crooned of Dorothy's safety, nor was I conscious thenof any desolation in the knowledge that my eyes would not againrejoice in the sight of her, for that very parting raised me out of myslough more nearly to her level; and as for the cheerfulness--why,just in that way would I have had her part from me. I believe, indeed,that I was more sensible of her presence on that journey fromRavenglass to Carlisle than ever I had been, even when her voice wasin my ears or the knocking of her shoes upon the stones.

  Moreover, there were two very immediate questions which pressed uponme, and saved me from much unprofitable rumination about myself.Dorothy had spoken of Anthony Herbert "waiting his trial," when sheherself was in Carlisle, and that was over a month ago. Was he stillwaiting, or was the trial over? I had no means of resolving thatquestion, and many a night I lay awake in some barn or outhouse,blowing on my frozen fingers to keep them warm, and casting up theprobabilities. I was thus in a perpetual fever lest, after all, myintentions should be thwarted by a too late arrival. And to make thematter worse, I was compelled to practise every precaution, lest Ishould be recognized. Of which there was, to my thinking, no smalldanger, for in the first place my flight from Blackladies had made, asI knew, some noise in these parts, and moreover I had ridden openly onthe march to Preston.

  So here was my second question: Could I reach Carlisle a free man? forthat I deemed to be an altogether necessary and integral part of mydesign. Once a captive, I was foredoomed already upon my own account,and any plea that I might urge on behalf of Anthony Herbert would winthe less credit, since it would be made at no cost whatever to me whomade it. If, however, I could come undetected there, and so givemyself up, why, the voluntary relinquishment of life might haply betaken as a guarantee and surety for my word. Consequently I wasreduced to a thousand shifts to avoid attention; I went miles about tocome upon a solitary inn, and more often than not, when I reached it,my heart would fail me, and I would take to my heels in a panic, or atbest gulp down the hastiest meal, and pulling my coat about my ears,front the cold night again. It was then a good twelve days after the_Swallow_ had lifted anchor and sailed down the coast, that I creptone dusky evening through the Botcher Gate into Carlisle; and whatwith the fear of capture and the fevers of delay, the endless fatigueto which during these many weeks I had been exposed and theinclemencies of the season, you may be sure I was in a sufficientlypitiable condition. I repaired at once to the market-place, andpicking out the most insignificant tavern, learnt therein, over aglass of brandy from my host, that I was as much as a week in advanceof my time. The news was an indescribable relief to me; and going out,I hired a mean lodging in a little street near the Horse Market, whereI would lie that night, and determine on my course. For since I hadyet a week, I thought that I might dispose of some portion of thattime to the best advantage, by discovering the particulars of thecharge which Anthony Herbert would have to meet. In which task Idid not anticipate a very great difficulty, inferring, from whatDorothy had told me, that, what with the speculation his picture hadgiven rise to, I should find his case a matter of common gossip.Accordingly, in the morning I bought at a dealer's a suit of clotheswhich would befit an apprentice, and tying my own hair in a cheapribbon, which I was able to do, since I had discarded a peruke forconvenience' sake after I left Blackladies, and changing my boots fora pair of shoes, I walked across the town towards the castle, in thehope that, either amongst the loiterers at the gates, or in the meadowby the river, I might discover something to my purpose.

  In this Fortune favoured me, for though I learned little or nothingupon the first day, about three o'clock of the afternoon upon thesecond, while I stood in the open space betwixt the castle and thetown, a little brisk gentleman came stepping from the gate-house andglanced at every one he passed with a great air of penetration, as whoshould say, "My friend, you have no secrets from me." He shot the sameglance at me, though with more indifference, as though from habit hewould practise it upon any who came in his way, be they mereapprentices. It was he, however, who was the one to be discomposed.For up went his eyebrows on the instant and his mouth gaped. He didnot, however, stop, but rather quickened his pace and passed me. A fewyards away he stopped to exchange a word with an acquaintance, but Inoticed that he cast now and again a furtive glance towards me. Mycuriosity was fairly aroused, and being reluctant to lose any occasionthat might serve me, I drew nearer and loitered in his vicinity untilsuch time as the conversation should have ended.

  Dismissing his acquaintance, he turned of a sudden.

  "It is a disappointing place--Carlisle," he began abruptly; "the grassgrows in the streets, which, I take it, are the dirtiest outsideBagdad, and the houses, what with their laths and clay and thatch, areas little reputable to the eye."

  I knew not what in the world to make of this strange beginning, and sostared at the man in perplexity.

  "You will have been sorely disappointed," he suggested, "for I am toldthat, on the contrary, the streets of Preston are very clean andspacious, and the houses built with some taste."

  "It seems you know me," said I, starting forward.

  "It has almost that air," he replied with a spice of mockery; "I haveknown more effectual disguises than an apron and a pair of brassbuckles. But, indeed, had you dirtied your face, as you unwiselyomitted to do, I should have known you none the less."

  He stood with his head cocked on one side, enjoying my mystification.

  "I have no doubt, sir, of your discernment and penetration," said I,thinking to humour him; "but since I cannot call to mind that you andI have ever met----"

  He came a step nearer to me, and with a roundabout glance, to see thatno listener was within earshot:

  "There is a pretty unmistakable likeness of you yonder"--he jerked hishead towards the castle--"though maybe the expression wants repose;moreover, I could not hear that you were taken prisoner, and so wasinclined to expect you here."

  "Then who in the world are you?" I exclaimed.

  "Mr. Nicholas Doyle," said he, "and a lawyer of too much repute to beseen publicly hobnobbing with a rascally apprentice without questionsasked. So if you please, you will just walk behind me until I come tomy house, and when I go in at the front door you will slink round tothe back."

  These directions I followed, and was shown up the stairs to the firstfloor, whereupon Mr. Doyle locked the door and drew a screen beforethe keyhole.

  "Now, Mr.--Mr. Whitemen, shall we say?--for though your face is littleknown, your name has been heard here--I may offer you a chair;" whichhe did, drawing it politely to the fire, and therewith offered me hissnuff-box, but "without prejudice to his politics," as he said. For"none of your scatterbrained, romantical flim-flam for me," said he."An honest Whig, my dear sir. By the way," and his eyes twinkledslyly, "I trust you did not find my staircase very dark?"

  I was not in the humour to take any great pleasure in his witticism,as may be imagined, and I replied simply--

  "You know the whole story, then?"

  "Part the husband told me," said he, nodding his head, "part the wife.I pieced it together."

  "The wife!" I exclaimed. "Then Mrs. Herbert is here--at Carlisle?"

  "Doubtless," he returned; "where else?"<
br />
  "I did not know," said I.

  It was Mr. Doyle's turn to look surprised.

  "But," said he, "she left word for you at Keswick. It was for thatreason I told you I was not greatly surprised to come upon you."

  "Nay," said I, "I have not been to Keswick. I learnt Anthony Herbertwas here--well, from other sources. But," and I started forwardeagerly in my chair, "Herbert must then have sent for her;" and Ispoke joyfully enough, for of late, and in particular since I hadknown where Herbert lay, I had begun to reflect that, after all, hisenlargement, could that be brought about, did not altogether patch upthe trouble.

  "No," answered Mr. Doyle; "Herbert only talked of her. I sent forher."

  "I may thank you for that," said I. "They are reconciled?"

  "It is a delicate point," said he, "how far. My client, it appears,was persuaded by that worthy gentleman, Jervas Rookley, that--well,that there were more solid grounds for his jealousy than actuallyexisted. It is true Rookley has shown something of his hand, but notall of it. We are in the dark as to his motives, and Mr.Herbert--well, doubtless you have some notion of the whimsies of a manin love. Now he is in the depths of abasement, now he is very haughtyon the summits of pride. A man in love! My dear sir, a man in love isvery like a leg of mutton on my roasting-jack in the kitchen. First hespins this way, then he spins that, and always he is in the extremityof heat whichever way he spins. He is like the mutton, too, in hislack of sense, and in the losing of the fat; and very often, when heis roasted through and through, my lady serves him up for thedelectation of her friends. Believe me, Mr. Clavering"--he checkedhimself, but the name was out of his mouth--"when next you figure onthe jack, you will do well to bear in mind my simile. A leg of mutton,my dear sir."

  Now, I had good reason to find his simile uncommonly distasteful, themore because I had a like reason for knowing it to be unjust; and,perhaps with more heat than was needed, I answered--

  "For my part, I have no objection----"

  "To a man in love!" said he, taking me up. "Nor I, indeed. On thecontrary, I hold him in the greatest esteem, not so much, perhaps, forhis falling in love, as for his consequent falling out of it, wherebycomes much profitable litigation."

  "Well," said I, anxious to put an end to his discourse, "your advice,Mr. Doyle, may be the best in the world; but you offer it to a man whowill never find occasion for pursuing it." And at that his face becamegrave. "Let us get to the root of the matter. You tell me JervasRookley has shown his hand. In what way?"

  "Why, he is to be the chief witness for the crown. It was he who laidthe information against Herbert. And, you will observe, he is a strongwitness. For what object had he in view, if he did not believe theinformation? What had he to gain?"

  "I will not say that he did not believe it," I returned; "I will notsay that he does not believe it. But I know very well what he has togain, and that is, the estate of Blackladies."

  And I told the lawyer of the double game which Rookley had played.

  "One way or another, whichever king sat the throne, he was to recoverthe estate," I continued. "If the Hanoverian won, why, I was to beexchanged for it; but since he thinks I have slipped through hisfingers, he will be eager to make Herbert my substitute."

  "Yes," said the lawyer, thoughtfully; "but there will be only yourbare word for this."

  "But I shall have sacrificed my life to speak it," I said anxiously.For this very point had greatly troubled me.

  "No doubt that will carry weight," he assented, "but enough--I do notknow. It will, however, serve to bring about that reconciliation whichseems so to weigh with you. Look! There is a copy of the indictment;"and running over to a bureau, he brought it back and thrust it into myhands.

  I read it through carefully, from the beginning to the end.

  "You will see," said he, "that no direct act is alleged beyond thepossession of that medal."

  "That is mine," said I.

  "Can you prove it?" said he. "It was found in Mr. Herbert'sapartments."

  I thought for a moment, and with a cry sprang to my feet:

  "Indeed I can," I cried; "I can prove it" And I told him how.

  "Good!" he exclaimed, in a voice which topped my own; and then--

  "Hush!" he whispered, in the greatest reproach; "you should have morediscretion, you should indeed." And very cautiously he unlocked thedoor, and then flung it violently open. The landing, however, wasclear.

  "You see, Mr. Whitemen, there is much we have to fight against apartfrom the charges. There is the apparent honesty of Mr. Rookley, andmoreover there is this rebellion which calls for examples, and you mayadd to our difficulties a Cumberland jury. You will remember that wemarched out against you at Penrith, four thousand strong. That willteach you the temper of the county."

  "I do not remember," I replied, "that your four thousand stayed toexchange opinions with us."

  Nicholas Doyle laughed good-naturedly.

  "It is a hit, I will not deny," said he. "But what if they hold to theplan, and decline to exchange opinions when they are in the jury-box,eh, my friend? what then? So you see there are dangers. With your helpwe may just save my client, but it will be by no more than the skin ofhis teeth. Without you we may as well submit to a sentence at theoutset But," and he spoke with a voice of the deepest gravity, "allthis, which makes your evidence of the greatest value to us, rendersit fatal to you. I do not mince words; I set the truth frankly beforeyou. Your evidence may serve Mr. Herbert's turn,--but there is no morethan a chance of that--it will most certainly send you to anignominious death. Every word you will speak will be a plea of guilty.And mark you, there is but one punishment for treason. It will be nostepping on to a scaffold, and reading a few protestations, andkneeling down at the block, as though you just condescended to leavethe world. No, you will be drawn through the streets, trussed hand andfoot, on a hurdle. Then they will hang you--for a bit, but not untilyou are dead. Then they will light a fire and take a knife to you--andit will seem, I fear me, a weary while before the end is reached!"

  "Good God!" I interrupted him, and snatched up my hat "Do you wish meto leave your client precisely to that same fate?"

  "Where are you going?" he asked in an incredulous tone, noticing mymovement.

  "To Carlisle Castle," said I.

  "I thought as much," said he, and took me by the arm. "I doubt if Ishould have said so much to you, had I not felt certain it would notweigh with you. But you are young, Mr. Clavering, very young; andthough I must count you a traitor, and deserving all this punishment,I could not send you to that fate without you had counted up thecost."

  "That is kindly said," I replied, and offered him my hand, which heshook very cordially. "But less than a fortnight ago I stood upon thesea-shore with never a soul in view and a ship's boat on the beach anda ship spreading its sails to set me over into France. I am not liketo be turned aside now."

  He looked at me with a certain shrewdness in his eyes.

  "This is a reparation which you purpose? A man of the world would tellyou there was no necessity for it."

  "But you do not say that?" I returned.

  "I say," and he paused for a second--"I say damn women!" he cried, andbrought his fist down upon the table.

  "Even in that amiable sentiment I cannot agree with you," I answeredwith a laugh. "And so I will make a call upon the Governor of thecastle."

  But again he caught me by the arm.

  "That would be the ruin of both of you. The Crown presses for anexample to be made. And Jervas Rookley, I think, from what youyourself have said, will move heaven and earth to keep you out ofcourt. If you go now to the castle, there is little likelihood of yourgiving evidence for Mr. Herbert; he must produce you at the trial, andnot a moment before."

  Thereupon he recommended to me to lie quietly in my lodging during theweek, and come not out except to see him now and again of a night Athis bidding, indeed, I repaired to his house on the following evening,and found a tailor there waiting for me. "For," said Mr. Doy
le, "wemust make the most of our advantages, though my heart aches atdressing you up for the slaughter. But it will make a differencewhether a lad in an apron and brass buckles gives himself up, or aproper young gentleman, with an air of means and dignity. Your wordwill gain credit with the jury. Lord! what a sight we shall have inthe spectacle of Jervas Rookley's face. By the way," and he turnedtowards me with a certain customary abruptness, "Jervas Rookley's facehas something changed since I set eyes on it before."

  "Indeed," said I, indifferently; "and in what way?"

  "It is marred by a scar."

  "A scar!" I cried, with considerable satisfaction. "On the right side?It should stretch from the cheek bone to the chin."

  "It does," answered Mr. Doyle, dryly. "I wonder how he came by it?"

  "Yes, I wonder," said I, reflectively, and chancing to look at eachother, our eyes met, and we laughed.

  "I think it very wise," said he, "that you did not surrender yourselfto the Governor of Carlisle Castle."

  This week passed monotonously enough for me, cooped up in my littleapartment. But I had a great hope to cheer me through its passage.For, I had come so near to the attainment of my one end, and in theface of so many difficulties, that I could not but believe thatProvidence had so willed it, and having willed so much, would willthat final issue which should crown the work; moreover, two daysbefore the trial, Mr. Doyle brought me news which enheartened meinexpressibly. It was a message of thanks from Anthony Herbert, and tothat message was added another from the wife, which showed me that thereconciliation had become an actual fact.

  On the eve of the trial I slept at the house of Mr. Doyle. Indeed,from his window I heard the trumpeters, and saw the judge's carriagego by; and so dressing myself the next morning in my new suit, withMr. Doyle fluttering about me like a lady's maid, I made my wayquickly to the Guildhall.