The Splendid Spur | Page 9

and ah! to see dear Cornwall together!"
Now I myself was only a child, and had been made an orphan when but
nine years old, by the smallpox that visited our home in Wastdale
Village, and carried off my father, the Vicar, and my dear mother. Yet
his simple words spoke to my heart and woke so tender a yearning for
the small stone cottage, and the bridge, and the grey fells of
Yewbarrow above it, that a mist rose in my eyes too, and I turn'd away
to hide it.
"'Tis a ticklish business," said I after a minute, "to carry the King's
letter. Not one in four of his messengers comes through, they say. But
since it keeps you from the dice----"
"That's true. To-night I make an end."
"To-night!"
"Why, yes. To-night I go for my revenge, and ride straight from the inn
door."
"Then I go with you to the 'Crown,'" I cried, very positive.
He dropp'd playing with his curl, and look'd me in the face, his mouth
twitching with a queer smile.
"And so thou shalt Jack: but why?"
"I'll give no reason," said I, and knew I was blushing.
"Then be at the corner of All Hallows' Church in Turl Street at seven
to-night. I lodge over Master Simon's, the glover, and must be about
my affairs. Jack,"--he came near and took my hand--"am sure thou
lovest me."
He nodded, with another cordial smile, and went his way up the grove,

his amber cloak flaunting like a belated butterfly under the leaf less
trees; and so pass'd out of my sight.
CHAPTER III.
I FIND MYSELF IN A TAVERN BRAWL: AND BARELY ESCAPE.
It wanted, maybe, a quarter to seven, that evening, when, passing out at
the College Gate on my way to All Hallows' Church, I saw under the
lantern there a man loitering and talking with the porter. 'Twas Master
Anthony's lackey; and as I came up, he held out a note for me.
Deare Jack
Wee goe to the "Crowne" at VI. o'clock, I having mett with Captain
Settle, who is on dewty with the horse tonite, and must to Abendonn by
IX. I looke for you--- Your unfayned loving A. K.
The bearer has left my servise, and his helth conserus me nott. Soe kik
him if he tarrie.
This last advice I had no time to carry out with any thoroughness: but
being put in a great dread by this change of hour, pelted off toward the
Corn Market as fast as legs could take me, which was the undoing of a
little round citizen into whom I ran full tilt at the corner of Balliol
College: who, before I could see his face in the darkness, was tipp'd on
his back in the gutter and using the most dismal expressions. So I left
him, considering that my excuses would be unsatisfying to his present
demands, and to his cooler judgment a superfluity.
The windows of the "Crown" were cheerfully lit behind their red blinds.
A few straddling grooms and troopers talked and spat in the brightness
of the entrance, and outside in the street was a servant leading up and
down a beautiful sorrel mare, ready saddled, that was mark'd on the
near hind leg with a high white stocking. In the passage, I met the host
of the "Crown," Master John Davenant, and sure (I thought) in what
odd corners will the Muse pick up her favorites! For this slow,
loose-cheek'd vintner was no less than father to Will Davenant, our

Laureate, and had belike read no other verse in his life but those at the
bottom of his own pint-pots.
"Top of the stairs," says he, indicating my way, "and open the door
ahead of you, if y'are the young gentleman Master Killigrew spoke of."
I had my foot on the bottom step, when from the room above comes the
crash of a table upsetting, with a noise of broken glass, chairs thrust
back, and a racket of outcries. Next moment, the door was burst open,
letting out a flood of light and curses; and down flies a drawer, three
steps at a time, with a red stain of wine trickling down his white face.
"Murder!" he gasped out; and sitting down on a stair, fell to mopping
his face, all sick and trembling.
I was dashing past him, with the landlord at my heels, when three men
came tumbling out at the door, and downstairs. I squeezed myself
against the wall to let them pass: but Master Davenant was pitch'd to
the very foot of the stairs. And then he picked himself up and ran out
into the Corn Market, the drawer after him, and both shouting "Watch!
Watch!" at the top of their lungs; and