The Firebrand

by S. R. Crockett

  CHAPTER XL

  ALL DANDIES ARE NOT COWARDS

  It was not, however, so simple a matter as Rollo supposed to obtain anaudience with the Queen-Regent of Spain. Her daughter, willing, but byno means eager to see her mother, had at last been taken up to her roomby one of the serving-men, whose faithfulness during the night had beenso greatly stimulated by La Giralda's declared intention of shootingeither of them who should fail from his post for an instant.

  To the same gold-laced functionary, upon his return, Rollo made hisrequest.

  "Tell her Majesty that those gentlemen who last night defended thepalace, wish to be admitted into her presence in order that they mayrepresent to her the danger of remaining longer in a house exposed aliketo the attacks of bloodthirsty villains and to the ravages of theplague."

  "Her Majesty, being otherwise engaged, is not at present able to receivethe gentlemen," was the civil but unsatisfactory answer brought back.

  Rollo stood a moment fuming, biting his thumb-nail as he had a fashionof doing when thinking deeply. Then he asked a sudden question--

  "Where is El Sarria?"

  "Without on the terrace--doing a little sentry duty on his ownaccount," said the Sergeant. "I told him that the gipsies, being walkersin darkness, had gone off for at least twelve hours, and that there wasno use in any further vigilance till nightfall, should it be ourill-fortune to spend another night in this place. But" (here theSergeant shrugged his shoulders very slightly, as only an Andalucian ora Frenchman can), "well--our excellent Don Ramon is the best and bravestof men. But it is a pity that he has not room here for more than oneidea at a time!"

  And Sergeant Cardono tapped his brow with his forefinger.

  "I do not know," said Rollo, smiling, "if the one idea is a good one, itmay carry a man far! But that matters nothing now. Let these two friendsof mine, Don Juan and M. de Saint Pierre, take his place on the terrace.We have a difficult part to play upstairs, and we want only men of yournation or mine--men neither easily excited nor yet too over-scrupulous!"

  He added the last words under his breath.

  And so, on pretext that it was time El Sarria should be relieved, a fewminutes thereafter John Mortimer and Etienne found themselves pleasantlysituated on the broad terrace looking out on the dry fountains and theglittering waterfalls of La Granja, while El Sarria solemnly mounted thestairs to hold audience with his young leader.

  No great talker was El Sarria at any time, and now he had nothing to saytill Rollo informed him why he wanted his help. Then he was ready to doeverything but talk--go to the world's end, fight to the death, give upall except Dolores (and risk even her!) that he might do the will of hischief. El Sarria was not good at fine ethical distinctions, but heunderstood obedience prompt and unquestioning, through and through andup and down.

  Rollo did not directly reveal his intentions to his followers, nor didhe take Concha into his confidence. He had not even spoken another wordto her, but a glance had passed between them, and Concha was satisfied.It had told her much--that he loved her, that his heart held her to bethe best-beloved thing the sun shone on--that there were dangers anddifficulties before them, but that whatever happened neither would lookback nor take their hands from the plough. Yes, oh too wise sceptic, itwas indeed a comprehensive glance, yet it passed as swiftly as when in aplacid lake a swallow dips his wing in full flight and is off again withthe drops pearling from his feathers.

  "I wish you to follow me, gentlemen," he said slowly. "Bring your arms.If her Majesty the Queen-Regent of Spain will not see us, perhaps we mayfare better with the Queen's Consort! I for one intend that we shall!"

  Without offering any further explanation, Rollo turned and marchedsteadily but not hastily to the chamber door of Senor Munoz, Duke ofRianzares. The liveried servant who was approaching with a jug of hotwater (the younger of La Giralda's charges on the previous night),called out to them that they could not at that moment see hisExcellency. He was, it appeared, in the act of dressing. With the comingof the morning light these two gentlemen of the bed-chamber had resumedthe entire etiquette of the Spanish court, or at least such modifiedforms of it as, a little disarranged by altitude and the portent of aninformal and (as yet) unauthorised Prince Consort, prevailed at LaGranja.

  But Rollo would have nothing of all this. Enough time had been wasted.He merely moved his head a hair's-breadth to the side, and the young manin gold lace, a most deserving _valet-de-chambre_, found himself lookingdown at the curved edge of El Sarria's sword-bayonet, whose pointtouched his Adam's apple in a suggestive manner. He promptly dropped thesilver pipkin, whereupon the shaving-water of the Duke slowly decanteditself over the _parqueterie_ floor. A portion scalded the valet'sfinely shaped leg, yet he dared not complain, being in mortal fear ofthe sword-bayonet. But in spite of the danger, his mind ran on thequestion whether the skin would accompany the hose when he had anopportunity to remove the latter in order to examine his injuries.

  Rollo knocked on the Duke's door with loud confident knuckles, not atall as the gentleman with the shaving-water would have performed thatfeat.

  Whereupon, inclining his ear, he heard hasty footsteps crossing thefloor, and, suspecting that if he stood on any sort of ceremony he mightfind the door bolted and barred in his face, Rollo turned the handle andquietly intruded a good half of a bountifully designed militaryriding-boot within the apartment of the Duke.

  So correctly had he judged the occupant's intentions that an iron boltwas actually pushed before Don Fernando discovered that his door wouldnot close, owing to an unwonted obstruction.

  "Your Excellency," cried Rollo, in a stern voice, "we desire to speakwith you on a question which concerns the lives of all within thiscastle. Being unable to obtain an interview with her Majesty theQueen-Regent, we make bold to request you to convey our wishes and--ourintentions to her!"

  "I am dressing--I cannot see you, not at present!" cried a voice fromwithin.

  "But, Senor, see you we must and shall," said Rollo, firmly; "in half aminute we shall enter your apartment, so that you have due notice of ourintention."

  For this Rollo of ours had an etiquette of his own applicable even tocircumstances so unique as obtained at the Castle of La Granja--which,had the occurrences we describe not been the severest history, mightjustly have been called the chiefest of all "Chateaux en Espagne."

  Watch in hand Rollo stood, absorbed in the passage of the thirty secondsof which he had given notice, and had not the Sergeant suddenly dashedthe chamber door open, the young Scot's foot would certainly have beencrushed to a jelly. For by this act the excellent Duke of Rianzares wasdisclosed in the very act of dropping a ponderous marble bust of hiswife's grandfather upon the young man's toes.

  After that, of course, there was no more ceremony with Senor Munoz. Hewas immediately relieved of his weapons, ordered to the farther side ofthe room away from all possible avenues of escape, and further guardedby the Sergeant, who bent upon him a stern and threatening brow.

  Then Rollo began to develop his intentions in a loud clear voice. Forif, as he suspected, Maria Cristina chanced to be within earshot, itmight save an explanation in duplicate if she should hear at first handwhat he was now about to communicate to her consort.

  On either side of the young man were his two aides, the Sergeant andRamon Garcia, the first gaunt, tough, and athletic, of any age betweenthirty and sixty, courage and invincible determination written plainlyon his brow, and in his eyes when as now he was angered, the Angel ofDeath himself standing like a threat. On the other side stood Don RamonGarcia, gigantic in stature, deep-chested and solemn, driven by fate toactions of blood, but all the same with the innocent heart of a littlechild within his breast.

  "Senor Munoz," said Rollo, speaking sharp and sudden, "let me introducethese gentlemen to your notice. They are two of the most famous men inall Spain and worthy of your acquaintance. This on my left is Senor DonJose Maria, late of the town of Ronda, and this on my right is Don RamonGarcia, better known as El Sarri
a of Aragon!"

  For the first time the colour slowly forsook the handsome but somewhatflorid countenance of the Duke of Rianzares. He was, as his valet hadtruly said, engaged at his toilet, and it is certainly difficult to lookimpressive in a flowered dressing-gown. Being Spaniards and thereforegentlemen, El Sarria and the Sergeant bowed slightly at Rollo'sintroduction, and stood waiting. Rollo, noways loth, continued hisspeech.

  "Your Excellency is now aware of the names of two of those whom you maythank for your safety. I myself, to whom the Queen-Regent owes therecovery of her daughter, am a Scottish gentleman of good birth. Mycompanions below are severally the Count de Saint Pierre, a Frenchnobleman of ancient family, and Don Juan Mortimer, an English merchantof unchallenged probity.

  "Here therefore are five men who have defended the Queen-Regent withtheir lives, and who now judge it to be necessary for her and thePrincess that they should put themselves immediately under ourprotection and leave this place of instant and terrible danger!"

  "The Queen will not be dictated to by any combination of menwhatsoever," the Duke answered; "she has resolved to remain at LaGranja, and therefore nothing can move her!"

  Rollo bowed gracefully, but there was a dangerous glitter in his eyewhich might have warned his opponent.

  "Your Excellency," he went on, with great calmness, "we look confidentlyfor your voice and interest in this matter. You will have the goodnessto introduce us into the presence of the Queen-Regent. You are atliberty to announce our intentions and prepare her Majesty for a visit!"

  A quick light flashed over the indifferent and dogged countenance ofSenor Munoz. The hope of escape was written there as plainly as ifprinted in Roman characters across his brow. But for this also Rollo hadmade provision.

  "Guard that inner door," he cried to El Sarria; and the giant movedswiftly to his post, motioning away the gentleman-in-waiting as onemight displace a dog from a cushion. Then Rollo stepped briskly into thecorridor, set his hand to his mouth and called a single word aloud.

  "_Concha!_"

  And the girl stood before him almost ere his voice had ceased to echoalong the corridors. Silent she waited his pleasure. For this time itwas not Rollo, upon whose love for her the new sun had risen, who calledher, but Colonel Rollo Blair, the chief of the expedition of which shewas no insignificant part.

  "You are armed?" he queried, as she followed him within the door andher quick eyes took in the scene.

  The girl nodded a little resentfully. Surely it was a superfluousquestion. An Andalucian maiden, whose lover's life is in danger everyhour, always goes armed. But of course it was Rollo's duty as an officerto make certain. All the same he might have known. _She_ would.

  "Then," said Rollo, firmly, "you will accompany this gentleman to theapartments of the Queen-Regent. You will permit him ten minutes' privateconversation with her Majesty in your presence. You will then accompanyhim back. During his absence he is not to lay his hand upon any weapon,have any personal contact with the Queen, or open any drawer, cabinet,or case-of-arms. Also he is to return with you as soon as you inform himthat the time allotted is at an end. Here is my watch!"

  "And if the _Senor_ should refuse to comply with any of these demands?"suggested Concha.

  "He will not refuse," answered Rollo; "but if the thing should happen,why, you have full discretion! You understand?"

  Concha nodded, and her lips, ordinarily so sweet and yielding, grew firmwith determination. She understood. So also did Munoz.

  "You do not need to say more," she said clearly; "I am an Andalucian."

  Rollo turned to Munoz. Not being a Spaniard, he thought it necessary tomake the matter yet more clear.

  "You have heard," he said; "treachery will do you no good, and mayindeed suddenly deprive her reigning Majesty of the inestimableconsolations of your companionship. Be good enough to accompany thisyoung lady, sir. In ten minutes I shall expect your return with afavourable answer. Permit them to pass, Don Ramon!"

  But the consort of the Queen-Regent Maria Cristina fingered his chinuncertainly without moving, and Rollo's brow darkened ominously, whilethe Sergeant began to look hopeful. Neither were in the mood to put upcalmly with any further refusal or hesitation.

  "I am quite willing--nay, even anxious to oblige you," said Munoz; "Iwould gladly undertake the commission, but--but----!"

  He stopped as if searching for words, still, however, rubbing his chin.

  "But what?" thundered Rollo. The blood of all the Blairs was rising.

  "Well, to put the matter plainly, I have never appeared before herMajesty in this condition before. You would not have me go as I am?"

  "In what condition?" cried the Scot in great astonishment.

  "Unshaven, and with my hair undressed. That idiot there"--pointing tothe trembling valet--"spilt the water just when you came in."

  "Nay," laughed Rollo, much relieved that there was to be no shedding ofblood, "indeed you must forgive him for that. El Sarria there isentirely to blame. And on this occasion I trust that her Most CatholicMajesty will pardon the informality of your appearance. You can pointout to her that you come, not on your own part, but as the ambassador ofothers who were somewhat over-earnest in persuading you. I am sure thatmy two friends here will share with me the very serious responsibilityof your unshaven chin."

  "That I shall not fail to represent to her Majesty," said the Duke,bowing imperturbably.

  And without any further objections he went out, followed by Concha. Andthat young lady with all the dignity of responsibility swelling in prideunder the crossed folds of her _rebozo_, did not vouchsafe even so muchas one glance to Rollo, but passed her commanding officer with eyes likethose of a rear-rank man on parade, fixed immovably on the broad back ofSenor Munoz. As soon as they were alone, however, she moved upalongside, fingering her pistol-butt significantly. For this littleConcha was quite resolved to use her discretion to the uttermost shouldany treachery be intended--aye, or even the appearance of it.

  During their absence the remaining quartette in the chamber of DonFernando Munoz held their ground without a word of mutual converse.Rollo stared out of the window and listened eagerly to the slamming ofdoors and the far-away murmur of voices in the direction of the royalapartments. Ramon, like the natural fine gentleman he was, fixed hiseyes on the Persian rugs which strewed the polished floor and awaitedorders. But Sergeant Cardono, unconditioned by any such fine scruples,regarded with undisguised contempt mingled with pity the gold and ivoryfittings of the ducal dressing-table, the plated lamps, the giltcandelabra, the Dresden china shepherdesses holding out ash-trays, andall the varied elegancies which the affection and gratitude of a Queenhad provided for the tobacco-seller of Torrejon de Ardoz, who, like ourown Shakespeare, was said to have held many a steed outside his father'sdoor for a meagre dole of pence. For thus by merit, diverse in kind itis true, do the really great soar above the insignificance of theirbirth.

  Thus in a straining silence, acute almost to breaking point, theywaited. Yet something of the epic's argument came to them even at thatdistance--a shrill woman's voice vehemently debating, then a bass mutterof masculine argument, a quick stamp, distinctly feminine, upon thefloor, then the slamming of a door, and on the back of that the sound ofreturning footsteps.

  "The Queen refuses to receive you, I am sorry to inform you, gentlemen,"said the Duke. "That I did my best this lady will bear me witness. Buthaving had no opportunity of private conference with her Majesty, I wasunable (as indeed I anticipated) to effect anything."

  Rollo turned to Concha without wasting words on his former ambassador.

  "Return to the Queen's chamber," he said, "and inform her Majesty thatwe will wait her pleasure here for other ten minutes. And if by the endof that time we are not honoured with a visit from her Majesty, we shall(most reluctantly and with all respect) be compelled to shoot SenorFernando Munoz, whose person we hold as a hostage for her Majesty'scomplaisance in the affair we have undertaken. We can waste no moretime."

  Co
ncha's lips became more rigid than ever. They looked as if they neverwould, should, or could be kissed. Juno herself, passing sentence uponthe object of great Jove's latest admiration, could not have appearedmore inflexibly stern.

  But she only saluted, turned on her heel like a drill-sergeant, andmarched out by the side door.

  In these trying circumstances the Duke of Rianzares displayed anunexpected and wholly admirable calm. He leaned against the mantelpiece,glanced once at the ormolu timepiece with the address of a Paris makerbelow the winding-holes, and fell again to fingering his unshaven chin.He then turned quickly toward the trembling valet, who regarded him witheyes which seemed to apologise for such unprecedented circumstances.

  "There would have been time to shave me even yet," he said, "only thatyou were fool enough to spill the shaving-water."

  Then, as if relinquishing hope, he sighed again and fell listlessly toregarding himself in the mirror. He was a handsome man, even with anunshaven chin that showed over a dressing-gown with yellow flowers on apurple ground. Also the pulses of the tobacco-seller's son of the Ardoz_estanco_ must have been urged by a pretty equal-beating heart, toenable him to take matters so calmly.

  The Sergeant muttered to himself once or twice as if making mental noteof an important fact which he desired to remember.

  "All dandies are not cowards," was what he was saying.