"My God! man! do you realize what you have said?" he exclaimed.
"I do," said Marbury; "and I am ready to prove it." He strode to the window. "Let Jamison and his mate come in!" he shouted.
At the same time, the Governor raised his voice.
"Herford!" he called, "the guard! the guard!—Your pardon, sir," addressing Brandon, "but the seriousness of the charge obligates it."
De Lysle had sprung up in indignation; Brandon stayed him with a gesture.
"I understand," he said, crossing his legs, with unconcern. "It is a proper precaution. If I were Long-Sword, there might be need for them. As I am not he, I must ask Mr. Marbury to produce his evidence at once. It is scarcely fitting, that Sir Charles Brandon rest under an imputation2 so serious, an instant longer than is required to disprove it."
"Let Jamison, and the mate, wait in the outer room until required," said Colonel Sharpe, to Herford who, at that moment, appeared at the head of[Pg 321] the guard.—"Now, Mr. Marbury, we are ready to hear your proofs."
"Your Excellency knows of the attack on Hedgely Hall," Marbury said, "and the capture of their leader, who, by his own admission to me, was Long-Sword—also, of his escape, after killing3 his guard. I had every chance to observe him, during the long colloquy4 concerning ransom5, and, afterward6, on the ship. The voice, the face, the build, every action of the man is the same. I identify him, beyond question. And more, I have had no communication with Jamison and his mate, their ship brought me here, and I have sent for them—I have not seen them. They have never seen Sir Charles Brandon. I am willing to submit the case on their testimony7. Let them confront him. If they do not sustain me, I will withdraw the charge, and apologize, most humbly8."
The Governor turned to Herford, who, sword drawn9, was standing10 by the closed door, and nodded for him to admit Jamison.
The skipper entered, hesitatingly, and halted just within the room. The soldiers, the Governor's mansion11, the unfamiliar12 surroundings, the sudden summons, the mystery of it all had produced their natural result. He was frightened.
"Jamison," said Colonel Sharpe, "will you do us the favor to look at the gentleman, immediately on your left, and tell us whether you have ever seen him."
[Pg 322]
The skipper turned, slowly; at the same instant, Marbury threw back the hangings from the window, and the morning sun flooded the apartment.
"Good God!" he exclaimed, starting back. "It is Long-Sword! Long-Sword the Pirate!"
"That will do," said the Governor; "stand aside. Now, summon the mate."
He also entered, slowly, as though doubtful of his reception, his hat held nervously13 in his fingers, his eyes shifting rapidly from side to side, yet appreciating nothing. When the Governor spoke, he jumped as though he had been struck, instead, and the question had to be repeated before he understood its tenor14. Then he wheeled, suddenly—and came face to face with Brandon.
Instantly, he let out a yell, and sprang clear to the other side of the room.
"Long-Sword! Long-Sword!" he cried.
Brandon laughed, lightly.
"Long-Sword must have been the very devil!" he said. Then, he became grave. "Surely, your Excellency will not view too seriously what must be a very striking resemblance between this pirate and myself. But, that you may be relieved of all embarrassment15, I am willing to go to England under guard. There, that I am Sir Charles Brandon can be instantly attested16 by any one at Court, his Majesty17, himself, included. If you do this, I will give you, in addition, my parole that I will not seek to escape."
[Pg 323]
"Why should you do it?" exclaimed De Lysle, seeing the play, and seeking to aid it.
"Because it is proper that I should aid his Excellency in his perplexity," Brandon said. "Three witnesses name me as Long-Sword; it is absurd, and the quickest way to prove the absurdity18 is to send me home for identification. It is the penalty I pay, for being a pirate's double."
"Will you be satisfied, if I send him to England under guard?" the Governor asked Marbury.
"No, I am not satisfied," was the answer. "He may, in truth, be Sir Charles Brandon, but that does not prevent him from being Long-Sword, too. By his own admission (I heard it, as I stood in the outer room), he has not been home for four years, and he has had no word from England in the interim19. Why?—Why?—Where has he been these four years?—what doing? It is just about that period since Long-Sword the Pirate appeared. Strange coincidence, is it not, when you consider the resemblance?—and the further fact, that he is discreetly20 silent as to his whereabouts during these four years. I was willing to let him go, when he escaped. I wanted no further bother concerning him. But, when he actually has the effrontery21 to invade your Excellency's house, as a guest, and impose upon the good people of this Province, I say, let him be punished. No, sir, I am not satisfied to have him sent home, and then released, if he be identified as Brandon."
[Pg 324]
The Governor nodded, gravely.
"What have you to say, monsieur, to the proposition, that you could be both Sir Charles Brandon and Long-Sword?" he asked.
Brandon raised his hands, expressively22.
"That may be true," said he. "But an English gentleman, of means, is not likely to become a pirate."
"Your Excellency," said Jamison, coming a step forward, "might I be permitted to say something?"
Colonel Sharpe turned to him, with a frown.
"Speak up!" he said, shortly. "What is it?"
"Long-Sword had a collar-bone broken in the fight, when he was captured—" began Jamison.
"And you mean, that there may be evidence of it?" the Governor interrupted. "Very good!—Brandon, will you submit to examination?"
"Certainly, sir! I shall be glad to let either you or Mr. Maynadier inspect my shoulders. Why did you not speak of this sooner, fellow?" he added.
It was the evidence he had been hoping for—had, indeed, depended on to establish his innocence23. And they had been long in coming to it! The bones had knit as neatly24 as before the break.
"And when you are about it," added Jamison, "you might look for a star-shaped birth-mark, under the left arm. I noticed it, when I bound up his injury. If it is not there, then he is not Long-Sword."
[Pg 325]
"Very good! my man, they may look for the birth-mark, too," said Brandon.
He crossed to the window, where the sun would fall full upon him, divesting25 himself of his coat as he went; glanced out at the turf, below, tossed the coat, carelessly, on a chair, and, putting one hand on the ledge26, suddenly vaulted27 through the opening.
It was so totally unexpected, that, for an instant, no one moved. Then Captain Herford, with a shout to his men to follow, bounded across the room, and leaped out in pursuit.
Brandon had slipped on the grass, when he landed, and Herford alighted almost in his arms, and a trifle beyond him. Both men recovered themselves at the same instant, but Herford was between Brandon and freedom. Like a flash, he drew his sword, and flung himself upon the aide.
Herford was not an expert, but he had agility28, and, that first requisite29 of a fencer, a strong wrist, and he held his own, for the moment that was necessary to enable the guard to come up. Just as they appeared, he felt the other's sword pass through his shoulder, and he knew no more.
Brandon whipped out the blade, and sprang forward. Too late! A dozen soldiers were in the way. He put his back to the house, and waited.
He would die, here—die as Long-Sword—die with the music of the steel, perhaps the roll of musketry, in his ears. It was better—much better—than the rope.
[Pg 326]
A figure leaped down from the window. It was De Lysle.
"Brandon!" he exclaimed. "Let me aid you." The other waved him back.
"You cannot aid me. I am alone on the ship," he said. "Farewell, my friend.—Ah! place for his Excellency!"
The Governor came hurriedly out, followed by Maynadier and Marbury. Constable30, and the rest of the men of the house party, attracted by the unusual commotion31, were hastening over from the race track, though they could not yet see what was occurring on the opposite side of the house.
Colonel Sharpe took in the whole scene at a glance:—the solitary32 figure against the wall, the dozen soldiers that hemmed33 him in, the wounded Herford lying on the grass, the blood blotching breast and shoulder.
And he swore a great oath, and, kneeling, raised the Captain's head.
"He is not dead!" he said. "Here, Maynadier, look to him, will you?" Then he arose and faced Brandon.
"Perhaps your Excellency will favor me with a pass or two?" he said.
The Governor's face was set and stern, for the time, all mercy had passed out of it.
"For I am Long-Sword," he continued, "even[Pg 327] as I am Sir Charles Brandon. And, ere we grow busy in the business of death, I want to say, in order that my friend, De Lysle, may not be misunderstood, that, although he recognized me after he entered the cabin, where I was prisoner, yet he knew nothing of my coming to Annapolis, until I walked in upon him at the Coffee-house. I was going home. Long-Sword the Pirate was to be buried, forever. In ten days, I should have sailed.... But the Fates were against me—I shall not go home—I shall die as Long-Sword, instead." He bowed gracefully35 to the Governor. "I thank your Excellency! Now, cry on your dogs!"
At this instant, Constable came through the house and out on the esplanade.
"What is it?" he exclaimed—"what does it mean?"
"It is the passing of Long-Sword the Pirate," Brandon answered. "Will not your Excellency begin?"
"I would much rather you surrendered," said Colonel Sharpe.
"No doubt! it would save you a few lives," he mocked.
"You decline to yield?"
Brandon bowed.
But before a trigger could be pulled, or a flintlock fall, Brandon was upon them. His sword flashed in and out, there was a swaying back and[Pg 328] forth37, shouts and cries, the clubbing of muskets38, the groans39 of the wounded, a mêlée, in which all were mingled40 in a blur41 of strife42 and struggle....
Then, the line parted; and through the opening, his sword at the lunge, staggered Brandon. Blood gushed43 from his face and head, from his breast, from his legs. He was almost sped. He came a little way—faltered—stopped. A soldier stepped out behind him and passed his hanger44 through his throat. He fell without a word. So, Long-Sword died.
"He was a brave man!" he said. "May I meet death as fearlessly, when my time comes.... Gentlemen, this deplorable scene is over—let me suggest that you hasten to the ladies, and keep them on the other side of the house, until all traces of the conflict have been removed."
He hooked his arm within Maynadier's, and went slowly in.
"I have had enough of crime and punishment," he said, as they passed the doorway46. "What think you, shall we excuse Parkington—let him depart in peace, for England?"
"Yes!" replied Maynadier.
"How say you, Marbury?" the Governor asked.
"As I have said all along: let it rest! let him go!"
"There are some things that are not explained,[Pg 329] but they can bide—yes, I think that he may go.—Parkington!" he called.
Parkington, who was kneeling by the body of his dead friend, arose and came forward.
"Sir Edward!" said the Governor. "We have decided47 to pursue your matter no further, upon the condition, however, that you will continue to bear the name of Parkington, and reside in this house, as a guest, until the first ship sails for England. Are you content?"
Parkington bowed low. "More than content, your Excellency. I am deeply grateful. Moreover, there are pressing reasons, now, for my instant return to England."
He drew the Annapolis paper from his pocket, and, pointing to the item in larger type at the foot of the last column, passed it across.
Colonel Sharpe read:
"FIVE HUNDRED POUNDS REWARD!
"For information sent to the undersigned, that will lead to the location of the present whereabouts of the Honourable48 Roger James Howard de Lysle, who, it is thought, sailed for America, incognito49, about the first of April, last past. He is of average size, with black hair and eyes, fair complexion50, clear cut features, and fine bearing. By the sudden demise51 of the persons intervening, he has succeeded to the title and estates of the Earl of Doncaster."
[Pg 330]
The Governor ceased. "My lord," he said, extending his hand, "you have my congratulations! But I think, for reasons which you will understand," he added, "you best cling to the old name, so long as you are in America."
The Earl bowed. "Your Excellency is right. As Parkington I came to Annapolis, as Parkington I shall leave it.—Will you wait here one moment, sir?"
He returned, presently, with Miss Stirling.
"My dear," he said, "I did myself the honor of asking you to marry me, when I was simply Roger de Lysle; and, though you did not promise, yet you were good enough to consider it not unfavorably, I thought. Now, in the presence of his Excellency the Governor, your uncle, I do myself the further honor of asking you to become the Countess of Doncaster."
Miss Stirling's heart beat wildly.
"The Countess of Doncaster!" she repeated, wonderingly. "You are the Earl?"
"I am the Earl," he answered. Then he smiled, the winning, fascinating smile that was his, and held out his arms to her. "Will you go home with me, dear?" he asked.
Without hesitation52, she went to him.
"I will go, my lord," she answered. "I will go."
Finis.
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收听单词发音
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1
spoke
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| 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 | |
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2
imputation
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| n.归罪，责难 | |
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3
killing
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| n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财 | |
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4
colloquy
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| n.谈话，自由讨论 | |
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5
ransom
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| n.赎金，赎身；v.赎回，解救 | |
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6
afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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7
testimony
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| n.证词；见证，证明 | |
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8
humbly
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| adv. 恭顺地，谦卑地 | |
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9
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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10
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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11
mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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12
unfamiliar
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| adj.陌生的，不熟悉的 | |
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13
nervously
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| adv.神情激动地，不安地 | |
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14
tenor
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| n.男高音（歌手），次中音（乐器），要旨，大意 | |
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15
embarrassment
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| n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫 | |
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16
attested
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| adj.经检验证明无病的，经检验证明无菌的v.证明( attest的过去式和过去分词 )；证实；声称…属实；使宣誓 | |
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17
majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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18
absurdity
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| n.荒谬，愚蠢；谬论 | |
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19
interim
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| adj.暂时的，临时的；n.间歇，过渡期间 | |
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20
discreetly
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| ad.(言行)审慎地，慎重地 | |
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21
effrontery
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| n.厚颜无耻 | |
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22
expressively
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| ad.表示(某事物)地；表达地 | |
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23
innocence
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| n.无罪；天真；无害 | |
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24
neatly
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| adv.整洁地，干净地，灵巧地，熟练地 | |
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25
divesting
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| v.剥夺( divest的现在分词 )；脱去（衣服）；2。从…取去…；1。（给某人）脱衣服 | |
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26
ledge
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| n.壁架，架状突出物；岩架，岩礁 | |
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27
vaulted
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| adj.拱状的 | |
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28
agility
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| n.敏捷，活泼 | |
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29
requisite
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| adj.需要的，必不可少的；n.必需品 | |
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30
constable
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| n.(英国)警察，警官 | |
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31
commotion
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| n.骚动，动乱 | |
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32
solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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33
hemmed
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| 缝…的褶边( hem的过去式和过去分词 )； 包围 | |
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34
salute
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| vi.行礼，致意，问候，放礼炮；vt.向…致意，迎接，赞扬；n.招呼，敬礼，礼炮 | |
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35
gracefully
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| ad.大大方方地；优美地 | |
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36
sergeant
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| n.警官，中士 | |
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37
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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38
muskets
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| n.火枪，（尤指）滑膛枪( musket的名词复数 ) | |
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39
groans
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| n.呻吟，叹息( groan的名词复数 )；呻吟般的声音v.呻吟( groan的第三人称单数 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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40
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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41
blur
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| n.模糊不清的事物；vt.使模糊，使看不清楚 | |
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42
strife
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| n.争吵，冲突，倾轧，竞争 | |
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43
gushed
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| v.喷，涌( gush的过去式和过去分词 )；滔滔不绝地说话 | |
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44
hanger
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| n.吊架，吊轴承；挂钩 | |
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45
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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46
doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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47
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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48
honourable
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| adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的 | |
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49
incognito
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| adv.匿名地；n.隐姓埋名；adj.化装的，用假名的，隐匿姓名身份的 | |
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50
complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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51
demise
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| n.死亡；v.让渡，遗赠，转让 | |
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52
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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