But, as already made known, something more than the enemy without called for their consideration. The egg of treason, which had been hatching under Ess.e.x's too lenient rule, was not an addled one. The vile bird was still vigorous within it, threatening to break the sh.e.l.l. A gleam of warmth and hope, the touch of a helping hand, and it would burst forth full fledged, ready to tear with beak and talons.

On this night Nathaniel Fiennes was unusually excited; angry at the difficult task left him by his predecessor, just as might the Earl of Ripon be with Lord Lytton, that a.s.s in lion's skin--now politically defunct--for demising him the legacy of Afghanistan.

But the lawyer-soldier, however worried and over-weighted, was not either dismayed or discouraged. After listening to what his fellow counsellors had to say, and giving his own views, he exclaimed in conclusion, and determinedly:

"Before our enemies enter Bristol they'll have to pa.s.s over my dead body!"

"And mine, too!" "And mine!" were echoes of like patriotic resolve.

All emphatic, though not all sincere; for the loudest of them came from the lips of a man who least meant what he said. Even then, Colonel Langrish was contemplating the treason he afterwards perpetrated.

No one present so quietly declared himself as Sir Richard Walwyn. A man more of deeds than words, such pompous proclamation was averse to his nature, and pompous, so far as regarded Fiennes, it afterwards proved.

For the enemy _did_ enter Bristol, not over his dead body, nor even fiercely fighting with him, but by surrender, facile, and so much like being criminal, that the lawyer-soldier was himself cast into prison, not by foes, but those hitherto his friends; afterwards tried for his life, and let off as the son of Lord Saye and Sele, though without leave to play at soldiering any more. But we antic.i.p.ate.

Returning to the conference in the Castle, it had well-nigh reached conclusion, when the usher in charge of the door entered to announce a party seeking audience of the Governor, to whom alone the communication was made.

"Who are they?" demanded Fiennes.

"I don't know, your Excellency. They're still outside the gate. The guard-corporal brought the message--he's at the door."

"Bring him in!"

The abrupt order was with promptness executed; and in twenty seconds after, the corporal of the castle guard stood before the Governor, saluting in military style.

"Who are these wishing to speak with me?" asked the latter.

"I only know one of them, your Excellency," returned the corporal.

"That's Sergeant Wilde, of the Forest of Dean troop--Sir Richard Walwyn's. The other two are a short man and a tall woman--very tall she is. The man has a wooden leg."

"If I'm not mistaken, Colonel Fiennes," interposed Sir Richard, who, standing by, overheard what the corporal had said, "I know all the party. And as my sergeant, Wilde, appears to be one of them, I'll answer for the honesty of their purpose in seeking an interview with you, whatever it be."

"Let them be brought in?" commanded the Governor--"all three."

At which the guard-corporal, once more saluting, made "about face," and with the usher disappeared from the room.

"Who are they, Sir Richard?" asked the Governor, as the door was again closed.

"By the description," answered the knight, "I identify the short man and the very tall woman as cadgers, who follow their humble calling around the Forest of Dean; despite the reversed proportions in stature, being brother and sister."

"But what, think you, can they be wanting with me?"

"That I can't say, your Excellency. Though likely something of grave concern, or Rob Wilde wouldn't be with them as their introducer. He isn't the man to intrude, without serious purpose."

Their dialogue was interrupted by sounds in the hallway outside; a sc.r.a.ping and shuffling of heavily-shod feet, with something that resembled the strokes of a wooden mallet upon the stone flags, administered in regular repet.i.tion. It was no mystery, however, either to the Governor or the knight, both already aware that they were to see a man with a wooden leg.

Which they did, as the door was again pushed open, and the usher entered for the third time, conducting in Jerky Jack and his sister, the sergeant bringing up the rear.

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX.

A DESPATCH CUNNINGLY CONVEYED.

The officers had separated into two groups, one on each side the Governor, as the odd trinity of personages was presented to him; these, as they came up, falling into line--Rob on the right, the woman left, and Jack central, as a pollard between two tall trees.

Not yet aware of his colonel being in the room, the sergeant, as introducer of the other pair, was about to make known their business--of which Winny after all had given him a hint--when Sir Richard stepped forward to interrogate them. The knight had received instructions for this, on account of his acquaintance with the party.

"Well, sergeant," he said, after nodding recognition to Jack and his sister, "what may your Forest friends be wanting? I hope they haven't got into any trouble with our soldiers, or the Bristol folk?"

"No, Sir Richard; nothin' o' that sort whatsoever. They ha' just entered the city, comin' frae Gloster, an' wi' a message from Colonel Ma.s.sey to his honner here." The speaker, by a look, indicated the head figure of the listening a.s.semblage; then added, "They think it be somethin' o' very great consarn, seein' how the Colonel ha' told them not to lose a minnit in the deliverin' o't."

At this all eyes turned eagerly upon the cadgers. A message from Ma.s.sey, who commanded at Gloucester, and at such a crisis! It should mean something of importance.

"Perhaps your Excellency would prefer hearing it in private?" suggested Sir Richard, with a feint at withdrawing, imitated by the other officers.

"No, no!" rejoined the _ci-devant_ lawyer, who, unlike his confraternity, was of aught but secretive habit. "Stay, gentlemen!

Whatever it be, we're all equally interested in it. Now, my worthy friends," he continued, his glance alternating between the little man and big woman, "what is this matter with which Colonel Ma.s.sey has entrusted you? You may speak out openly and without fear."

The words of encouragement were superfluous. Neither Jerky Jack nor his sister were of the stuff to be affrighted, though they stood in the presence of Royalty itself. They had travelled too far, and seen too much of the world for that.

"It be wrote, yer honner." The woman it was who spoke. "The thing be's all put down on paper; an' Jack--my brother, sir--ha' got it on him, hid away, as there was a fear us might meet the Cavalieres."

"Well, you needn't fear meeting them here. So let Jack produce it."

Which Jack did, though not _presto_, on the instant. It took some time, with an amount of manipulation, before the secreted despatch could be laid open to the light. The cadger's artificial leg had to be unstrapped and separated from what remained of the real one; then a cavity in the former, being uncorked, disclosed to view a roll of paper, bearing resemblance to a cartridge.

This, drawn forth by Jerky himself, was handed to Sir Richard, and pa.s.sed on to the Governor; who, having directed the temporary withdrawal of the messenger party, unrolling it, read--

"Gloucester, March 7.--Report here of Rupert, with 8,000 men, on march for Bristol. Expected to arrive before your gates early in the night.

Be careful to keep them shut. Sorry I can do nothing for you in the way of diversion. Myself pressed on Monmouthshire side. Brett and Lord John Somerset, with their Popish crew, have crossed the Forest, and are now threatening us from Highnam. But I'll hold Gloucester at all hazards, as I know you will Bristol.

"Ma.s.sey."

"That will I!" cried Fiennes, in a fresh burst of enthusiasm, inspired by the last words of the despatch. "Hold and defend it to the death.

We will, gentlemen!"

Needless to say, they all again echoed his resolve loudly and determinedly as before.

While their responses were still ringing through the room, the door was once more pushed open by a man who entered in haste, without announcement of usher, or introduction of any kind. The expression upon his features was sufficient apology for intrusion, but better the words that leaped from his lips, soon as he was inside:

"Your Excellency--gentlemen all--we're standing upon a mine!"

"'Standing upon a mine!'" echoed the Governor. "Explain yourself, Captain Birch!"

"Treason in our midst--a conspiracy--the conspirators met at this very moment."

"Where?" demanded several voices. "I heard first of a party in the house of Robert Yeomans, and another at George Boucher's. But I've since been told about more of them at Edward Dacre's."