The Blue Pavilions | Page 5

Runacles entered Harwich and advanced up the West Street side by side. Each had a bulky letter in his side-pocket, and the address upon each letter was the same. They talked but little.
On the right-hand side of West Street, as you enter the town, and a hundred yards or more from the town gate, there stood at that time a two-storeyed house of more pretensions than its fellows--from which it drew back somewhat. A line of railings, covered with ironwork of a florid and intricate pattern, but greatly decayed, shut it off from the roadway. The visitor, on opening the broad iron gate over which this pattern culminated in the figure of a Triton blowing a conch-shell, found himself in a pebbled court and before a massive front-door.
Neglect hung visibly over house and court alike as the two captains entered by the iron gate and looked around them with more trepidation than they had ever displayed in action. Grass sprouted between the pebbles and a greenish stain lay upon the flagstones. The drab frontage was similarly streaked; dust and rain together had set a crust upon the windows, and tufts of dark mossy grass again flourished in the gutter-pipes beneath the eaves.
Surveying this desolation, Captain Jemmy uttered a grunt and Captain John a "p'sh!" They fumbled in their pockets, drew out their two letters, and moved to the blistered front-door. A bell-pull, as rusty as the railings outside, depended by the jamb. Captain Jemmy tugged at it. It was noteworthy that whenever any effort had to be put forth, however small, the tall man stepped forward and the hunchback looked on. It was Captain Jemmy, for instance, who had, a moment before, pushed back the gate.
He had to tug thrice before a discordant bell sounded within the house, and twice again before footsteps began to shuffle along the passage.
A bolt was let down and the big door fell open, disclosing a small serving-girl, who stared upon the visitors with round eyes.
"Is your mistress within?"
"Mistress Salt is within, sirs; but--"
"But what?"
"She--she can't see you!" The girl burst into tears.
"Who the devil asked her to see us?" rapped out Captain Barker.
"You are to take these two letters," interposed Captain Runacles. Each captain held out his letter. "You are to take these two--blow your nose and dry your eyes--letters to your mistress at once--mind you, at once--and together--together, you understand, and--what in thunder are you whimpering about?"
"I c-c-can't, sirs."
"Can't! Why, in the name of--don't drip on 'em, I tell you! Why, in the name of--"
The iron gate creaked behind them, and the two captains turned their heads. A portly, broad-shouldered gentleman, in a suit of snuff colour, came slowly across the court, with both hands behind him, and a cane rapping against his heels.
"Dr. Beckerleg."
"Hey? Why--Captain Barker! Captain Runacles! Glad to see you both--glad to see you both home again! Also I'd be glad to know what you're both doing here, at such a time."
The captains looked at each other and coughed. They turned towards the doorway. The serving-girl had disappeared, taking their letters with her. Captain Barker faced round upon the Doctor.
"You said 'at such a time,' sir."
"I did."
"And why not at this time, as well as another?"
"God bless me! Is it possible you don't know?"
"It is not only possible, but certain."
The Doctor bent his head, pointed up at a window, and whispered; then went softly up the three steps into the house.
He left the two friends staring at each other. They stood and stared at each other for three minutes or more. Then Captain Barker spoke in a hoarse whisper.
"Jemmy, do you know anything about this--this kind of business?"
"Nothing. I was abroad, you know, when my own little maid--"
"Yes, I remember. But I thought, perhaps--say, I can't go home till--till I've seen the Doctor again."
"Nor I."
A dull moan sounded within the house.
"Oh, my God!" groaned Captain Runacles; "Meg--Meg!"
A lattice was opened softly above them and the doctor leant out.
"Go away--you two!" he whispered and waved his hand towards the gate.
"But, Doctor--"
"H'sh! I'll come and tell you when it's over. Where shall you be?"
"At the Three Crowns, down the street here."
"Right."
The lattice was closed again very gently. Captain Barker laid his hand upon the tall man's sleeve.
"Jemmy, we're out of this action. I thought I knew what it meant to lay-to and have to look on while a fight went forward; but I didn't. Come--"
They passed out of the courtyard and down the street towards the Three Crowns. Beneath the sign of that inn there lounged a knot of officers wearing the flesh-coloured facings of the Buffs, and within a young baritone voice was uplifted and trolling, to the accompaniment of clinking glasses, a song of Mr. Shirley's:
You virgins that did late despair To keep your wealth from cruel men, Tie up