Black Bartlemy's Treasure

by Jeffery Farnol

  CHAPTER XVIII

  CONCERNING THE MARK OF A BLOODY HAND AND HOW I LAY IN THE BILBOES ONSUSPICION OF MURDER

  It was with an effort at last that I dragged my gaze from the hatefulthing at my feet, only to meet the wide stare of that great eye myknife had wrought and (albeit no human eye now glittered there) yet itseemed none the less to watch my every move so persistently that Isnatched off my neckerchief and pinning it against the bulkhead with myknife, hid the thing from sight. Which done, I spurned myblood-stained doublet into a corner and getting to hands and knees withthe light beside me, began my search.

  My bunk was formed of boards supported by four up-ended casks andstretched the whole length of my small chamber. Upon these boards wasa pallet covered by a great blanket that hung down to the veryflooring; lifting this, I advanced the lanthorn and so began to examinevery narrowly this space beneath my bed. And first I noticed that theflooring hereabouts was free of dust as it had been new-swept, andpresently in the far corner espied a blurred mark that, as I looked,took grim form and semblance; stooping nearer I stared at this in thefull glare of the lanthorn, then, shrank back (as well I might) for nowI saw this mark was indeed the print of a great, bloody hand, open atfull stretch. Crouching thus, I felt again all the horror I had knownin my dreams, that dread of some unseen, haunting presence seeming tobreathe in the very air about me, a feeling of some evil thing thatmoved and crept in the dark beyond the door, of ears that hearkened tomy every move and eyes that watched me unseen. And this terror waxedand grew, until hearing a faint stirring behind me, I whirled about inpanic to see the neckerchief gently a-swing against the bulkhead whereI had pinned it; and though this was caused by no more than the motionof the ship (as I judged), yet in my then state of mind I whipped outmy pistol and, levelling at the knot-hole, pulled the trigger, whereonwas a mere flash in the pan and no more. This of itself steadied me,and sitting on my bed I found that the charge had been withdrawn.

  Laying by the useless weapon (for I had neither powder nor ball) I fellto profound meditation. And now indeed many things were plain; here(methought) had been the ghost, here had lain the murderer of threemen, here in the one and only safe place for him in the whole ship,viz., beneath my bed, the while I lay there in drugged sleep. It wouldbe simple matter to steal hither in my absence and drug my food, andwould explain the strange nausea had so afflicted me of late. Herethen I had the secret of my day-long sleeping, my vapours and blackhumours, here the explanation of my evil dreams and ghastly visionswhile Death, in human guise, crept about my couch or stooped above myunconscious form. But (I reasoned) I was not to be murdered, since Iwas of more use to him alive than dead and for three reasons (as Ijudged). First, that in his stealthy comings and goings he might bemistaken for me and thus left alone; secondly, that dressed in my habithe might haply father his crimes on me; and thirdly, that I (lying heredrugged and asleep) might afford him the one and only escape frompursuit and capture. And yet (thinks I) what manner of man (or ratherdevil) should this be who, clad in my doublet, could make away withthree lusty fellows and no one the wiser? Hereupon (and all in aflash) I seemed to see again the great black ship drifting down on usin the river and the man who rowed the skiff with the misshapen bundlein the stern-sheets--the bundle that had vanished so inexplicably.

  "By the living God," says I in a whisper, "here's an end to all themystery at last!" And so remained a great while sitting motionless onmy bed, being mightily cast down and utterly confounded. Rousingmyself at last I drew my knife from the bulkhead and put out the light;then very cautiously set wide the door, and thus lapped in the pitchydark (and mighty thankful for the good chain-shirt beneath my jerkin)stood holding my breath to listen. But hearing no more than the usualstir and bustle of the ship, I stole forward silent in my stockingedfeet, and groping before me with my left hand, the knife clenched in myright, began to steal towards the ladder. And now, despite shirt ofmail, I felt a cold chill that crept betwixt my twitchingshoulder-blades as I went, for that which I feared was more hatefulthan any knife.

  Howbeit, reaching the ladder, I got me to the orlop (and mightythankful) and so to the upper deck, to find a wondrous fair nightbreathing a sweet and balmy air and with a round moon uprising againsta great plenitude of stars. The moon was low as yet and, takingadvantage of the shadows, I got me into the gloom of the mainmast wherethe boats were stowed; and here (being well screened from chance view)I sat me down to drink in the glory of sea and sky, and to wait forchance of speech with Adam. And huge joy was it to behold these vastwaters as they heaved to a slumberous swell and all radiant with themoon's loveliness; or, gazing aloft, through the maze of ropes andrigging, marvelled at the glory of the heaven set with its myriadstarry fires. And, contrasting all this with the place of black horrorwhence I had come, I fell to a very ecstasy. And now, even as I satthus lost in pleasing wonderment, from the quarter-deck hard by camethe sweet, throbbing melody of a lute touched by skilled fingers andtherewith a voice richly soft and plaintive, yet thrilling with thatstrange, vital ring had first arrested me and which I should have knownthe world over. So she sang an air that I knew not, yet methought itwondrous sweet; anon she breaks off, all at once, and falls to the songI had heard her sing before now, viz.:

  "A poor soul sat sighing by a green willow tree."

  Now as I hearkened, my gaze bent aloft, the starry heavens grew allsudden blurred and misty on my sight, and I knew again that deepyearning for a life far different from that I (in my blind selfishness)had marked out for myself. "Here truly" (thinks I) "is one of Godby's'times of stars,' the which are good times being times of promise forall that are blessed with eyes to see--saving only myself who (thoughpossessing eyes) am yet not as other men, being indeed one set apartand dedicated to a just act of vengeance. But for this, I too mighthave been happy perchance and with a hope of greater happiness to be."

  Something the like of this was in my thoughts while the song wasa-singing, and I half-blinded by tears that would not be blinked away.Howbeit, the song ending, I was aware of a man's voice somethinghigh-pitched and precise:

  "I vow and protest, dear madam, 'tis rare--a night angelic and an angelhere to sing us to an ecstasy."

  "Faith, Joan," says another voice, "your singing might draw any man'sheart out of him, sweet cousin."

  "And that is but bald truth, I vow, my lady!" spoke a third.

  "Why then, gentlemen," says she, laughing, "here's an angel will to bedere so ill a chance befall you."

  Now here (being minded to steal a look upon her) I rose, and creepingto the great mast, edged myself into the shadow and so beheld one thatcrouched there already, and knew him for that same red-headed fellow Ihad belaboured with the rope's-end. He was staring up at thequarter-deck and, following his look, I saw my lady stand leaning uponthe rail, her shapely figure outlined against the moonlight, her faceupraised to the sky. So stood she awhile, the gentlemen beside her(very brave in their velvets and new-fangled great periwigs) until cameher maid Marjorie; then she sighed, acknowledged the gentlemen's bowsand flourishes with a graceful curtesy, and bidding them a laughing"good-night" went her way, her shapely arm about Marjorie's trim waist.Hereupon the red-headed fellow uttered a sound 'twixt a sigh and groan,and beholding him now as he yet stared after her, I saw his faceconvulse and a look in his eyes as he tongued his lips as made my verygorge rise, and I crept a pace nearer.

  "Be that you, Smiler?" says he, his gaze still fixed. "O mate, yon's arare dainty bit--a sweet armful, Smiler--"

  "Dog!" I cried in sudden choking fury. At this he leapt back, hardlyescaping my fist.

  "Ha--is't you again!" cries he, and with the words sprang at me andfetched me a staggering buffet in the mouth. At this (forgetting allprudence) I closed with him, and, heedless of his blows, secured thewrestling grip I sought and wrenching him down and across my knee, sawhis face suddenly be-splashed with the blood from my cut mouth thewhile I strove to choke him to silence. But he struggled mightily andthrice h
e cried "murder" in despite of me, whereupon the cry was takenup by one here and others there, until the very ship seemed to roar"murder."

  Followed a rush of feet, a confusion of voices all about me and,loosing my adversary, I reeled back to the mast under a rain of blows.

  "Stand away--back all!" cried a voice. "Gi'e mea shot at the rogue!"and the muzzle of a caliver was thrust into my face, only to be dashedaside as Adam sprang before me.

  "Hold off!" says he, whereupon they shrank back from me, one and all,before his levelled pistol, and there came a moment's silence wherein Iheard Godby utter a gasp, and letting fall the caliver he stared at mea-gape. "Here's no murderer, ye fools!" says Adam, scowling round onthem, "'Tis no more than--ha, way for Sir Rupert--make way for theCaptain, there!"

  "Pray what's to do, Master Penfeather?" demanded Sir Rupert, hastingforward with drawn sword and the three gentlemen behind him. "What'sall this riot?"

  "Nought but a stowaway rogue, Sir Rupert, and one beknown to me inEngland."

  "Ha!" says Sir Rupert, stroking a curl of his great peruke, "How comethhe brawling with the watch?"

  "Look'ee, my masters," cried the red-headed fellow (gasping and makinggreat to-do of gurgling and clasping his throat where I had squeezedhim) "look'ee, sirs, at my bloody face--all bloodied I be and nigh donefor by yon murdering rogue. Here's me on my watch and no thought o'harm, and suddenly out o' nowhere he takes him and grips me from behindand would ha' murdered me as he murdered t'others!"

  "Ha!" cried Sir Rupert, "The man reeks blood, observe, MasterPenfeather, and here's grave charge beside!"

  Now as I leaned there against the mast I saw a figure flit down thequarter-ladder and fain would have fled, yet seeing this vain, hung myhead and cowered in a very agony of mortified pride.

  "And you know this man, you say, Master Adam?" questioned Sir Rupert.

  "Aye I do, sir, for a desperate fellow, and so doth my LadyBrandon--and yourself also."

  "Ha? Bring him forward where I may get look of him." The which beingdone, Sir Rupert starts back with sword-point raised.

  "By heaven!" he cried, "How cometh this fellow aboard?"

  "A stowaway as I said, sir," quoth Adam. "You mind him very well, itseemeth."

  "Aye, verily!" says Sir Rupert, tapping me lightly with his sword as Istood between my captors. "Ha--you're the rogue stood i' the pillory!"

  "Aye!" I nodded, scowling at his dainty person. "And you're the onethat set me there!"

  "'Tis a rogue ingrain!" said Sir Rupert, frowning in turn. "O a verydesperate fellow as you say, Master Adam, and like enough the murdererwe are a-seeking." Hereupon I laughed and was kicked (unseen) thereforby Adam.

  "My lady!" says he, turning where she stood hard by, "You have seenthis fellow, I think."

  "Yes," says she readily. "And indeed, Cousin Rupert, I know more ofthis--of him than you do, and very sure am I he is no murderer--norever will be!" Here for a moment her glance rested on me, and meetingthat look I forgot my wounded vanity and degradation awhile.

  "Sweet my lady," says Sir Rupert, "Your gentle woman's heart may notbrook scenes the like of this. Go seek thy tender pillow and leavesuch to us of sterner mould."

  "Nay, cousin, my gentle woman's heart knoweth innocence from guilt,methinks, and here standeth innocent man, stowaway though he be."

  "Why then as stowaway will I entreat him, fair cousin. MasterPenfeather, clap him in irons till the morning, away with him--nay, Imyself will see him safely lodged." Here, and without further parley,I was led below, watched by the whole ship's company, and so to adismal place abaft the lazarette, where the armourer, Master Taffery,duly locked me into the manacles (arm and leg) beneath the eyes ofPenfeather and Sir Rupert who, seeing me this secure, presently left meto darkness and my solitary reflections.

  Howbeit, after some while I heard the sound of key turning and Adamre-entered bearing a light; having locked the door on us, he set downthe lanthorn on the floor and, seating himself on the bench whereto Iwas shackled, falls into a passion of cursing both in English, Spanish(and Indian for aught I know) for never had I heard the like words orsuch deep fervour.

  "Adam," says I (he being at a pause), "'tis hard to think you were evera student of divinity!"

  Hereupon he glances at me from the corners of his eyes and shakes hishead:

  "Your face is bloody, Martin, are ye hurt?"

  "My belly's empty, Adam."

  "Why, I guessed as much, shipmate, Godby's bringing ye the wherewithalto fill it. In the meantime I'll free you o' your bilboes awhile,though I must lock you up again that you may be found snug and securein the morning." So saying he took a key from his pocket and therewithset me at liberty.

  "Ah, Martin," quoth he, as I stretched myself, "why must ye goa-raising of tumults above deck under our very noses? Here's mightyill plight you've got yourself into, and here's me a-wondering how I amto get ye out again. Here's been murder done, and, look'ee, thiscoxcombly captain hath got it into his skull that you're themurderer--aye, and what's worse, every soul aboard likewise save onlyGodby and myself."

  "And my lady!" says I.

  "True, shipmate, true! She spoke for ye, as I guessed she might."

  "And how should you guess this, Adam?"

  "By adding one and one, Martin. But even so, comrade, even though shestand by you--what can she do, or Godby and I for that matter, 'gainsta whole ship's company crazed wi' panic fear--fear, aye and smallwonder, Martin! Death is bad enough, murder's worse, but for threehearty fellows to disappear and leave no trace--"

  "Aye, but was there no trace, Adam?"

  "None, shipmate, none!"

  "No blood anywhere?"

  "Never a spot, shipmate!"

  "Why then is there ever a man aboard with a wounded hand, Adam?"

  "Not one to my knowing and I've turned up the crew on deck twice theselast two days--every man and boy, but saw not so much as cut finger orstained garment among 'em--and I've sharp eyes, Martin. But why d'yeask?"

  "Because the man who made away with these three fellows was wounded inthe hand, Adam--howbeit that hand was bloody."

  "Hand, shipmate," says Penfeather softly, "would it be a righthand--ha?"

  "It was!" I nodded. "The mark of a great right hand."

  "Aye, aye!" says Adam, pinching his chin. "A right hand, Martin. Andwhere was the mark, d'ye say?"

  "Beneath my bed."

  "Bed, Martin--your bed!" Here he caught his breath and rose up andstood looking down at me betwixt narrowed lids and a-pinching at hissquare chin.

  "Aye--there, Adam, the only place in the ship you never thought tosearch--there he lay safe hid and I above him in a drugged sleep!"

  "Drugged!" says Adam, betwixt shut teeth. "Aye ... drugged ... crassfool it was not to ha' guessed it ere this." And now he falls silentand stands very still, only his sinewy fingers pinched and pinched athis chin as he stared blindly down at the floor. So now I told him ofmy fevered dreams and black imaginations, of my growing fears andsuspicions, of the eye had watched me through the knot-hole and of theman on the river with the boat wherein was the great mis-shapen bundlewhich had vanished just after the black ship ran foul of us.

  "Lord!" says Adam at last. "So the mystery is resolved! The matterlies plain as a pikestaff. Ha, Martin, we've shipped the devil aboardit seems!"

  "Who weareth a steel hook, Adam!"

  "And yet, Martin, and yet," says he, looking at me from the corners ofhis eyes, "herein, if we seek far enough, we may find the hand ofProvidence, I think--"

  "How?" says I. "Providence, d'ye call it?"

  "Aye, Martin--if we do but seek far enough!" Here he turned in answerto a furtive rapping, and opening the door, I heard Godby's voice."Come in, man, come in," says Adam, "here's only Martin."

  "Aye," quoth I heartily, "come in, God-be-here Jenkins that was myfriend." At this in he comes unwillingly enough and with never so muchas a glance in my direction.

  "Here's the wittles, Cap'n
," says he, and setting down the food anddrink he had brought, turned away.

  "What, Godby, ha' ye no word for a poor murderer in his abasement?"says I. Whereat he shakes his head mighty gloomy and keeping his gazeaverted. As for Adam he stood pinching his chin the while his quick,bright eyes darted from one to other of us.

  "How, are ye going and never a word?" quoth I as Godby crossed to thedoor.

  "Aye, I am!" says he, with gaze still averted.

  "Why you left me in mighty hurry last time, Godby,"

  "Aye, I did!" says he.

  "Why then tell us wherefore--speak out, man."

  "Not I, Martin, not I!" says he, and touching his bonnet to Penfeatherhasted away.

  "Ha!" says Adam, closing and locking the door. "And what's the riddle,Martin?"

  "My doublet. Godby, chancing to take it up, finds it all a-smear withblood and incontinent suspects me for this black murderer, which comeshard since here's an end of Godby's faith and my friendship."

  "Why look now, Martin, his suspicions are in reason seeing that whatwith drugs, deviltries and what not, you've been mighty strange o' lateand more unlovely company than usual, d'ye see!"

  "Howbeit!" says I, scowling and reaching for the food, "Here's an endto my friendship for Godby. Now as to you--what d'you say?"

  "I think, shipmate, that your doublet bloody and you the grimly,desperate, gallowsy, hell-fire rogue you strive so hard to appear,Martin, I say here's enough to hang you ten times over. One thing issure, you must leave this ship."

  "Not I, Adam!"

  "The long-boat's astern, victualled and ready."

  "No matter!" says I.

  "'Twill be no hard matter to get you safe away, Martin."

  "Howbeit, I stay here!" says I, mighty determined. "I'm no murderer!"

  "But you're a man to hang and hanged you'll be and you can lay to that,d'ye see?"

  "So be it!" says I.

  "Very fine, shipmate, but as I was saying the long-boat is towingastern, a good boat and well stored. The moon will be down in anhour--"

  "And what of it?" I demanded.

  "'Twill be easy for you to slip down from the stern gallery."

  "Never in the world!" quoth I.

  "And as luck will have it, Martin, Bartlemy's Island--our island--liethscarce eighty miles south-westerly. Being thither you shall come onour treasure by the aid of the chart I shall give you, and leaving thegold, take only the four coffers of jewels--"

  "You waste your breath, Adam!"

  "Then, shipmate, with these jewels aboard you shall stand away foranother island that beareth south a day's sail--"

  "Look you, Adam," says I, clenching my fists, "once and for all, I donot leave this ship, happen what may."

  "Aye, but you will, shipmate."

  "Ha, d'ye think to force me, then?"

  "Not I, Martin, but circumstances shall."

  "What circumstances?"

  Here and all at once Adam started up as again there came a softknocking at the door. "Who's there?" he cried. And then in my ear,"'Tis she, Martin, as I guess, though sooner than I had expected--intothe bilboes with you." Thus whispering and with action incrediblyquick, he clapped and locked me back in my shackles, whisked food,platter and bottle into a dark corner and crossed to the door. "Who'sthere?" he demanded gruffly. Ensued a murmur whereupon he turned thekey, set wide the door and fell back bowing, bonnet in hand, all in amoment.

  "Good Master Adam!" says she gently, "Pray you leave us awhile and letnone intrude on us." At this Adam bows again very low with a whimsicalglance at me, and goes out closing the door behind him.