“But,” said I, sure at last that my own suspicions were correct, “why should a knowledge of your motives4 take him to Yorke?”
The patroon flushed with anger when he discovered how carelessly he had disclosed his secret. There seemed to be a moment’s hesitation5 in his mind as to what to do, but he saw plainly that I now understood the whole situation clearly. Patroon Van Volkenberg was a man who always acted with decision and at once. He saw that there was no use to brazen6 it out, and so he made a clean avowal7.
“I took you for a man of sense, but I see that you are a fool.”
I had had too long a time of training in keeping 316cool under adverse8 circumstances to mind a little fling like this.
“Your words to me yesterday on the way,” I said.
He snapped his fingers. “Mere practice. I wanted someone to practice on, otherwise I should have laughed in Bellamont’s face.”
This taunt9 was a home thrust, the more so since I had been completely taken in at the time.
“Well,” said I, with a hint of sarcasm10 in my voice, in spite of my desire not to rouse him yet. “If Louis knows this I should say that you—”
“What of me?”
“That you are in a bad way.”
“True,” he answered, totally unmoved. “I have been in a bad way for a long time; but I have the Earl on the hip11 now.”
“He has the deed to your estate.”
“I shall get it back. I gave him that to win his confidence. I never thought he would swallow such an open bait. I took so many men with me because I thought he would order my arrest. If I had known what a gull12 he would prove I should have got inside the fort with half the number. But the best is yet to come. Be ready to-night to go with me to Webber’s tavern13. I expect great news, glorious news; news that will shake Yorke to its foundation. In the meantime I must look for Louis.”
At that moment the door opened without a warning knock and Louis Van Ramm stepped 317across the threshold. For a moment the master and servant remained where they were without moving. The patroon sat in his great leather chair. In front of him was a table strewn with papers. A decanter of wine with a tray of glasses stood in the center, and lying close at hand, his long, sharp pointed14 sword. Within a yard of the door, glowering15 across the intervening table, was the sullen16 figure of the white-haired dwarf.
“Well,” said the patroon viciously after two minutes of this strained silence.
“Well,” echoed the dwarf.
“What do you come here for?”
“Money.”
“State your errand,” he cried, starting up in anger.
“That is easily done,” answered the dwarf, doggedly17, at the same time taking a cautious step or two forward. “Do not get impetuous,” he continued with a sneer18. “I have written out all that I know and have left the writing with my friends. I have come to ask what you will give me not to have the seals broken.”
If Louis had expected to find his master a prey19 to one of his usual fits of rage, he was disappointed. In a moment the patroon had overcome his first outbreak and smiled, leaning back upon the arm of his chair; then he dropped his hand cautiously on the table near the hilt of his sword.
“Now hearken, Kilian Van Volkenberg,” Louis 318began in an insolent20 tone. “I know why the Red Band is in the fort, and I know why William Kidd came here last night.”
The patroon had shown no emotion at the mention of the first of these facts, but the second seemed to startle him.
“So you were somewhere near about after all, were you?”
“I was in the bottom of the sideboard last night, and heard you discuss all your plans.”
“You lie,” said the patroon, yet he was calm withal. I could see the shadow of fear in his face, but he gave no sign of it by word or act. “Louis Van Ramm, you lie in your throat.”
“Perhaps, but I have written out the full account of all I heard, and my friends will break the seals at noon unless—”
“Unless what?” for Louis paused.
“Unless you pay me a thousand pounds.”
“I could pay that, you fool, but I know you lie.” The master’s voice was wavering and I knew he believed what he denied with so much confidence. “This tale does not take me in. It is impossible. You could not have overheard, and if you did there is nothing I would not be willing to have published.”
The dwarf looked at him in contempt. For a moment I doubted whether he really had any proof. It might all be a skilful21 lie to blackmail22 the patroon. But not so! Louis raised his finger slowly, pointing 319at his master. His mouth opened, but he waited maliciously23 before he spoke24, as if he knew well the fatal result of his next word. Then he snapped out suddenly, “Jacques.”
The effect was instantaneous. With a sharp cry of rage the patroon caught up his sword. He lunged forward before either of us had a moment to think what he was doing, and passed the sharp blade clean through the body of the dwarf. Louis toppled forward across the table without uttering a sound. The glasses shattered with a crash, and the wine from the decanter trickled25 out and mingled26 with the blood which I can hear to this day, as it rattled27 with a sharp sound on the papers which were everywhere about. The patroon stood mopping the sweat from his brow and looking down on the body of his henchman.
“Come with me, Vincent, come with me. If what this fellow said is true, I am in a trap indeed. Perhaps the papers are in his room, perhaps he did not write them, but let us see.”
We went to Louis’s room and ransacked28 every corner for some sign of the papers. We sounded the floor for loose boards. We tore open the bedding. We let no nook or cranny escape our vigilance. But nothing rewarded our search.
“Well,” muttered Van Volkenberg moodily29, “he must have told the truth. Someone else has the papers if they were ever written at all. Who had he for friends?” Then he swore a fearful oath, for 320he had thought of the Marmadukes. “If she comes against me—” He doubled his fists, but did not finish the sentence.
We went back to dispose of the body of Louis. When this was done the patroon prepared to summon the remaining members of the Red Band. I did not know what he wanted of his retainers, nor did I care. I remembered what Louis had said to me about the loose bricks by the oven and that I should look there in case of his death by violence. I resolved to do a little hunting on my own account and, sure enough, when I reached the place, I found two small packets, which I hastily concealed30 about me and retired31 to my room. One of the packets was marked “The Great Secret.” The other bore the date of that very day. I tore it open. Here is what I read:
“I heard the whole conversation between Van Volkenberg and Captain Kidd. The latter has come here to recruit the crew which is to take the Adventure out to sea to capture pirate ships. Van Volkenberg has agreed to furnish the eighty men needed to complete the crew. The agreement is that as soon as they are well at sea these men are to mutiny. Kidd is to give in without resistance. Then they are all to turn pirates. Van Volkenberg is to get a share of the booty and to start the rumor32 that this was Bellamont’s intention from the first. There was another plan disclosed”
The account stopped abruptly33, without even the 321formality of a period. Louis may have been interrupted in his writing and found no chance to finish, or he may have thought better and decided34 not to tell all he knew. Of this fact, of course, no one will ever know. I was about to break the seal of the second packet and read the Great Secret, when I heard steps in the corridor on the way to my door. The next moment there was a knock.
“Patroon Van Volkenberg wishes your presence in the hall,” said the messenger.
Five minutes later I was at the door of the assembly room where the remainder of the Red Band had already gathered and seemed to be waiting for my appearance. This was the first time I had seen them together by daylight, and as I glanced round upon their faces, several questions that I had often asked myself were partly answered. The lower class I had seen everywhere so far in and about Yorke were men whose independence of spirit and ability to think for themselves would not have countenanced35 such blind obedience36 to a leader as was shown by these men of the Red Band. But as I looked upon them now I saw the reason. Most of them were foreigners, all of them weather-beaten soldiers or sailors, who may have seen as many campaigns or more than I had seen myself. As soldiers they had had obedience drilled into their very bones. But there was another reason yet. Three of the men who stood nearest to me had each but one ear. Several more had letters branded upon their 322foreheads or upon their hands. I knew well enough what that meant. In a time when, on the continent, as well as in the colonies, mutilation was so common, I needed no one to tell me how many of the members of the Red Band had served their time in prison. Surely this was a lawless set of men. They spared no one, and every man’s hand was against them. The newness of the patroon’s attempt to assume rights that were no longer his may have been all that accounted for his criminal deeds being kept a secret thus far; but I thought, as I looked at these men, to whom could they turn if they once deserted37 their present master?
Van Volkenberg had drawn38 largely upon his followers39 when he garrisoned40 the fort. All of those who were left behind were now gathered in the hall before me. I had not long to wait to learn the purpose of the meeting. The patroon commanded silence. In a few words he reminded his followers of the oaths of service they had all taken to him. Then he explained that Captain William Kidd was about to set out on an expedition for the welfare of the province.
“My men,” continued the patroon, “a task is expected of you. I cannot now make known to you all the particulars of your new duty. I shall entrust41 my plans to Edward Baine and Harold Bromm. You know and respect both of these men. You must obey them as if I were there myself to give orders. Each man shall receive at the outset twenty 323pounds. The money has already been sent aboard ship. You must follow yourselves as secretly as possible before night. At midnight the anchors will be lifted and by sunrise you will be far from shore.”
He looked about him as if to note the temper of his audience. There was no dissatisfaction. Most of the men were already tired of the quiet times since the elections, and welcomed this chance of action. No question of its propriety42 seemed to enter their heads. They acted like machines, ready to come and go as their master sent them.
“Now,” continued the patroon. “In accordance with our general custom we shall take the oath of service together.
“Edward Baine, stand forth43. Do you solemnly swear to remain true to the brotherhood44 of the Red Band, to advance its interests with your life, so help you God?”
“I do, Amen.”
The oath was next administered to Harold Bromm. After that a clause was inserted binding45 the men to obey the orders of these two ringleaders. One after another the members of the band bound themselves to this new venture. At last there were but three left, myself and two others. I wondered whether the patroon intended to send me along with the rest on this mutinous46 expedition.
“Dick Ramsey, do you solemnly swear—”
The oath was duly sworn to.
324“Barnard Lee—”
He likewise assented47 to the oath.
All eyes turned upon me. The others looked expectant as if they too had thought of the same question that I had just put to myself. Perhaps even the patroon did not know what he would do till the moment came. He looked at me as if in deliberation with himself. There was a long pause, then I heard my name.
“Henrie St. Vincent, do you solemnly swear to remain true to the brotherhood of the Red Band, to advance its interest with your life, to obey Edward Baine and Harold Bromm in all things as they may command, so help you God?”
“I do not.”
The silence of amazement48 followed. I could not forbear to smile at the look on every face. Only the patroon appeared as if he had expected my answer. He was angry rather than surprised.
“Why not?” he cried petulantly49. “Why not, St. Vincent?”
“I do not care to leave Yorke,” I answered. “This duty is not within my understanding of what I promised when I took service. If you wish it, I will withdraw from the Red Band, but—”
“Withdraw! Such a thing was never heard of.”
There was a murmur51 of discontent throughout the room. Some spoke openly and bade me remember Ronald Guy. Disobedience had been a part of his offense52.
325I was standing50 close to the patroon and spoke to him so that no one else could hear what I said. “Do you intend to treat me as you treated your—” I was on the point of saying “your son,” but he cut me short.
“No, no, if you don’t want to go you need not. No one shall go against his will. Never mind, my men; you will lose a good blade, but I shall gain one. I really need him here after all. It cost me an effort to make up my mind to let him go.”
The patroon whispered to someone next him and after that two or three men left the hall. We were detained but a few moments longer. Then the men began to say good-by to their master. Only about one in ten of them lived on the estate. Some of these came to take his hand and even wept at parting. “You have been a good master. I’ll never forget when the old woman was sick,” said one. And another, “I’ll do my best for you. I’ve not forgot when my little boy died.” Truly this master was good to his own, save only when his malady53 was upon him.
I was much touched by what I had just witnessed. From the assembly room I went to my own. I was anxious to read the secret contained in the second packet which Louis had hidden in the oven. But I was to be interrupted once again. I had hardly closed the door behind me when I discovered that I was not alone in the room. A tall figure, completely robed in a black mantle54, stood 326in one corner. When I closed the door she stepped forward.
“Mistress Van Volkenberg,” I exclaimed, “what has brought you here?”
It took me several minutes to recover my self-possession. Miriam meantime dropped her cloak and stood blushing before me. Her voice trembled with confusion and she could hardly speak.
“Oh, what will you think of me?” she broke out after one or two attempts to speak. “But I could not help it. Listen to me and let me go. What have you done? My father has given orders to have you watched. In a few minutes you will not be able to get away; you must go at once.”
When she bade me go away and leave her there alone, I recalled a former occasion when I had resolved to protect this girl if need be against her father.
“Shall I leave you here?” I asked.
“Me? What have I to do with it? Go, go; do not stay; you must, you must.” She laid hold of my arm and tried to push me towards the door.
“Why do you want me to go?”
She became silent and the bright color came into her cheeks.
“You must go. I want you to save yourself.”
“I cannot go,” I answered.
“Why?”
“Because I love you.”
327She stepped backward as if frightened at my simple words.
“Mistress Van Volkenberg,” I continued, “I am a plain woer. I do not know how to tell you what I feel. My heart tells me that I love you, but how shall I make you know it? Bid me to do something. Prove my love. Do you care nothing for how I feel?”
She came a step closer. “I am a Catholic.”
“Does not that prove my love? You know what I have had to suffer from your church.”
“Yes, you have told me a little,” she answered. “But—”
I would have no buts. I caught both her hands in mine and gazed into her eyes wondering what she would say if she knew who I really was. For a moment she held away from me. Then I felt her sway gently forward.
“Do you love me, Miriam?”
“Yes.”
For a moment I held her in my arms. Her face lay close upon my shoulder. I could feel her heart beating quickly, and there was a sweet smell about her hair like fresh flowers. Then she whispered softly:
“Call me Miriam again.”
“My sweet Miriam.”
“Ah, Henrie—why do you start?”
She lifted her face to mine. I kissed her forehead before I answered.
328“I started because you did not call me by my name. My name is Michael Le Bourse.”
She looked at me with growing wonder in her eyes. “Michael Le Bourse? Ruth’s brother? He is dead.”
“No, he is not dead. You did not see his body at Marmaduke’s. You were deceived. He is alive and well, and I am he.”
As she gazed confusedly at me the wonder faded from her face. Then in a flash she seemed to comprehend it all. She broke from me and stood in the center of the room, burning with shame and anger.
“If you are Michael Le Bourse, what are you doing here?”
Oh, the sight was pitiful, both for her and for me. She stamped her foot madly.
“What are you doing here? Are you a spy in my father’s house? You wretch55, I see it now. You came here to avenge56 your sister. You tricked me into loving you. I hate you. I thought you were an honest man. The shame, oh the shame to have touched you. Is this your just religion? Where is your justice? In lying, in deceit, in being false to women? All, all to gain your own selfish ends. The dogs in my father’s kennels57 would hold better faith than that. Yet you judge others. You say we Catholics are untrue. God shield us, we are not ashamed to own our names.”
I tried to interrupt her. She only drew her skirts about her and edged off as if I were diseased.
329“Don’t speak to me. Your poor sister! If she were alive it would break her heart to hear of this. She used to talk about you. I have heard her speak so often of your honor. This would break her heart. Stand by and let me go.”
She moved towards the door, going by the edge of the room, so as to keep as far away from me as possible.
“Mistress Van Volkenberg,” I said when she was near the threshold, “there is much justice in what you say.”
“Of course there is much justice in what I say.”
“But you are not right in all. I cannot explain everything now, but let me tell you my resolution. I am willing to make amends58.”
“Amends! You cannot. You are false to perdition.”
“I can confess myself and give myself up to justice.”
“Yes, your justice. Go to your sweet Earl and say, ‘Faith, I’ve been a naughty boy, forgive me.’ And he will say, ‘Yes.’ I know him. My father would not stand his evil practice and that is why he left the council. So your horseback-riding governor is your amends, is it? I see you are a coward as well as a villain59. O God, can such men live and look like other men?”
“No, mistress, this is not what I intended to do. I intended to go to your father.”
“You dare not.”
330“That will be seen.”
She opened the door and was on the point of going out when she turned back.
“I believe you dare,” she muttered.
Then she came quickly to my side.
“Do not do it. It will do no good. It will throw him into a passion and he might—might—oh, fly, fly before it is too late.”
She spoke beseechingly60 and the anger in her voice was fading like the twilight61.
“But what interest,” I asked, “can you have in a villain and a coward?”
“None, none,” she replied, “but that such a worm should linger in our house.”
She swept haughtily62 from the room without so much as a glance behind her. Indeed I was rightly punished. My ungenerous answer had but trampled63 on her sweet good will. When she went out I felt as if all the light in my life went with her. Bitterly I reproached myself for my folly64—nay, worse than folly. But it was now too late to mend. I could, however, carry out my resolution. I could prove that I was not a coward. It was the more easy to do because I had already considered the question of making myself known to the patroon, be the consequences what they might. So, in this state of mind, fresh from the sting of her contempt and full of despair at my own foolishness, I sought the master of the house.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
dwarf
|
|
| n.矮子，侏儒，矮小的动植物；vt.使…矮小 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
motive
|
|
| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
garrisoning
|
|
| 卫戍部队守备( garrison的现在分词 )； 派部队驻防 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
motives
|
|
| n.动机，目的( motive的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
hesitation
|
|
| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
brazen
|
|
| adj.厚脸皮的，无耻的，坚硬的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
avowal
|
|
| n.公开宣称，坦白承认 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
adverse
|
|
| adj.不利的；有害的；敌对的，不友好的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
taunt
|
|
| n.辱骂，嘲弄；v.嘲弄 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
sarcasm
|
|
| n.讥讽，讽刺，嘲弄，反话 （adj.sarcastic） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
hip
|
|
| n.臀部，髋；屋脊 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
gull
|
|
| n.鸥；受骗的人；v.欺诈 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
tavern
|
|
| n.小旅馆，客栈；小酒店 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
pointed
|
|
| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
glowering
|
|
| v.怒视( glower的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
sullen
|
|
| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
doggedly
|
|
| adv.顽强地，固执地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
sneer
|
|
| v.轻蔑；嘲笑；n.嘲笑，讥讽的言语 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
prey
|
|
| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
insolent
|
|
| adj.傲慢的，无理的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
skilful
|
|
| (=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
blackmail
|
|
| n.讹诈，敲诈，勒索，胁迫，恫吓 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
maliciously
|
|
| adv.有敌意地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
spoke
|
|
| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
trickled
|
|
| v.滴( trickle的过去式和过去分词 )；淌；使)慢慢走；缓慢移动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
mingled
|
|
| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
rattled
|
|
| 慌乱的，恼火的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
ransacked
|
|
| v.彻底搜查( ransack的过去式和过去分词 )；抢劫，掠夺 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
moodily
|
|
| adv.喜怒无常地；情绪多变地；心情不稳地；易生气地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
concealed
|
|
| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
retired
|
|
| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
rumor
|
|
| n.谣言，谣传，传说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
abruptly
|
|
| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
decided
|
|
| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
countenanced
|
|
| v.支持，赞同，批准( countenance的过去式 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
36
obedience
|
|
| n.服从，顺从 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
deserted
|
|
| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
drawn
|
|
| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
followers
|
|
| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
garrisoned
|
|
| 卫戍部队守备( garrison的过去式和过去分词 )； 派部队驻防 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
entrust
|
|
| v.信赖，信托，交托 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
propriety
|
|
| n.正当行为；正当；适当 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
forth
|
|
| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
brotherhood
|
|
| n.兄弟般的关系，手中情谊 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
binding
|
|
| 有约束力的，有效的，应遵守的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
mutinous
|
|
| adj.叛变的，反抗的；adv.反抗地，叛变地；n.反抗，叛变 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
assented
|
|
| 同意，赞成( assent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
amazement
|
|
| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
petulantly
|
|
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
standing
|
|
| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
murmur
|
|
| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
offense
|
|
| n.犯规，违法行为；冒犯，得罪 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
malady
|
|
| n.病，疾病(通常做比喻) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
mantle
|
|
| n.斗篷，覆罩之物，罩子；v.罩住，覆盖，脸红 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
wretch
|
|
| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
avenge
|
|
| v.为...复仇，为...报仇 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
kennels
|
|
| n.主人外出时的小动物寄养处，养狗场；狗窝( kennel的名词复数 )；养狗场 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
amends
|
|
| n. 赔偿 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
villain
|
|
| n.反派演员，反面人物；恶棍；问题的起因 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
beseechingly
|
|
| adv. 恳求地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
twilight
|
|
| n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
haughtily
|
|
| adv. 傲慢地, 高傲地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
trampled
|
|
| 踩( trample的过去式和过去分词 )； 践踏； 无视； 侵犯 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
folly
|
|
| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |