The Tavern Knight | Page 5

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 side, and complain I will. We shall see whether the King permits an old soldier who has followed the fortunes of his family these eighteen years to be flouted by a malapert bantam of yesterday's brood!"
The subaltern paused in dismay. Some demur there was in the gathered crowd. Then the officer fell back a pace, and consulted an elderly trooper at his elbow. The trooper was of opinion that the fugitive must have gone farther. Moreover, he could not think, from what Sir Crispin had said, that it would have been possible for Hogan to have entered the house. With this, and realizing that much trouble and possible loss of time must result from Sir Crispin's obstinacy, did they attempt to force a way into the house, and bethinking himself, also, maybe, how well this rascally ruffler stood with Lord Middleton, the ensign determined to withdraw, and to seek elsewhere.
And so he took his leave with a venomous glance, and a parting threat to bring the matter to the King's ears,