by Ron Pearse
"Pas s'inquietez, monsieur!" It was D'Artagnan who shouted, adding: "I have a reflecting glass. Tell me the signals."
He stood on the hub of a carriage and on being told, he caught the evening sun at the correct angle and flashed and Prior climbing upon the other wheel, saw the yacht and someone climb down into a dinghy, calling to Mesnager:
"We must find our carriage, All our baggage is in there."
But again the senior musketeer shouted: "Do not worry, monsieur. There is your carriage!" He pointed to an object hidden by trees about a hundred paces away.
"Where is Maurice?" demanded Mesnager.
"Helas, monsieur." replied D'Artagnan and he smiled sadly as did the other three musketeers who Prior noticed had shouldered their muskets but continued to smile sadly, taking their cue from D'Artagnan.
"Monsieur!" The shouted name came from the beach and once again Prior stood on the hub of the carriage to get a better view and seeing, Robert, waved frantically. Robert ran up the beach crossing the final few yards on wooden planks set into the dunes that Prior had not noticed before. Robert was then in front of him and Prior jumped down to greet him whereafter Robert shouted in English:
"Where is your baggage?"
Immediately D'Artagnan jumped down on the sand whereupon he drew his sword shouting: "Un Anglais!" This caused Mesnager in a panic to shout at the musketeer: "Monsieur, il est ici par licence du roi. Do not harm him. Sheath your swords. I beg you! How do we get to England without him?"
"Mon Dieu!" exclaimed D'Artagnan, "Did you ever hear the like. Porthos, mon ami. An Englishman upon the sacred soil of France."
"I beg you, monsieur D'Artagnan, do not harm him. He is a friend of France." Prior placed himself in front of Robert which action touched the musketeer who declared:
"Mais mon ami. Of course, we would not harm him. D'Artagnan must have his little joke, n'est-ce pas!"
Robert, all this time rooted to the spot, now smiled, even chuckled after seeing the colourful French officer also smile. He had not understood a word but relieved to see him put away his sword drew a sleeve across his forehead and commented dryly to Prior:
"For a minute I thought I was a chicken on his spit. Now Mr Prior show me your luggage else the skipper might still spit me, if I don't soon show up."
Yet as Prior led the way over the sand-covered grassy heath avoiding the odd bush to get to their carriage and had nearly reached it, another distraction occurred and both men stopped and looked at each other as towards the party scattered in the clearing came a chaise being driven at speed. The two watched as did everyone as the chaise wheeled into the clearing and further amazed to see the Abbe Gaultier greet D'Artagnan like a long lost friend. Le chevalier strode to the chaise greeting the Abbe:
"Mon cher ami, monsieur l'Abbe. Tu aussi!"
The Abbe wrapping the reins around the splashback gave him both hands and called out:
"My dear D'Artagnan, when was the last time we were together. Help me down, dear friend!"
The two men exchanged kisses in triplicate both crying out in unison:
"What the devil brings you here?"
Prior turned to show Robert where his and Mesnager's luggage was before calling belatedly to Mesnager:
"That you are unscathed is a miracle. I hardly dared to hope."
Mesnager was shaken and bruised by his tumble earlier and his only concern now was how Robert was going to manage the three of them, and Prior translated his words to him but he, carrying the two valises, simply said:
"Do not concern yourself, sir, on my account." He spoke almost in a whisper looking furtively around, but D'Artangan was still conversing with the Abbe while his three companions had returned to their coach and having located their cache of refreshments were drinking toasts to each other and talking so loudly that nothing Robert had said could possibly be overheard, nonetheless he did not raise his voice to say:
"The skipper told me about a third person. Could you point him out?"
Seeing Robert take the baggage to the boat, Gaultier removed his own valise from the chaise and made his farewells while the others made their way to the dinghy, D'Artagnan calling to the departing back of the Abbe:
Remember me to monsieur Churchill, s'il vous plait. Au revoir mes amis." He called over to his chums:
"Porthos, Athos, Aramis! Say au revoir to our friends."
As one they chorused au revoir raising their glasses to D'Artagnan indicating what he was missing. Prior was now intent on finding out from the Abbe about his chaise which apparently belonged to the marquis. He said to anyone that would listen:
"Do you know, between Paris and Wissant, I made just two stops, to change horses, but I'm glad I made it. Fancy seeing monsieur D'Artagnan after all those years."
Prior said to Mesnager: "And our carriage, monsieur, with Maurice dead what happens to that?"
After reassuring his friend that he had left it in good hands, Mesnager with a look of concern, said: "But monsieur L'Abbe you have not eaten!" The Abbe laughed at Mesnager's concern, saying cheerily:
"A priest is quite accustomed to the rigours of the fast, my dear sir. After all I had water" He gave a little giggle and added: "mixed with a little 'eau de vie'."
Prior whispered to the oarsman: "I nearly forgot Robert. I managed to procure some 'eau de vie' for you and the skipper." Robert waited until he had pulled a full stroke and in the forward stroke, murmured:
"A little brandy will help recover our spirit in no time." The little riposte went down well and just before they had reached the yacht, Prior turned around at the disappearing figures on the beach and gave a farewell wave.
PART 4: PEER
Chapter 24
The Duke of Marlborough was not only a matchless battle commander but showed intuitive judgement in his choice of men for the tasks he asked them - not commanded them - to do. An example was Henry St John who helped to recconoitre the terrain of Blenheim the day before the battle. Now as a politician the skills honed for war proved vital for Robert Harley's cause as he was forced to retire to Hereford to recover from the grevious wound inflicted by Anthonie de Guiscard.
After a terrain reconnoitre such as he had carried out for his captain-general, St John had settled for a strip of coastline opposite France where inland communications were satisfactory. Tracks and roads in the area came together at Deal and had been developed until then to serve the local fishing community although the advantages of the area were also spotted by another group of entrepreneurs for the purpose of smuggling. However the war between England and France forced the temporary curtailment of this activity because of the activities of French privateers operating out of Dunquerque. For the reason of escaping any pursuit, St John, acting for the government, bought a fast yacht which could outrun a privateer and saw that it was stowed in an inlet under constant observation.
The one-time Minister of War had also surveyed a vantage point and saw that the ideal observation point was one of a trio of castles constructed under orders of Henry VIII when he feared invasion from an army of the Pope. Since that time, 1539, Sandown Castle had slipped into the sea so it fell to a choice between Deal Castle and Walmer Castle. He settled on Walmer owing to its relative remoteness. On the evening of August 10th, 1711, it was manned by soldiers and when an approaching boat was sighted, moving quickly towards their strip of shingle, not everything went according to the well-laid plans of Henry St. John, who had already observed in the field that the best laid plans need adaptation to circumstances.
The stone castle was constructed on the quatre-foil principle comprising a central core surrounded by four circular lobes for the deployment of cannon each field of view being overlapped by an adjacent lobe though, apart from test firing of shot, none of the cannon had been fired in anger. The castles were used by the military for their excellent vantage points and on this particular evening the north-east lobe was being patrolled by soldiers. The two troopers marched atop the battlements one facing the town and his oppos
ite number looking out to sea and turning round to march in the opposite direction crossing each other in the middle. At the end of his march one of the soldiers took action as laid down in their standing orders for patrol duties. With the familiarity of friends and contrary to regulations, he shouts to his companion:
"Josiah! Come and take a look."
"What is it this time, John?"
"There! See, where I am pointing. Oh, it's gone"
"You are seeing things. Anyway it's time we were going off watch. It must be time surely. Lord, am I chilled. Who is relieving us?"
"There 'tis again. Shade your eyes against the sun, trooper. Put down your musket man!"
"All I see is sea. The sun is well nigh dazzling me. There's a boat. Is that what you were on about."
"Do you see that winking light?"
"Aye, I do. Down to the guardroom trooper and notify serjeant Gay."
"No need, Josiah. Can you not hear our relief climbing the steps?"
Both listen to the approaching footfalls, Josiah gesturing to his companion to pick up his musket and resume marching and upon the sight of a soldier's head appearing atop the steps, marches forward in smart order calling:
"Serjeant Gay! I have something to report."
The man addressed waits while the men with him reach the top, yelling: "Halt! Stand to!" Then he addresses the watchman:
"Now fusilier, what have you to report?"
"A yacht, serjeant. Over there." He jerked his head out to see and the serjeant barks: "Show me!"
The serjeant walks over to the battlement and peers against the evening sun, calling: "In which direction, soldier?"
Then he barks an order: "Fusilier Smith, down to the guardroom, at the double. Present my compliments to Captain Richards and inform him that serjeant Gay requests his presence urgently. Off with you!"
He addressed the relief guardsmen:
"Fusilier Watson, train your eyes on the town. Look for any flashing lights." Then to the other two soldiers: "Keep your eyes peeled!"
"Permission to speak, sejeant?"
"Granted, Brown!"
"Could the boat be trying to signal the castle, serjeant?"
He had no chance to answer as hurrying footsteps were heard and the captain appeared a little breathless. He said:
"What is it, serjeant?" As he spoke he removed a folding telescope from a pocket and the serjeant in answer beckoned out to sea where now all could observe a sleek looking boat with red sails fast approaching the shore. A lantern could be made out even with the naked eye which someone was holding aloft in the cabin. The light went out and reappeared as though someone was trying to effect a series of flashes. The captain asked:
"How soon do you estimate it will hit the beach, serjeant?
Gay answered: "In half-an-hour, sir."
"How quickly could you be there to meet it?
"Long before it hit the beach, sir."
"I want you to time your appearance so that he crew have no chance to manoeuvre back out to sea. We must be prepared for any eventuality."
"I shall need four men, sir, besides myself."
"Very well, serjeant. Anything else?"
"What are your orders for the crew, sir?"
"Inform the master, whoever it may be and any crew, that you are detaining them at the queen's pleasure. You are at liberty to make your deployment as you see fit, serjeant."
The serjeant told the relief to take up their guard duties and for the other soldiers to accompany him to the guardroom and they disappeared down the steps. Captain Richards ordered the relief pair to carry out their guard duty then follows the serjeant down the steps. He reaches the bottom of the first flight, walks along a corridor, stops at a stout wooden door and knocks and being invited to enter walks inside a room where a man is sitting at a table. He is not in soldier's uniform. The captain addresses him:
"Mr Macky, I have just now dispatched a troop under serjeant Gay to apprehend a yacht approaching the shore."
Macky looked up from the table to say: "A bit of excitement eh. I thought there was some unusual activity. Soldiers don't normally move so fast other than at the end of their shift. Have you formed an idea captain as to the boat and its occupants?"
"I believe it is ours, Mr Macky, and all above board, but it is as well to be sure. Hence my orders to serjeant Gay."
Macky asked: "When do you estimate they will be back, captain?"
In answer Richards walked to the window and looked out. The view was of shingle and rocks upon which the castle had been built. As the window could not be opened he put his ear to the glass and after a moment said: "I think I can hear men approaching. With your leave, Mr Macky, I shall go down to meet them."
Macky replied: "I have no plans to go visiting, captain."
Captain Richards descended the steps to the bailey and as he neared the outside door, he heard the cry of 'halt!'. Then he opened the outer door and went outside and was on the causeway leading to steps built onto the rocks ending in shingle. He descended not waiting for anyone to approach and saw the serjeant who called out against the whine of the wind:
"Three prisoners, sir. Occupants of boat. On questioning one man replied in English. I believe the others to be French, sir."
"Very good, serjeant. Take them to the guardroom. You had better manacle them as a precaution then report to my office."
Before the captain could retreat one of the prisoners called to him:
"I do protest at this vile treatment, sir. Are you the commanding officer? I do assure you we are all on the queen's business. Guard us by all means but there is no need for chains."
"Do as I said, serjeant!" Then without replying the captain went back the way he came hearing his subordinate issue orders and he hears the people climbing the steps as he himself returns inside to report to John Macky Esquire.
He knocked and entered and found Macky at the window and having been asked tells Macky his immediate plans for the arrivals. He then asked him: "Is it a coincidence, sir, that your appearance coincides with the arrival of this boat ? I venture you might ask the same question were you in my position."
Macky turned from the window but Richards could not see him properly against the light from the window; he simply said: "Perhaps."
Richards tried again: "I have my orders, John, if I can presume upon old acquaintance. My question is, are your orders the same."
"If we are fighting the same enemy, old friend, then of course they must be. When are you going to question the prisoners?"
It was Richards' turn to be brief: "Soon!"
"May I accompany you, old friend?" said Macky and Richards felt momentary irritation at Macky not using his Christian name but he answered:
"Uh..., yes, of course. I cannot see why not. But I don't need to advise the inspector of coasts to keep close anything heard."
There was a knock at the door heralding Gay who apologised for the intrusion, but that having been to Richards office and not finding him, was convinced he would want to be notified immediately. Both men followed him to the guardroom. Inside there was the fetid smell of stale sweat and tobacco. The three prisoners were manacled to rings concreted into one of the walls.
Serjeant Gay provided Richards with information: "There is the English speaking man, sir."
Richards walks until he is a few yards from the man who looks at him with eyes bright with expectation. He says before Richards speaks:
"Prior, sir. Mathew Prior." Then Prior looks past Richards to Macky who is some way away and he squints trying to recognise him. Richards turns round to Macky: "Sorry, John. On second thoughts you had best leave. It might change after I have reported to Brigadier Masham."
Macky acquiesces: "Certainly, old friend."
On hearing Macky speak, Prior cried: "Is that you John? God be praised. Tell him who I am."
Macky was non-commital: "All in good time, Mathew, old friend."
Richards spun round to Macky: "You know this man, John!"
Macky stupidly said: "Yes, from the Kit-Cat Club...."
Richards was suddenly angry: "Go John, or you will compromise me."
He turned round to Prior: "I must leave you, sir, for the time being."
He noticed Macky had left the guardroom. He went over, opened the door looked out and saw the retreating figure of Macky then closed the door. He addressed Gay: "Serjeant. I want four troopers, armed, at once.
Gay had the four men lined up in two rows in a minute. Richards ordered: "Follow me."
He took the armed party to Macky's door. He opened it without knocking. Once inside he barked:
"John Macky. It is my duty to arrest you on a charge of disclosure of information without authorisation. You will be."
He got no further as protests interrupted his speech: "Old friend, old friend. Why are you doing this to me?"
"Do not 'old friend' me. I trusted you. Only moments before I warned you about disclosure. It was you who told me to be on my guard for the slip of tongue that reveals the spy. I did not expect the head of the secret service to be one such. Or are you testing me!"
Macky smiled and tried to charm his way out of trouble. He suddenly remembered Richards first name. He said: "Dick, old friend. We are both Englishmen. You are doing your duty. Yet we both serve the captain-general, do we not! He would be proud of you."
To his surprise, his friend retorted: "I serve someone higher than the captain-general, Mr Macky."
In answer Macky rummaged in his pocket and took out a document. On seeing it Richards said: "An express."
"From the captain-general appointing me Inspector of coasts between Harwich and Portsmouth; that is the reason I am here."
"Not high enough, John."
Macky slumped back in his chair. Serjeant Gay made his four men make their presence known ordering them to place their muskets at point. Richards went closer to Macky's table as he looked up and said:
"Who is higher than the captain-general, old friend?"
In answer, the captain removed his own orders and showing just the crest to Macky, said: "What about this?"
Macky said in astonishment: "Her majesty the queen!" After a few moments he said prosaically: "Someone has bungled. Nobody told me of your orders. It must be that new man, what's his name, St. John. I cannot imagine Mr Harley making such a blunder."
