The King's Esquires Part 33

"No, Sire."

"Boy, it is the first time in my recollection that I have been refused obedience. Why do you stay me?"

"My master, Sire, has ordered me to keep strict guard here."

"Hurst, what am I to do to this obstinate fool?"

The chamberlain stepped forward.

"Boy," he said, "it is from sheer ignorance that you place yourself in such a position of danger. Sheathe your sword at once, sir, and let his Majesty pa.s.s. Do you not know that there are guards here at every turn?

My royal master's guests will be well protected without your aid."

Denis stood motionless, and made no attempt to stir.

"Do you hear, sirrah!" roared the King. "I am in no humour to wait longer. Stand back."

This was too much for the determination of the young esquire. It was a king who spoke, and drawing back slightly, he yielded to circ.u.mstances, feeling that his puny efforts were in vain, and guarding the door no longer, he thrust his sword back into its scabbard and stood aside.

"Ah!" cried the King, growing mollified upon seeing himself obeyed, and looking admiringly at the lad. "Not bad, Hurst, for a mere boy," he said. "May I always be as well served by followers of mine. There," he continued, stepping forward towards the door, and looking back at Denis, "you can follow me, and I will make your peace with your lord, for I am master here."

He tapped sharply at the panel of the door with the hilt of his sword, and Denis heard him breathing heavily as if after some great exertion; but there was no reply, and he tapped again, with the same negative result. Then with an angry snort he said mockingly:

"Our young esquire seems to have reason on his side, and the Comte must be asleep. Am I to leave him to his slumbers, Hurst? But maybe he will sleep the better after awakening and hearing all I have to say. Open the door, Hurst. Bah! I need no help for this." And, brushing by the chamberlain, he noisily raised the latch, thrust open the door, and entered the room.

It was the ante-chamber, with the couple of candles burning on the mantel. The richly embroidered cloak lay upon the couch where it had been hurriedly thrown, and the valise lay ready packed and strapped.

The King's eyes flashed as the valise caught his eye, and crossing the room quickly he made for the door of the sleeping chamber, which was ajar.

There was no pause to ask for entrance here, for now fully roused, the King thrust open the door, with the light from behind him falling fall upon the unpressed bed.

"Hah! What I expected," cried the King angrily. "This way, Hurst.

There is mystery and trickery here."

As he was speaking the clock from one of the turrets was chiming loudly, the sounds of the bells seeming to quiver in the still air and mingle with the faint strains from the room where the dancing was still going on.

The chamberlain rushed forward, looked sharply round, and made for the cas.e.m.e.nt; but it was closed and fastened inside.

"The boy on guard, Sire, and no one here!" cried the chamberlain. "I do not understand."

"Nor I," cried the King; "but we will, and that right soon." Then making for the door, which had fallen back as the chamberlain entered, he dragged it open, crying angrily, "Boy, your master is not sleeping here. Where is he? What have you to say? Ha!" he roared, like the angry lion he had described himself to be. "Quick, Hurst! Our guards!

The boy has gone!"

CHAPTER THIRTY ONE.

LEONI'S WEAPON.

But as Hurst made a step forward to summon the guard the King caught him by the wrist.

"By my faith," he e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed, "there is black treachery here! Am I in my own palace or in a tavern? These fellows come and go as if the place were their own. A mystery too. But by the crown I swear I'll solve it!" And for a few moments he stood fuming. "Here, Hurst," he said hoa.r.s.ely, "your brains have been sharper than mine, and I'm beginning to think you are right about that portrait. Amba.s.sador--poet--brilliant conversationalist--one who has won himself into favour with us all.

Hah!" he went on. "He can be no Comte de la Seine! Can you ever trust a Frenchman? But come on!" And he led the way back into the long gallery. "I've got ears like a cat to-night," he said; "but unfortunately not the eyes of one. Surely those were footsteps down yonder?"

"Yes, Sire," said Hurst. "Beneath that window--a white doublet!"

"Yes," cried the King. "Come on!"

"But the guard, Sire? Shall I gammon them?"

"No, no," cried the King impatiently. "This is exciting. We will be our own guard, and find out the truth ourselves."

The King and the chamberlain had not gone many yards along the gallery when they they came to a halt, for a figure barred the way.

"Who goes there?" came from out of the gloom.

"Pst!" said the King. "Young Carrbroke.--England!" he cried.

The figure came nearer, into the light of a window--a slim figure in a white doublet; and the radiance of the moon flashed on a bared and shining sword.

"Your Majesty!" he exclaimed, and he dropped on one knee.

"Rise," said Henry. "You are on duty here?"

"Yes, Sire."

"Has anyone pa.s.sed?"

"No, Sire."

"You are certain?"

"Quite certain, Sire."

"Good. Come, Hurst!" And the two proceeded on their way, turning the corner of the long gallery, pa.s.sing from gloom to silvery light, and again into the dusk, as they walked beneath the windows, while at the angle the l.u.s.trous splendour was shed through red gla.s.s, falling brilliantly on the King's plumed hat, his sword and royal star, as the pair disappeared.

Carrbroke turned and looked after the retreating figures.

"I wish," he murmured, "that his Majesty had ordered me to follow him."

And he stood gazing in the direction the King and chamberlain had taken, till growing weary, he stepped aside into the shadow, where he could half seat himself, half lean against the end of a great settee. "How I do hate this guard work of a night! Yes, and there's the music still going on. I just heard one strain. All bright and gay yonder, and here all dark and dull. But it's an honour, I suppose, to be on the watch over the ways to his Majesty's private apartments, and have him come and find me here. It means promotion some day, such private service as this. I wonder where French Denis is? Dancing with the prettiest girl he can find, I'll be bound. Oh dear, how dreary it is! And I feel as if I could lie down and go to sleep."

Then with a start he was fully on the alert, ready to step out into such light as was shed through the window near.

"His Majesty coming back," he muttered, for quick steps were heard approaching, and a few moments later he stepped quickly out to bar the way as he did a short time before, and with a feeling upon him that he would show his master how well he was on the alert.

He challenged, fully believing that it was Henry and the chamberlain, and started violently on finding out his mistake, for it was Francis, who cried angrily:

"Who are you?"