“Gentlemen the cause for which you are convened this night is of the last’ importance, it is to make an enquiry which will involve the life and honnour of some individual or individuals amongst you. Two days ago a plan was broached in this place for attacking our enemies by night: they obtained intelligence of it & it was frustrated. Our business is now to discover how that intelligence reached them. I grieve to say that the words which you all heard the rebel-leader utter this day in the face of both armies have raised the horrible suspicion in my mind that it was by treachery. The traitor must be in this appartment & if he will now confess his guilt I solemnly promise to spare his life, but if he leaves it to be found out by another, then a death the most painful & dishonourable shall be his.”
The Duke ceased. his stern & keen eye scrutinized the counten
ances of all who surrounded him one by one as if he would by that means have read the thoughts passing in every heart. For some minutes not a word was spoken ; each regarded his neighbour with a visage in which awe, curiosity & aimless suspicion were strangely mingled. The dim torchlight of the pavillion however showed one person whose calm & noble features displayed none of these emotions but on the contrary something like a lurking smile played round the corners of his mouth, it was Colonel Percy, in a short time he rose & advancing to the table where the duke sat said in a low voice “ Will your grace permit me to speak?” “Certainly” was the reply.
“Then” continued the Colonel drawing his tall form up to the fullness of its majestic height, & cooly folding his arms “I have it in my power to reveal the wretch who betrayed his general & his comrades but before I mention the craven’s name he shall have one more opportunity of saving his worthless life. Conscience stricken Traitor step forward & avail yourself of that mercy which is even now passing away never to return “
a breathless pause followed this awful appeal, not a whisper sounded, not a foot or hand moved .
“You will not accept the offered boon?” said Percy in deep thrilling tones “then your blood be upon your own head, My lord,” he went on turning to the Duke while a supernatural light rose in his triumphant glance, “know that the base traitor sits at your right hand, yes the most Noble Ronald, Lord of St Clair, & cheiftain of Clan Albyn, has been bribed by the negro’s wealth to blot with treachery a scutcheon owned by a hundred Earls”
One universal exclamation of “impossible” broke forth at this strange accusation. Each member of the council started from his seat & an expression of astonishment amounting almost to horror appeared in every countenance. The Duke & St Clair alone sat unmoved.
“Sir” said the former calmly but somewhat sternly “The most ample proof of this bold charge must be furnished, or that punishment intended for the accused shall recoil upon the accuser”
“I accept your grace’s alternative” replied the Colonel bowing low “testimony is not wanting but first let me ask his lordship if he denies the charge”
“No” replied the Earl in a tone of startling vehemence, while he sprung from his seat as if actuated by some overmastering impulse, “No I scorn to deny the hellish falsehood, but I will prove its baseness on that tool of Satan with my sword”
as he spoke he snatched the weapon from its scabbard. “Gentlemen” said Percy wholly undisturbed by this action “that sword condemns him. mark it well & then tell me if such a one ought to be in the hands of a British Soldier.”
All eyes turned on the glittering blade, it was a curved Moorish scymitar the handle richly decorated with gems of the highest value.
“that certainly has not been purchased in Verdopolis my lord” said the Duke after examining it. “how did you obtain it?”
“I know not” replied St Clair regarding the weapon with evident surprise “it is not my own - I never saw it till this moment”
“Recollect yourself” continued his friendly Judge. “Did you take it up by mistake on the field of battle?” The Earl shook his head.
“Perhaps” observed Colonel Percy with a sneer “I could inform his lordship how it came into his possession, if your Grace will allow me to produce my witness.”
The Duke signified his assent & Percy advancing towards the tent door called out “Travers bring in the prisoner”. this summons was answered by the appearance of a footman leading a boy whose keen eye & shrivelled, ill-favoured features instantly proclaimed him to be no other than our friend Andrew.
“How is this?” exclaimed St Clair stepping back in amazement, “Why is that boy in your custodyf? I claim him as my vassal & as his liege lord have a right to know of what he is accused”
“he shall inform you himself my lord” said the Colonel significantlyf.
“No” interposed the Duke. “I should like to hear it from you Sir m the first place.”
“I found him my lord” returned Percy “beyond the proscribed boundaries of the camp early yesterday morning when I was going m>
rounds as officer of the watchf. on questioning him where he had been, he appeared much agitated & returned no answers but such as were inconsistent & evidently false. I then threatened to punish him severely if he did not speak the truth, this had the desired effect, he immediately confessed that he had been to the African Tents, further questions extorted from him the information on which I have grounded my charge against his master & which he is now ready to communicate to your Grace”
“Andrew “ said the Duke “come here, will you promise to answer me truly such questions as I shall now ask?”
“I will” said the boy laying his hand on his heart with great apparent sincerity.
“By whom then were you sent to the Ashantee Camp?” “By my lord the Chief.” “What forP”
“To deliver a paper which was sealed & directed to Quashie the second King of the liberated Africans” “Had you ever been there before?” “yes once.” “When?” “That same night” “& why did you go then?”
f”I was sent to ask for a certain reward which Quashie had promised my master some time before in case he would tell him of all that passed in such councils as he should attend” “Did you hear that promise made?” “Yes”
“at What time?”
the first night after we arrived here a black man came to my lord’s tent & offered him twelve ackies? (I think he called it) of rock gold if he would do as he wanted him,” “And your master consented?”
“Did you see Quashie When you went to his Camp?” Yes”
“What was he likef?”
“He was a young man & very tall, his nose & lips were not flat & thick like the other blacks & he spoke English.”
“The description you have given is very correctf. now tell me what the reward was you carried to your master.”
“There was a black box filled with something very heavy, a large mantle made of different couloured silk & a sword which Quashie took from his own belt” “Describe the sword”
“It was crooked, almost like a sickle & had a great many precious stones about the handle”
here a general murmur of surprise broke from the bystanders. the Duke however sternly rebuked them & went on.
“Do you know where the black box & silk mantle were put?” “Yes my master commanded me to dig a hole in the centre of the tent & bury them there.”
“Bobadil” said his Grace, “take one or two men with you to the Earl’s tent & see if you can find these articles,”
Bobadil made a deep & silent reverence & departed to execute his commission. General Leaf now advanced to the table.
“May I ausk” said he addressing the page in a tone which retained something of the ancient long-drawn twang, “Whather you were by yourself when you went to the Raubels?”
“No My master went part of the way with me the first time” replied Andrew.
“I thought so for the night before last whan I was returning from de counshel saupper, I saw a tall man & a little boy going towards the camp boundaries & the man was dressed in a green plaid such as laurd St Clair wears”
“That is conclusive evidence” observed Colonel Percy, “it’s corroborative” said the Duke “but I do not allow it to be quite conclusive”.
Steps were now heard approaching the door of the pavillion. & in another moment General Bobadil entered bearing a black box in one hand & a folded silk garment in the other. he silently deposited both on the table, the Duke first examined the latter article, it was one of those splendid Ashantee cloths which exhibit in their ever-varying hues all the vivid coulours of the rainbow, he then opened the casket & took out its contents which consisted of five double gold chains each two yards long, a collar & a pair of bracelets of the same costly metal, several ornaments in aggry beads & an amulet in a gold case blazing with the finest diamonds.
“Good God” said he when he had completed the survey “I could not have thought that these paltry trinkets would have purchased a British Soldiers faith. St Clair rise - let me hear your defence. I wish with my whole heart that you may be able to disprove all we have heard this night”
“My lord” said the Earl who had hitherto been sitting motionless with his head muffled in his plaid “I have no defence to make. Heaven knows my innocence, but how can I prove to man that all the seemingly fair & consistent evidence which has just been delivered is in reality a most Satanic compound of the deepest & blackest falsehoods, my destiny is at present dark & gloomy I will wait with patience till a better prospect rises”
So saying he folded his arms & resumed his former attitude, the Duke then proceeded to say that he should not yet pronounce sentence but should give the accused six weeks to collect witnesses & prepare for a formal trial, he informed him likewise that he should be instantly conveyed to Verdopolis & intimated his intention of repairing thither himself as soon as the rebellion should be finally quelled. The council now broke up & St Clair was removed by a band of soldiers to the tent usually appropriated to prisoners.
I must beg the reader to immagine that a space of six weeks has elapsed before he again beholds my hero, during which time he has been removed to Verdopolis & placed in one of those state dungeons that lie under the Tower of All nations. It was a gloomy place, a thousand feet below the upper world, the thick walls & the low roof elevated on short broad arches as massive as the rock whence they were hewn, admitted no sound however faint transient & far away by which the tenant of this living tomb might be reminded that near three millions of his fellow men were living & moving in the free light of heaven above him. The dead the dreary silence which hung in the grave-like atmostphere was however broken at intervals by a noise which low indeed & seemingly as distant as the earth’s central abyss yet shook the dungeon’s walls & as it reverberated among the other subterranean caverns which were excavated above below & around rung on the ear with a deep hollow boom that chilled the heart & brought the sweat-drops of terror to the brow. This was the clam-clam sounding through underground passages a thousand miles in length from the haunted hills ofjibbel Kumri.
Here on the evening of that day preceding the one appointed for his final trial, St Clair lay stretched on a bed of straw, a glimmering lamp was placed on the damp ground beside him, its feeble rays inadequate to dissipate the almost palpable darkness which shrouded the remote recesses of this fearful prison yet shed a faint dying light on the unfortunate nobleman’s wasted person & features. Not a trace remained of that bright bloom which health & youthful vigour had once communicated to his now wan & sunken cheek, the light of his eye however yet remained unquenchedf; the princely beauty of his countenance though faded was not destroyed.
Suddenly as a harsh, grating sound like a key turning in a rusty lock proclaimed the jailor’s approach he started from his recumbent posture & sat upright. It was full ten minutes before all the fastenings which secured the dungeon door were removed, but at length the last bolt was withdrawn & the heavy iron portals being unfolded gave admittance not to the jailor but to a tall man whose form & face were wholly concealed by the foldings of his ample mantle. With a slow & cautious step he advanced toward the Earl’s straw couch, & placing himself on that side which was most dimly illuminated by the lamp addressed him thus.
“Earl of St Clair if I mistake not you lie here on the charge of Treachery”
“And if I do” replied the prisoner whose spirit confinement had not in the least subdued “does that circumstance give strangers a right to insult me by the mention of it?”
“Certainly not” returned the unknown visitor unmoved by the indirect reproach which his words conveyed “Nor did I intend to insult you by the question I have just asked, my firm conviction is that you are innocent of the crime laid to your charge - do I err in that belief?”
“Do you err in a belief of your own existencef?” “I should think not”
“Be as certain then of the one fact as you are of the other & you will be right. “
“That is decisive” replied the stranger in a tone which revealed that a smile was curling his lip & then after a pause he added “My lord does not your trial for this false offence come on tomorrow?” “it does”
“& are you provided with evidence to disprove it?” “No & I doubt not that before forty eight hours go by I shall have fallen a victim to the hate of a malignant enemy. Yes the last son of the lords of Roslyn will go to his grave branded with the name of traitor” “Not if I can help it!” said the unknown “and I will do my utmost” “Stranger you are kind but what alas is it in your power to effect? the evidence against me is strong, the web of deceit has been woven with impenetrable art.”
“Oh but fear nothing. Truth shall prevail at last. tell me only who your concealed enemy is” “Colonel Percy, my accuser”
“I thought as much, & now I come to the object of my visit to you in this loathsome dungeon; why does he hate you?”
“Before I answer that question I must know who it is that asks me” “That cannot be” replied the Stranger drawing his ample cloak more firmly round him. “Thus far however I may say. I am the person who sometime since warned you to beware of Colonel Percy. I was present when the charge was brought against you & as I know something of the accuser’s character & disposition I was led to suspect the truth of what he said knowing that nothing but a motive of the most powerful kind could induce him to be so active in an affair of that nature. I ask you to inform me what that motive is if you will be candid with me the young vulture shall miss his prey this time.”
“Sir” replied the Earl “there is something in your voice which tells me I ought to trust you. Know then that I loved a woman who as I thought was the most beautiful & excellent of her sex. the Colonel was my rival and -”
“You have said enough” interrupted the stranger “I need no more to convince me fully of your perfect innocence. In such a case I know Colonel Percy would never rest till he had wreaked on his rival the deepest & deadliest revenge were that rival his own brother, the whole black conspiracy is now revealed: he is the traitor & heaven willing he shall die the traitor’s death. Tomorrow when you are called upon to produce evidence of your innocence do not hesitate to say that there is one in the court who if he will can prove you guiltless of the crime, leave the rest to me & now farewell I hope to-morrow night you will lay your head on a different pillowf “Farewell” said St Clair warmly grasping the stranger’s hand “& doubt not my unknown friend that a Roslyn will know how to recompense those who have saved his honour”
with these words the Earl fell back on his lowly pallet, while the stranger hastened to regain the upper Earth which he had quitted to fulfil his benevolent erand.
CHAPTER THE EIGHTH
The old Hall of Military Justice (it has lately been pulled down and a new one erected in its stead) was a vast & gloomy building, surrounded by Galleries & surmounted by a huge dark dome upheld by massive columns the shadow of whose ponderous shafts united with the louring roof diffused around an air of profound & appropriate solemnity, here on the 25th of September 1814, upward of ten thousand people were assembled to view
the trial of the Earl of St Clair for high Treason. The Duke of Wellington occupied the principal seat among thejudges who were twelve in number. A degree of intense interest contracted every brow as the noble prisoner loaded with irons & attired in the striking costume of his clan was led by a guard of soldiers into the centre of the hall. None could behold his lofty bearing his majestic form, his youthful & handsome features, & the stately gait with wich he moved in spite of his heavy fetters, without experiencing an involuntary conviction that he who stood before them was no traitor.
The first step taken by the court was to demand a recapitulation of the evidence which had already been adduced, this was accordingly gone into: the jewels, the amulet, the cloth, & the sword were all sedulously displayed & it appeared that nothing was wanting to prove the prisoner’s guilt in the most satisfactory manner. “He is lost beyond redemption” was the general feeling which prevaded the bosom of every spectator. The Earl was now called upon for his defence, slowly he rose & with a calm dignity of manner proceeded to assert his innocence & deprecate the clemency of his Judges .
“My Lords” said he rising in energy as he went on “I do not implore an acquittal . that would be the part of a man who conscious of guilt seeks mercy as a boon. no I claim it, it is my right, I am innocent & I demand to be treated as such, I conjure you to do your duty, believe the word of a nobleman whose honnour till now was never doubted & reject that of a - what shall I call him - of a man who to speak in mild terms is well known utterly to disregard both truth & honour when injuries either real or supposed awake in his bosom the blood-thirsty passion of revenge. And my lords for the other witness” (here he turned his full dark eyes on the perjured page who shrunk as if blighted by his glance) “I know not what demon has possessed my vassal’s breast what hell-born eloquence has persuaded the orphan who since his birth has existed only on my bounty, to aid in the destruction of his lord & benefactor, but this I know they who shall condemn me for such cursed testimony will sin both in the eyes of men & angels. My lords avoid the sin for the sake of that Justice whose servants you profess to be & whose image stands there the Guardian of your hall.” (every eye turned as he spoke to the colossal statue of Justice which stood conspicuous in the light of the lofty window. meantime the Earl continued) “My lords avoid it for your own sake for I warn you the last St Clair will not die unavenged. There are on the heights of my own Elimbos ten thousand unconquered warriors, seven times that number fierce as lions & free as the Eagles that furnish their crests dwell in the bosoms of those hundred glens that ruled by no sovereign controled by no laws lie among the wild Branni Hills. And when the news that I am dead that the house of their chief is fallen, that his name & fame are blasted shall reach these wild sons of the mist, let my rers who cut me off with the sword & under the mask of Justice tremble in their high places. My lords I will say no more, do as you list & gather the fruit of your deed.”
Delphi Complete Works of the Brontes Page 241
