The Brown Mask

by Percy James Brebner

  CHAPTER XXI

  LORD ROSMORE DICTATES TERMS

  Lord Rosmore thought little about the assizes as he supped alone anddrank his wine, unconscious of the many times he filled and emptied theglass. The hunting of fugitives was not to his taste, unless thefugitive chanced to be his personal enemy. He was sick at some of thecruelties he had been forced to witness; he hated and despised JudgeJeffreys, and almost shuddered at the thought of the punishment whichwas about to fall upon the crowd of ignorant peasants imprisoned inDorchester. Had he been judge he would have treated them leniently, andprobably no fear of the King's displeasure would have made him actotherwise; but for the furtherance of his own desires he had anotherstandard of morality. It was not a standard made to suit the presentcircumstances, but one that had guided him through life, the primitiveideal that what a man desires he must fight for and take as best he may.From his youth upwards he had coveted little that he had not obtained;the success was everything, the means used did not trouble him. If fairones failed, foul ones were resorted to, and his conscience troubled himnot at all. If, without hindrance to himself, he could return someservice for one rendered, he did so, and with a certain class of men andwomen won for himself a name for generosity. To withstand him, however,no matter in how small a thing, to baulk his aims and desires, directlyor indirectly, was to turn him into an implacable enemy, the moredangerous because no scruple of honour would weigh with him or directhis actions. At the present moment he knew three persons were opposed tohim--Gilbert Crosby; the fiddler, Martin Fairley; and Barbara Lanison.Had the first two been in his hands he would have destroyed them. If, toaccomplish this, false witnesses had to be found, he would have foundthem, and would have slept not one whit the less at night. He hated themboth, and was still scheming for their downfall. Had circumstances sochanced that these two were powerless to be of further danger to him, hewould still have hated them, would still have crushed them at the firstopportunity. He was not a man to forgive an injury.

  Truly, they were almost powerless to baulk him now, he argued, as hedrained his glass again. What could two men do in Dorchester at thepresent moment, with the town full of soldiers, and Jeffreys at hand todeal out summary justice? The brown mask no longer hid a person ofmystery; the features of Gilbert Crosby were known to dozens of men whohad been outwitted by him. He would not dare to walk the streets by day.As for this fiddler fellow, what power had he to cajole rough soldiery?He might work upon the superstition of Sir John Lanison at Aylingford,might play upon the heartstrings of a woman, but these hard-drinking,hard-swearing men were not likely to fall victims to his fooleries. Evenif he discovered where his mistress was lodged, he would not be able tocome near her.

  "I have played the trump card and taken the trick," laughed Rosmore."Now comes the taming of Mistress Lanison. I should hate her for defyingme did I not desire her so much."

  What he chose to think love was perhaps not far removed from hate. Helonged to possess, to bend to his will, to have the woman who stood forso much in the estimation of so many men. Self-gratification controlledhim, the desire that men should once again know how useless it was toattempt rivalry with him. He had a reputation to maintain, and he wouldmaintain it at all hazards. He had begun to weigh carefully in his mindthe plans he had formed, when the door opened.

  "Ah! you loveable little trickster!" he exclaimed as Harriet Payneentered. "Come and let me thank you. Gold and trinkets I have noneto-night; but--"

  "I do not want them," she said.

  "Love and kisses, my love and kisses," he said, drawing her on to hisknee. "I've spent wakeful nights thinking of you; now I am happy again."

  After a while she disengaged herself a little from his embrace.

  "Playing the traitor is not pleasant," she said.

  "It is a despicable game," he answered, filling a glass with wine andhanding it to her. "Drink confusion to all traitors."

  "That would be to curse myself."

  "You are so clever that I wonder you should think me capable of askingyou to do a treacherous action, even for love of me," said Rosmore. "Youshall know my great scheme now that you have so well earned fullpartnership in it. But tell me the whole story first. I heard of thedropped handkerchief. That was excellently conceived."

  Harriet told him of her visit to Barbara Lanison in London, repeatingalmost word for word what had been said. She told him of the journey toDorchester, almost acted for his benefit the part of sobbing andfrightened woman which she had played so well, and Rosmore laughed andapplauded her.

  "Excellent! Most excellent!"

  "And now?" said the girl, "what is to happen? What is in store for hernow she is in Dorchester? You swore to me that I should not be bringingher into the hands of Judge Jeffreys. Into whose hands have I deliveredher?"

  "Into mine," said Rosmore.

  "For what purpose?"

  "To save her from herself. It is a long story, but you shall have itpresently. I shall still want your help."

  "You do not love her?" the girl questioned almost fiercely, "There arethose about you who believe that I am your plaything, useful to do yourbidding, only to be thrown aside when you have no more need of me."

  "Who has dared to say so? Tell me!" Rosmore was splendid in his suddenwrath, and Harriet Payne was a little frightened.

  "Nay, I will not injure anyone. It is natural for a man to think soseeing what you are and what I am."

  Rosmore turned her towards a mirror on the wall.

  "Learn, mistress, to value yourself at something nearer your true worth.I see in the mirror as dainty a piece of womanhood as this fair land,with all its treasures of beauty, holds. Hast heard of Trojan Helen,that woman who was a world's desire, whose beauty made men sigh for heruntil they fell ill with their desire; for whom two nations fought,pouring out their noblest blood for her possession through ten longyears, and at the end dooming a city to flames and massacre? I would nothave you so like this ancient Helen that all the world should be myrival, for then could I not hope to have my arms about you as now theyare; but as she was fair, so are you; as beside her all women werenaught, so to me are all women naught beside you. Kiss me, and, if youwill not tell me who has done me such slander, at least know this thatthey were lying words which he spoke."

  She kissed him, contented.

  "Then you will not treat her harshly?" the girl said. "Mistress Lanisonis a true, brave woman; I would not have her hurt in any way."

  "It is my desire to help her, as I will show you presently," Rosmorereturned. "Tell me what she has said to you. Two women in adversity evergrow confidential."

  "I do not know whether she loves Mr. Crosby--I think there are barrierswhich even love cannot break down--but she is willing to make some greatsacrifice for him, that is why she consented to come to the West. Nosooner were we lodged in Dorchester than she sent me with a message toJudge Marriott praying him to go to her."

  "And you delivered the message."

  "I made pretence of doing so, but told her that I could not get speechwith the judge."

  "You are as wise as you are fair," said Rosmore. "I must see Marriott atonce. He is a blundering fool, this judge, and might ruin everything.Tell me, have you seen Mr. Crosby since he fled from Lenfield?"

  "And you threatened to have my shoulders bared and whipped!" laughed thegirl. "No, I have not seen him since then."

  "It was the bare shoulders I thought of, not the whipping, you witch."

  "Now, tell me your purpose concerning Mistress Lanison," said the girl.

  "She is a woman in love," said Rosmore, "and loves not as her guardianwould have her do. It is the usual way of women who have guardians. Hadyou such an ogre to direct your actions and you loved me, he would becertain to have some other lover for you and would hate me. This isMistress Lanison's case, and although she does not like me, I would doher a service and outwit her guardian. I would--"

  He stopped suddenly. There were footsteps in the passage, and Harrietslipped from his knee and was standi
ng sedately at a little distancefrom him when the door opened and a servant entered.

  "Judge Marriott is asking to see you, my lord."

  "I was thinking of him. Bring him in." Then, as the servant departed, heturned to Harriet: "Come this way, into this other room."

  "Your room!" she exclaimed. "I would not have anyone find me here."

  "No one shall enter unless they kill me first upon the threshold. Haveno fear. You could not leave the house unseen by Judge Marriott, and Iwould not have him see you for the world. He is foul-mouthed andfoul-minded. Let the curtain fall close, so, to keep from you as much ofhis conversation as possible."

  Lord Rosmore crossed the room to meet his guest as the door opened.

  "This assize work makes one thirsty, Rosmore, and, hearing you hadarrived, a longing came over me to drink a bottle with you."

  "You are welcome. Within a few minutes I should have been knocking atyour door had you not come."

  "Good! Then we may have an hour's peace. The town's astir, Rosmore;there'll be great doings in Dorchester. Do you hear what that wagJeffreys has done? He has had the court hung with scarlet to mark theoccasion. He does not mean his lesson to die quickly out of the memory."

  "That is what they mean, then, by 'Bloody Assizes.' I heard the namewhispered as I entered the town."

  "Oh, they were quick enough to see that this was no ordinarydispensation of law," laughed Marriott. "The dogs are sleepless andtrembling to-night, I warrant."

  "Aye, it is certainly the King's turn now, and I would he were makingbetter use of his opportunity."

  "What a glutton you are, Rosmore. There are over three hundred prisonersin Dorchester alone."

  "And most of them might be released," was the answer. "Such clemencywould do more for the King" than will be accomplished by this revengefulspirit."

  "Since when have you turned sentimental?"

  "I think I was born with a horror of wholesale injustice."

  Marriott laughed, then grew serious.

  "We are old friends, Rosmore, and there is no danger in free speechbetween us, but it would not be wise to say such things in the hearingof Jeffreys."

  "Even Jeffreys may have a weak spot to touch which would be to compelhim to silence. Most men have."

  "They hide it successfully as a rule."

  "Or think so," said Rosmore. "Amongst these three hundred prisoners arethere any of importance?"

  The judge shrugged his shoulders.

  "Not in our world. I dare say in this neighbourhood there are a few withsome standing."

  "You have had no personal appeals made to you?"

  "Many, but none which counted," and then Marriott dropped his voice to awhisper. "The escape of anyone you are interested in might be arranged."

  "I might even contrive that without your assistance, eh, Marriott,"laughed Rosmore. "He who holds the key can easiest open the door. Don'tlook so astonished, man. It is an open secret that, from the Kingdownwards, personal aims enter into this rebellion. Jeffreys has his, astretching out towards power; you have yours, which are no concern ofmine; I have mine, which are nothing to you."

  "You are too honest, and perhaps you bark too loudly," said the judge,glancing round the room.

  "I take care to examine walls well before I live between them," saidRosmore; "but see for yourself. This curtain hangs before the door of mybedroom, this before a window looking into a side street," and he drewthe curtains aside for a moment to show that he spoke truly.

  Marriott nodded and drank more wine.

  "We can talk quite freely," said Rosmore, seating himself again at thetable opposite to his guest. "There is a woman you have promised to helpshould she ask you."

  "No; you are mistaken."

  "Think, Marriott. The promise may have been made at Aylingford Abbey."

  "Do you mean Mistress Lanison?"

  Rosmore nodded his head slowly.

  "Ah, yes, I did make some kind of promise," said Marriott. "A gallantry,Rosmore, and I would make my words good if I had the chance."

  "And the bribe?" Rosmore asked.

  "As you have just said, that can be no concern of yours."

  "That is not so certain. It happens that you have the chance. MistressLanison is in Dorchester--a prisoner."

  Marriott sprang to his feet.

  "The devil! Who had her arrested?"

  Rosmore shrugged his shoulders.

  "I do not know, but the fact remains, she is a prisoner. This I can tellyou, she journeyed to the West to appeal to you on behalf of GilbertCrosby, and was arrested on the way."

  "But Crosby has not been captured?"

  "Don't you think you and I could make up our minds that he has?" saidRosmore.

  "I do not see the necessity. My influence will have to be exerted toprocure her release. I shall have kept my word, and--"

  "And the reward?" asked Rosmore.

  "It will not be so great that it will be beyond her power to pay," wasthe answer.

  "Shall I make a guess?" said Rosmore. "If your influence is exerted,Barbara Lanison becomes the wife of Judge Marriott. Ah! I see I have hitnear the mark. I have another plan. You shall write me two orders, onefor the release of Mistress Lanison, the other for the release ofGilbert Crosby. The execution of these orders shall be at my discretionas to time. They may be given because of your love for her, if you will,but you must be self-sacrificing and claim no reward."

  "My dear Rosmore, if you are serious, your impudence is colossal, if youare in jest, I fail to see the point of it."

  "I have not come to the point, for jest it is, and one you may profitby. Sit down again and fill your glass--we can enjoy the joke together.Although you do not ask for any reward, you get one--five hundred or athousand guineas, the exact amount we can decide, but at any rate agoodly sum for two scraps of paper. I should advise you to close withsuch an offer."

  "Still the jest does not appeal to me."

  "No?"

  "You want Mistress Lanison--"

  "Released," Rosmore interrupted sharply.

  "She shall be, but in my own fashion."

  "In mine, I think," said Rosmore quietly.

  Marriott rose to his feet again, his face purple with anger. A string ofoaths and invectives poured suddenly from his lips.

  "You are not in court, Marriott, and I am not a prisoner," said Rosmorequietly. "Do you happen to remember a prisoner who was tried some monthsago? Was his name Josiah Popplewell?"

  The judge was suddenly silent, and his purple face became livid.

  "He was a rich merchant in the City, I fancy, full of crime and treason,and, moreover, very wealthy. His wealth was tempting to--let us say tothose in high authority, and there was plenty of evidence against him,manufactured, perhaps, but still apparently irrefutable. At the crucialmoment, however, there came forward a witness who, in the clearestmanner, was able to prove that the evidence was false, and Popplewellgot off. That is the case from the world's point of view. But there wasanother side to it. This witness was well paid, and by whom do youthink? By the judge himself, who accepted an immense bribe from theprisoner. I wonder what the King would have to say if he knew, or inwhat estimation Judge Jeffreys would hold his learned brother? Do youremember the case?"

  "A pretty story. I wonder if you could prove it?"

  "Easily. The witness named Tarrant is in my employment. He declares thatthe judge made an effort to have him accidentally killed, not unwisely,perhaps, for the man has in his possession a scrap of writing whichwould ruin the judge."

  "It is a lie."

  "I have seen the writing," said Rosmore. "I could lay the case beforeJeffreys whilst he is in Dorchester. That might make a sensation.Amongst the gibbeted wretches we might see hanging one of the judges whohad been sent to punish them; that would be more original than a courthung with scarlet."

  Marriott sat down slowly.

  "Your glass is empty, let me fill it," said Rosmore. "Shall we say fivehundred guineas for the two orders, no further ques
tions asked, andpresently, when the prisoners are in safety, the return of thatincriminating scrap of paper?"

  "You swear that--"

  "My dear Marriott, I have not mentioned the name of the judge, why tellme what you chance to know of the story?"

  "You shall have the orders," Said Marriott.

  "Here are paper, ink, and pen."

  Rosmore watched him as he wrote.

  "Will that suffice?" Marriott asked.

  "It is worded exactly as I would have it."

  "So Mistress Lanison--"

  "Did we not say no further questions?" asked Rosmore, smiling. "Whatshould you say if I made a match between her and this notorioushighwayman, Gilbert Crosby?"

  "You must catch him first."

  "Should you see him in Dorchester, you will do me a service by havinghim arrested. With this paper I can have him released at a convenienttime. You are going? There is still wine in the bottle."

  "Just enough for you to drink to the success of your night's work," saidMarriott savagely.

  "And to your health," Rosmore answered as he crossed the room with hisguest.

  As the door was closed, Harriet Payne took hold of the curtain to drawit aside, but paused in the act of doing so. Her eyes, wide open andfixed, stared at the curtains which hung on the opposite wall across thewindow. A hand, a man's hand, grasped them. Then they parted silently,and fell together again, slowly and silently.

  Rosmore did not wish to be disturbed again, but the lock was stiff andthe key difficult to withdraw. With a sigh of satisfaction he turnedpresently, but the Sigh became a sudden gasp of astonishment.

  Against the background of the window curtains stood Gilbert Crosby!