The Tavern Knight | Page 5

me play this game, or, by the living God, I'll - " Without
completing his threat he leaned forward until Kenneth felt his hot,
wine-laden breath upon his cheek. Cowed by his words, his gesture,
and above all, his glance, the lad drew up a chair, mumbling in
explanation - intended as an excuse to himself for his weakness - that
he submitted since a man's life was at stake.
Opposite him Galliard resumed his seat with a mocking smile that
made him wince. Taking up the cards, he flung a portion of them to the
boy, whilst those he retained he spread fanwise in his hand as if about
to play. Silently Kenneth copied his actions.
Nearer and louder grew the sounds of the approach, lights flashed
before the window, and the two men, feigning to play, sat on and
waited.
"Have a care, Master Stewart," growled Crispin sourly, then in a louder
voice - for his quick eye had caught a glimpse of a face that watched
them from the window - "I play the King of Spades!" he cried, with
meaning look.
A blow was struck upon the door, and with it came the command to
"Open in the King's name!" Softly Sir Crispin rapped out an oath. Then
he rose, and with a last look of warning to Kenneth, he went to open.
And as he had greeted Hogan he now greeted the crowd mainly of
soldiers - that surged about the threshold.
"Sirs, why this ado? Hath the Sultan Oliver descended upon us?"
In one hand he still held his cards, the other he rested upon the edge of
the open door. It was a young ensign who stood forward to answer him.
"One of Lord Middleton's officers hath done a man to death not half an
hour agone; he is an Irishman Captain Hogan by name."

"Hogan - Hogan?" repeated Crispin, after the manner of one who
fumbles in his memory. "Ah, yes - an Irishman with a grey head and a
hot temper. And he is dead, you say?"
"Nay, he has done the killing."
"That I can better understand. 'Tis not the first time, I'll be sworn."
"But it will be the last, Sir Crispin."
"Like enough. The King is severe since we crossed the Border." Then
in a brisker tone: "I thank you for bringing me this news," said he, "and
I regret that in my poor house there be naught I can offer you wherein
to drink His Majesty's health ere you proceed upon your search. Give
you good night, sir." And by drawing back a pace he signified his wish
to close the door and be quit of them.
"We thought," faltered the young officer, "that - that perchance you
would assist us by - "
"Assist you!" roared Crispin, with a fine assumption of anger. "Assist
you take a man? Sink me, sir, I would have you know I am a soldier,
not a tipstaff!"
The ensign's cheeks grew crimson under the sting of that veiled insult.
"There are some, Sir Crispin, that have yet another name for you."
"Like enough - when I am not by," sneered Crispin. "The world is full
of foul tongues in craven heads. But, sirs, the night air is chill and you
are come inopportunely, for, as you'll perceive, I was at play. Haply
you'll suffer me to close the door."
"A moment, Sir Crispin. We must search this house. He is believed to
have come this way."
Crispin yawned. "I will spare you the trouble. You may take it from me
that he could not be here without my knowledge. I have been in this
room these two hours past."

"Twill not suffice," returned the officer doggedly. "We must satisfy
ourselves."
"Satisfy yourselves?" echoed the other, in tones of deep amazement.
"What better satisfaction can I afford you than my word? 'Swounds, sir
jackanapes," he added, in a roar that sent the lieutenant back a pace as
though he had been struck, "am I to take it that your errand is a
trumped-up business to affront me? First you invite me to turn tipstaff,
then you add your cursed innuendoes of what people say of me, and
now you end by doubting me! You must satisfy yourself!" he thundered,
waxing fiercer at every word. "Linger another moment on that
threshold, and d -n me, sir, I'll give you satisfaction of another flavour!
Be off!"
Before that hurricane of passion the ensign recoiled, despite himself.
"I will appeal to General Montgomery," he threatened.
"Appeal to the devil! Had you come hither with your errand in a seemly
fashion you had found my door thrown wide in welcome, and I had
received you courteously. As it is, sir, the cause for complaint is on my